As our furry companions grow old, the
health of their bones and joints will degenerate, which will lead to different
issues, such as inflammation and arthritis pain. It is a disorder that is
common and a bit daunting to manage. Given the specific circumstances, even the
younger canines can have arthritic changes. Pet owners have resulted in
different measures to improve the quality of their pet's life. Some opt for
traditional medicine, and others prefer natural joint supplements for dogs. They are practical, safe, and can be
used with Western Medicine.
What is Dog Arthritis?
Arthritis is a medical term that refers to
abnormal changes in our joints. It can start from damage in our tissue caused
by a previous infection. It can also be caused by congenital disabilities that
affect the joint structure or from trauma or stress on our joint. In some
instances, our immune system abnormalities can result in degeneration and
inflammation of the joint tissue. Before you determine the proper joint supplements for dogs, be sure to
find out the underlying cause of arthritis first.
For those who have pets suffering from hip
dysplasia, the arthritis is basically due to the misalignment and the improper
conformation of the stress points on our dog's coxofemoral joint. The wear and
tear rate of our dog's cartilage is a lot faster compared to their ability to
regenerate. During this instance, the bony surface will be exposed and can be
inflamed. The capsule that envelops the joint will be sensitive, less elastic,
and thicker. The blood vessels will dilate, leading to the inflammation and
swelling of the joint. Due to this, the motion of our dogs will be restricted.
Fortunately, with the help of joint supplements for dogs, we can ease their
pain and discomfort.
How Can Dogs Develop Arthritis?
Not too long ago, we initially thought
that the culprit of arthritis was natural wear and tear; however, according to
the research conducted at Stanford University, arthritis can be developed due
to low-grade and chronic inflammation. To help you understand, our dog's immune
system produces a protein that damages the joint. The protein will bind in the
joint that has cartilage, prompting them to make a higher amount of protein. It
will lead to chronic inflammation in the joints that can be addressed with joint supplements for dogs.
This inflammation is not only associated
with arthritis but with an array of health issues. According to Mayo Clinic,
Inflammation plays a crucial role in causing a lot of chronic diseases. Perhaps
some of you think that anti-inflammatory drugs can solve the issue, but
according to the latest study, NSAIDs can damage our dog's soft tissue and
joints. Perhaps the best solution for this problem would be joint supplements for dogs.
What are the Symptoms of Dog Arthritis
Arthritis affects the joints of our dogs
that can cause terrible pain. This pain is associated with different symptoms
that are associated with arthritis. Here are some of them.
·
Limping-You will
notice that your dog is utilizing one of his legs more or limping contingent
upon which of the legs are affected by the condition. Generally, this limping
can be more evident when your dog rises. As your dog warms up by doing his
daily activity, the limping will be less noticeable.
·
Difficulty in
Moving- You will notice that your dog is now reluctant to do the activities he
used to love. He may show some hesitations in climbing up and down the stair.
·
Spinal Problems-
The arthritis of our dogs will not only affect their legs, but it can also
occur in their spine. If they have a problem with their spine, they may
experience pain in their neck. They can also show a poor or abnormal posture.
·
Fatigue-Our furry
friends that are suffering from arthritis may show signs of fatigue. The
willingness of our dogs to walk will become shorter. They also spend the rest
of their day resting or sleeping. Joint supplements for dogs may provide
the best solution to improve their quality of life.
·
Irritability- If
the way you handle the dog aggravates the pain they are experiencing, they may
become irritable.
·
Muscular Atrophy- Due
to the reduced use of muscle and inactivity, our pet with arthritis will
decrease their muscle mass.
Natural Joint Supplements for Dogs
The joint
supplements for dogs typically constitute glucosamine that can be extracted
from the antlers of the deer, shellfish, or it can be prepared chemically in a
laboratory. The body naturally produces this amino sugar essential in making
glycoprotein and glycosaminoglycans. These components are the fundamental
elements of a healthy joint, cartilage, ligament, and tendons. It also ensures
that the joint has a proper supply of synovial fluid, which is a compound that
keeps its joints lubricated.
Additionally, you should also find joint supplements for dogs that contain
chondroitin. It is another natural substance that is extracted from the
cartilage of animals. It can also be found in beef cartilage, sea cucumber, and
shark fins. It can rebuild and protect our dog's cartilage by reducing the
friction of bones that gives them an elevated amount of comfort. Furthermore,
the combination of chondroitin and glucosamine can slow down the progress of
the joint's damage.
Natural Treatment for Dog's Arthritis
Due to the recent study that proves the
damaging effect of NSAIDs, it is wiser to find natural treatment apart from the
natural joint supplements for dogs. Various
traditional therapies can relieve the pain caused by arthritis. Perhaps the
easiest way to manage the pain they feel would be to maintain a desirable
weight. If the dog is obese, you need to control their diet and provide them
with activities that will help them lose weight.
Consult the Vet
You should also add foods that have an anti-inflammatory
effect on your dog's diet. Consult your veterinarians to ensure that the foods you
are giving to them are entirely safe. Remember that our dog's digestive system
is not designed to digest some foods that can cause blockage on their
intestines. Celery, papaya, and alfalfa are some foods that contain
anti-inflammatory properties that you may provide apart from the joint supplements for dogs.
Veterinary
hospitals are also providing physical therapy that can help rehabilitate
our dogs. They specialized in dogs with injuries and mobility issues. Different
natural treatments are introduced in this program, such as acupuncture and
hydrotherapy. Some of them also deliver training allowing you to provide therapy
for your dogs at home. A combination of natural treatment and joint supplements for dogs will produce
a fantastic result.
There are different joint supplements for dogs offered in the pet
market today. You will need to choose the supplement with a high efficacy
rate. Stay away from supplements that are processed using heat since it will
destroy the nutrient content of the supplement. You also need to check the
ingredients, be sure that it is high-quality and offers a powerful solution
against the arthritis of your dogs.
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