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Dog Health and Care Dog Arthritis Treatments - Totally Natural and Safe Remedies to Help
Dog Health and Care Dog Arthritis Treatments - Totally Natural and Safe Remedies to Help | Dog Arthritis Treatments - Totally Natural and Safe Remedies to Help |
| Written by Helga Schmitt | ||||||||
| Sunday, 19 July 2009 | ||||||||
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A slow and debilitating disease of the joints is what Arthritis is all about. A dog can suffer from pain in the joints as it ages. This is due in large part from the inflammation and degradation of the cartilage which in turn causes disabilities along the way. The joint capsule needs to heal and nourish itself continually. It cannot do this if the cartilage has been injured and is releasing inflammation-causing enzymes, disrupting the elasticity of the joint.
A slow and debilitating disease of the joints is what Arthritis is all about. A dog can suffer from pain in the joints as it ages. This is due in large part from the inflammation and degradation of the cartilage which in turn causes disabilities along the way. The joint capsule needs to heal and nourish itself continually. It cannot do this if the cartilage has been injured and is releasing inflammation-causing enzymes, disrupting the elasticity of the joint. Dogs have a tendency to not vocalize if they are in pain from sore joints. Some of the signs may be a dog that is reluctant to go on long walks anymore. The procedure of laying down can become quite an ordeal for them, struggling to get down and to get up. Stairs become difficult to navigate, they may show signs of lameness and to jump up or down from couches or beds becomes impossible. The most common joints affected are the hips, elbows and knees. Dysplasia is a developmental disease they acquire as puppies and usually appears when they are one or two years old. Once the damage of arthritis is done, it will not go away, although the severity of the symptoms can be reduced. Non-surgical management is a three step line of attack; weight control, exercise, and pain relief to increase the quality of life and slow down the progression. A normal joint is made up of a joint capsule, synovial fluid, articular cartilage and subchondral bone. The integrity of a joint capsule is important for the production of hyaluronic acid and defense mechanisms, and a smooth gliding function. Proper synovial fluid production is required to ensure metabolic waste removal from the cartilage as well as supplying nutrients and lubrication. A familiar term for Osteoarthritis is the wear and tear disease. Further pain and damage in the joint is caused by the subchondral bone becoming thicker and placing a heavier load upon the cartilage. This joint capsular thickening from the low-grade inflammatory process, ends up creating a decreased range of motion and reduction in functioning. Chondroprotectants and Nutraceuticals are effective and popular for treating dogs with arthritis. A thorough treatment plan for arthritis includes weight loss, exercise modification, physical rehabilitation, pain management, nutritional therapy and possibly surgery. By reducing the weight of the dog, it lessens the forces placed upon the abnormal joint surfaces. Any dog with hip dysplasia will only benefit from a reduction in their weight. Swimming is the ultimate exercise for a dog with arthritis. All of the joints are mobilized without excessive strain and weight placed upon them. They reach a great range of motion and actually feel good while exercising. Omega-3 fatty acids help with dog arthritis pain. They prevent inflammation, degeneration of the joint, normalize the immune system, and prevent abnormal cell growth. Good sources of Omega-3 are found in green leafy vegetables, flax seeds/oil, green-lipped mussels and in cold water fish oils. The quality of oils will vary; look for organic cold pressed oils packaged in light resistant containers. Two products that have anti-inflammatory properties and are effective in slowing the progression of arthritis are chondroitin and glucosamine. These can be used safely in combination with other products. Both of these reduce swelling and help with pain. For the most absorbable, use Glucosamine HCL. Some herbal supplements that have been used for centuries in India are Boswellia and Tumeric. These naturally fight joint inflammation and are effective in reducing pain. Devils Claw and Ginger are also very helpful in the treatment of arthritis. One of the most effective treatments utilized and also used for centuries on people, is Acupuncture. This is extremely powerful in alleviating the pain and in the same breath can entirely change the course of the disease. Another method of treatment for arthritis is Homeopathy. Causticum is useful for an older dog that has less pain with heat. Rhus Tox is very effective for joints that are worse in cold damp weather and stiff upon rising. When the arthritis is worse with exercise and warm weather use Bryonia. Check with your dog's health care practitioner for correct dosages for your individual dog. Some simple modifications in the home can help with canine arthritis. Using ramps is very helpful for assisting with the dog getting up or down from places and instead of using stairs. Elevated food bowels minimize back and neck strain. Heated beds help with painful, stiff, achy joints. There are many options available for treating arthritis in dogs. Have surgery and drugs be a last resort, for the well-being of your dog. www.treatment-for-dogs.com About the Author: Helga Schmitt has been avidly studying and researching dog health, physiotherapy and rehabilitation actively for the past 20 years. She is a Chartered Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist and she holds a Certificate in Homeopathy. She strives to educate dog owners about healthy choices. For your Free dog Health Book and to read more on dog arthritis, go to www.treatment-for-dogs.com. Views: 115
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