Managing Dog Arthritis With The Right Treatment

Dog arthritis is such a painful condition and it affects many older dogs.

Like people, arthritis in dogs can appear in several different forms. Believe it or not, but Hip Dysplasia is a common form of Arthritis, but Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) actually affects more dogs than any other type.

Dog breeds with long backs and legs seem to be genetically affected more so than other breeds. Many believe (including us) that poor diet and environmental toxins can certainly worsen the symptoms of Arthritis by weakening the body's ability to protect itself against the toxins that are causing the inflammation.

In a healthy body, whether canine or human, the white blood cells target intruders such as infection or toxins by confining and killing them. When the body is in a weak state, the white blood cells mistakingly attack the fluid (synovium) that protect the joints aka Rheumatoid Arthritis.

We offer an excellent page on our blog for dog pain relief which details all of the different products available including prescription, non-prescription and natural dog products for eliminating pain due to both arthritis and hip dysplasia.

Dog Arthritis Treatment

•  Tramadol is a pain pill that works great for the pain associated with Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia. Said to be much safer than NSAids which are typically the drug of choice for these diseases. Combine it with a liquid glucosamine for additional support. Please don't forget to check out the natural alternatives before jumping into any form of prescription meds.

•  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) are the standard medications for treating arthritis in dogs by traditional veterinarians. Holistic vets will recommend a safer alternative therapy. Some of the most common are Rimadyl, Etogesic and Metacam. Nonsteroidal drugs must be used with caution and under the close watch of a Veterinarian.

•  Liquid Glucosamine works well for mild dog arthritis pain, but if your dog's pain is severe, then glucosamine may need to be used in addition to another supplement or alternative treatment.

  Plus, it's affordable for most. Human formula's are o.k. to use for pets just be sure the product is pure,all natural and contains NO SUGAR. Liquid Health formula for pets (see the link at the bottom of the page) receives many great reviews on Amazon.

•  Dog Probiotics help your dog to fight many health issues by strengthening his immune system. These are a must for every dog - young and old.

•  Adequan is a chondroitin (glucosamine) that is injected by your Veterinarian twice weekly for four weeks. We used Adequan on one of our dog's years ago as a safe alternative for our dog's pain.

•  Ar Ease is an herbal supplement designed specifically for easing the pain of your dog's arthritis.

  It's very high in vitamins and minerals and includes some powerful antioxidants to help with inflammation. We haven't used this product, but the reviews were pretty good.

•  Antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide Dismutase also known as "SOD" help by naturally removing damaging free radicals that are often found in diseases such as Arthritis.

  AOX/PLX includes four different antioxidant enzymes and from what we understand is helpful for more advanced stages of deterioration. You can check with your local health food store for availability.

•  Acupuncture is another treatment for reducing dog arthritis pain. You can can read more about our dog Jenna's accupuncture therapy for more information.

•  Weather change and cold conditions have an effect on your dog's arthritis. A warm orthopedic dog bed along with a doggie sweater are recommended. Always keep your dog's bed away from cold, drafty areas.

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