Pooch Power And Arthritis Treatment

As an owner of a dog with arthritis, I was happy to find out there are many options for arthritis treatments for dogs. Arthritis affects one in every five adult dogs and is one of the most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat.

So just what are you going to see if your dog has arthritis? Well, there are many tell-tell signs if Fido is suffering from arthritis. If this is the issue, then your pet may favor one limb over another one, your pet may sleep more and play less, your pet might have difficulty sitting or standing and naturally, your pet may even seem to have stiff or sore joints, especially after they have been sleeping for awhile. You might also see that your dog is more hesitant to climb stairs, run or even jump up on the couch. Playing Frisbee or catch may no longer seem like any fun for your beloved pooch. A generalized decrease in activities is often seen when your pet is suffering from arthritis.

If you suspect your dog has arthritis, then it is important to take your pet to their veterinarian for a physical evaluation so that your vet can decide if arthritis is indeed the culprit. If your dog has a confirmed diagnosis of arthritis, then your vet should talk with you about the many available arthritis treatments for dogs. While it may seem a bit strange, it really makes a lot of sense when you realize that many arthritis treatments for dogs are similar to that of humans.

First of all, it is vitally important that your pet maintains a healthy diet and gets the appropriate amount of exercise to help maintain proper weight. NSAIDS or Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common form of pharmaceutical arthritis treatment for a dog. This widely used class of drugs can help to provide pain relief to your dog. Also, there are many OTC, over-the counter, pet treatments such as pills or even dog food that can aide in treating your dog's arthritis. Some of the over the counter treatment options are glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, omega fatty acids and Boswellin. Talk with your vet about all of these options. Sometimes a combination of therapies will provide the most relief for your dog.

Glucosamine is a super charged sugar molecule that is a key component of the extra cellular matrix of cartilage. Glucosamine absorbs and releases water with each step your pet takes and so it acts like a shock absorber for the joints, making your dog more comfortable. Glucosamine also stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans. These important proteins are found in cartilage and are known to aid in slowing the deterioration of joints. Again, this can help to reduce your pet's pain.

Chondroitin sulfate serves to attract fluids into proteoglycan molecules which assist in two ways. First it draws nutrients into the cartilage and second it increases the flow of fluid into your cartilage to add resiliency. Chondroitin also helps protect existing cartilage from premature degeneration and provides structure and flexibility to your joints.

Constituents of fish oils, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents and help reduce pain wherever there is inflammation present.

Boswellin is another form of an over the counter medication that can aid in the arthritis treatment for dogs. Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. Boswellin also helps reduce swelling and improve mobility in stiffened joints.

The good news is that there are many different arthritis treatments for dogs and with aggressive treatment your beloved pet might even see improvement within a few weeks of beginning treatment. Don't try to treat your pet's arthritis without the help of your vet. Arthritis treatments for dogs can be rather complex and so it is best to work in collaboration with your vet to get the best result. Of course, your best friend deserves the best treatment available and with the many available arthritis treatment for dogs there is just no need for your pet to suffer with arthritis pain.

Make the call today and talk with your vet about your dog's symptoms. If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, then do the research, talk with your vet and make a decision to seek appropriate treatment.

Call your vet today. Do not delay. Your pet deserves better. Arthritis treatment for dogs is readily available!