Thursday 23 May 2019

Osteoarthritis in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment

Osteoarthritis affects senior dogs commonly. It results in everyday occurrence of pains and aches and makes Fido uncomfortable and lethargic. Here are some tips to curtail the pain and provide your pooch with comfort.

Thanks to the advancements in veterinary medicine, most dogs now live to a ripe old age. It is comforting news for pet owners. However, what come with this win-win situation are pain, aches and discomfort. Age related diseases rarely fail to distress senior dogs. Several types of arthritis affect canines; the most common one being the degenerative form. It is known as Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis in dogs

With time and age, the cartilage which serves to protect and cover the bones begins to thin. Cartilage thinning leads to the deterioration of the underlying bones. What’s more, the narrowing gap between the bones causes friction, thereby resulting in inflammation and pain. Well, Non-steroidal Anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like Rimadyl for dogs can treat the pain effectively.

Constant administration of these drugs enables your pooch to jump, run and play like ever before. However, it is important to remember that cheap pet meds online administered without the advice of the vet may prove detrimental for the pet’s health.

Moreover; although the causes and symptoms of Osteoarthritis in dogs and humans are similar, drugs administered for humans are unsafe for our animal companions. Pet owners must therefore, steer away from providing immediate relief by giving their pooch Tylenol from their medicine box or from the nearby pharmacy. Ideally, pet owners must visit the vet on observing the first signs of pain and discomfort.

Symptoms and Treatment

Dogs are great at masking pain. Odds are high that the outward symptoms of Osteoarthritis are seen after the bones are badly damaged and bone surfaces are significantly worn away. Pet owners must therefore take additional caution in observing the slightest symptoms of pain and discomfort in their senior dogs. They are visible. When jumping on their favorite chair is not their choice anymore, walking the stairs is challenging and lying down is accompanied with a moan, then the pooch is certainly in pain.

Here’s what pet owners can do to help relieve the everyday occurrence of pains and aches in their senior dogs.

•    Visit the vet as soon as the first signs of pain and discomfort are visible. Proper diagnosis will enable immediate treatment and control the disease from worsening. Most vets prescribe NSAID’s like Rimadyl for dogs. These drugs provide comfort and longevity to the pet. However, they also suffer from certain side effects. So, constant monitoring and frequent visits to the vet’s clinic are essential. It also helps in changing the treatment plan as required.

•    As dampness and coldness worsen the pains, providing the dog with a padded bed with warm compresses is helpful.

•    Although exercise seems challenging for an arthritic pet, putting a full stop can worsen the situation. Providing a soft surface for activity helps.

•    Hiring a trained massage therapist is advisable. Massage provides pain relief and comfort to an aching pet.

•    Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements curtail further damage to joints. They also improve joint mobility and support better functioning of the joints.

•    Surgery may help in acute conditions. Pet owners can discuss this with the vet.

Apart from this, careful administration of the pain medications is essential. Moreover, all cheap pet meds online are not fake. However, it is important to assess the reliability of online pharmacies before purchasing from them.

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