How to Manage Arthritis in Dogs

Studies indicate that about twenty percent of dogs get arthritis at some point in its life. The condition can be extremely uncomfortable for the dog. Unfortunately, there is no way of curing the progressive condition. However, you can manage it and make the dog a lot more comfortable. Below are a few of the ways you can manage arthritis in dogs.

Weight Control

The heavier your dog is, the more pain and discomfort it will experience from arthritis. That is because the bodyweight exerts more pressure on the joints, resulting in increased inflammation and pain. Helping your dog lose extra body weight will help manage the condition and minimize the symptoms. To help your dog lose weight, consider giving it a weight loss diet. Exercising can also help, but you need to choose the right types of exercises to ensure they do not make the condition worse. The exercise you choose should depend on how much the condition has progressed.

Using Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

You can also use NSAIDs to manage the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Such medications usually help to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. You can buy some of the medicines without a prescription. However, vets usually recommend a blood test before any anti-inflammatory drug is given to a dog. The blood test helps to determine if the dog’s kidneys and liver are in good condition and can handle the medication.

Another option for pain management that is becoming quite popular is the use of CBD oil. The increasing popularity behind cbd for dogs with arthritis is attributed to its effectiveness in relieving pain without causing any side effects. It also does not interact with other drugs.

Physical Rehabilitation

Physical rehabilitation can also help to manage arthritis in dogs. Such include physiotherapy, ultrasound therapy, and electric stimulation, among many others. Most of the techniques used in physical rehabilitation revolve around massaging, stretching, and strengthening the muscles that support the affected joints.

Surgery

When the condition becomes severe, most vets usually recommend surgery. Surgery can help to reduce the related pain and increase the function of the affected joints. One of the common surgeries performed to manage the condition is called arthroscopic surgery. The surgeon makes small incisions through which he can clean cartilage debris from the joint. Surgery can also be aimed at fusing joints, repairing bone deformity, or rebuilding the joint. In extreme cases, the entire joint can be replaced with an artificial one.

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