Canine arthritis is a common condition that causes joint pain and affects most puppies as they get older. Arthritis is a condition that can result from genetics, age, infection, disease, injury, or overuse, causing inflammation, swelling, or tenderness in one or more joints.
If your dog is suffering from arthritis, let’s see how you can help them.
Treating Arthritis in Dogs
There are a few things you can do at home or in collaboration with your veterinarian to help manage pain and improve joint health in dogs with arthritis.
A multifaceted approach to treating arthritis in dogs, combining different types of medications and joint supplements, is the best way to ensure quality of life and successful treatment.
Making changes to your puppy’s routine and environment can also help. Always consult with your vet before implementing any treatment plan for your puppy.
Here are some tips to help your dog with arthritis.
Weight management for dogs
Weight management is an important factor in relieving your dog’s joint pain.
Obesity puts increased pressure on joints, causing pain and discomfort. Keeping your dog’s weight under control can help reduce pain as they age.
Consult your veterinarian about your pet’s ideal weight and long-term weight management.
exercise
Physical therapy, massage, and daily exercise can help relieve your dog’s joint pain.
Consider getting some moderate exercise every day.
Start with short 10-15 minute walks, 3-4 times a day. Sticking to the same routine each day, without high-impact exercise like chasing a ball, running or jumping, is key to getting your dog to exercise without increasing stress or pain.
Talk to your veterinarian to see a certified small animal physiotherapist, who can teach your dog therapeutic exercises like passive stretching, range of motion exercises, controlled walking with obstacles, and using an underwater treadmill.
Physical therapy
Canine Physiotherapy It helps restore or improve mobility and quality of life. Physical therapy goals include weight loss, pain relief, reducing inflammation, increasing range of motion, improving balance, and strengthening muscles. Common physical therapy techniques include:
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Passive range of motion
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treadmill
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Underwater Treadmill
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Massage
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Therapeutic Exercise
Arthritis medication for dogs
While there is no cure for arthritis in dogs, there are some medications that can help relieve joint pain and inflammation. These include:
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play an important role in reducing pain and inflammation in your dog’s joints. Galiplant® (active ingredient grapiprant) is a prescription NSAID used to manage the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Other prescription NSAIDs include: Carprofen and MeloxicamThese prescription medications are the safest option for reducing pain and inflammation compared to over-the-counter non-veterinary products.
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Additional painkillers—There are also non-NSAID pain relievers that veterinarians may recommend to augment NSAID therapy. Gabapentin or tramadol. A muscle relaxant such as methocarbamol may also be added to the pain relief protocol.
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Adequan Injection—Adequan®A series of FDA-approved injections administered by your veterinarian has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation and increasing joint lubrication.
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Librera™—Librela™ is the first and only anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) monoclonal antibiotic (Mab) therapy used to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. It is injected once a month by your veterinarian.
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Corticosteroids—In some cases, steroids may be used short- or long-term to relieve arthritis inflammation and pain. Steroids and NSAIDs should never be used together, as they can cause side effects such as stomach ulcers. Tell your veterinarian what medications your pet is taking before adding steroids to their treatment plan.
Arthritis Supplements for Dogs
When looking for an arthritis supplement for your dog, look for one that contains the following ingredients:
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Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
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Glucosamine hydrochloride
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Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA)
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Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
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Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
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Chondroitin sulfate
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Green mussel
These are all known to support joint health in dogs.
For breeds prone to arthritis, it is recommended that they begin taking joint supplements from the age of 8 weeks. The following dog breeds are at highest risk of developing joint problems:
Always consult with your vet before feeding your puppy any supplements or food additives, as they may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal upset.
Joint supplements specifically formulated for dogs include:
Dog Food for Arthritis
Some commercial large dog diets contain omegas, glucosamine and chondroitin, while there are also veterinary diets formulated specifically for joint mobility.
Alternative Therapies
If you own a dog with arthritis, you may want to consider alternative treatments, which can be used in conjunction with your dog’s primary treatment to help ease joint pain.
Alternative therapies include:
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acupuncture—Acupuncture is the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. There is clinical evidence that acupuncture, combined with multimodal arthritis treatment, can help relieve chronic joint pain in dogs.
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Laser treatment—Low power lasers use penetrating light to bring oxygen and blood flow to the joints, reducing inflammation and pain.
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Shockwave therapy—Shockwave therapy uses high-intensity sound waves to reduce inflammation and treat arthritis.
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Electrical stimulation—Electrical stimulation, also known as neuromuscular stimulation, is used to strengthen muscles and reduce muscle weakness in dogs with movement disorders. Another form, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), can help with pain relief.
Lifestyle changes
Making some basic modifications to your home can help reduce your dog’s pain and anxiety.
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Anti-slip rug—Dogs with arthritis or joint pain may have limited mobility and fear walking on slippery surfaces like hard wood or tile, anticipating that they would be in pain if they fell.
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Using non-slip mats, rugs or carpets on slippery floors will allow your dog to move around the house without worrying about slipping. Placing non-slip rugs at the bottom and top of stairs and near sofas and beds will reduce impact on your dog’s joints and help reduce joint pain.
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Orthopedic Dog Bed—A comfortable, low to the ground dog bed Orthopedic Support This will help ease your dog’s joint pain and allow him to stand up effortlessly. To prevent injuries and pain when trying to stand up, provide thick bedding with non-slip mats in your pet’s favorite places to rest or sit.
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Blocked staircase—The stairs Pet gate To ensure the safety of your dog when not under direct supervision: Anti-slip grip To the stairs.
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Dog Lift Harness— Consider purchasing a sling or dog lift harness to help with mobility around the house. This type of harness can help pets who are severely affected by arthritis in the hips, knees, shoulders, or elbows to move around certain areas properly and safely.
Proper arthritis treatment for your puppy will likely include multiple medications, treatments, or assistive devices to keep him comfortable and happy.
Quality of life and a pain-free life are your goals for your dog, so talk to your veterinarian about the best combination of treatments and arthritis medications for your pet.
