Dog joint pain is a common occurrence amongst older dogs, although it may affect younger animals just as well. Joint pain arises for a variety of reasons, but the most common is osteoarthritis. This chronic condition develops in mid-age or older dogs, and is most common in large breeds. Joint pain can also be caused by injury and other less frequent medical conditions.
Fortunately, there are a number of different treatment options for the pain and inflammation associated with these joint problems. Using a joint pain spray treatment can be an effective means of relieving your pet of some of his discomfort, though these treatments are typically joined with others as well.
Overview of Joint Pain Spray for Dogs
Canine joint pain sprays are all-natural and non-prescription formulas designed to relieve pain in the joints through homeopathic methods. They are typically composed of a mixture of different plant and herbal extracts. As a result, joint pain sprays are not regulated by the FDA and do not require a veterinarian's prescription of oversight in order to be distributed.
Why Use Joint Pain Sprays?
Some of the most common types of medications used for joint pain are anti-inflammatory pain relievers. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids are the most frequently prescribed veterinary medicines used to address this issue. While these types of drugs are effective at reducing pain and swelling associated with arthritis and other conditions, they come at a price. Not only are these medicines expensive, but they also carry the potential to have serious side effects. For this reason, NSAIDs and corticosteroids are typically only used in acute cases or to treat short-term pain and inflammation.
Arthritis and many other causes of joint pain in dogs are chronic and degenerative diseases. Long-term use of the prescription medicines listed above is not always appropriate in these cases, as the negative effects come to outweigh the positive ones. While joint pain sprays and other natural supplements are not always as effective at eliminating your pet's pain, they are entirely safe to use over the long term for nearly all dogs, and have no known side effects.
Administering Joint Pain Spray
Joint pain sprays for dogs are designed for oral consumption. The manufacturer will provide instructions as to how to introduce the spray into your pet's diet. Most often, you will spray a bit of the medicine into your pet's water bowl every time you refill it. As your dog drinks water, he gradually ingests the pain reliever as well. Sprays typically feature an attractive taste, so they do not discourage your dog from drinking water.
While joint pain sprays are generally considered entirely safe for animal use, there is a minimal chance that your pet may have an allergic reaction to one or more components of the spray. If he does seem to develop any unusual physical characteristics or behaviors with onsets coinciding with the start of the spray treatment, discontinue use of the spray immediately and take your pet to a veterinarian. As with any other medical condition, canine joint pain should be properly diagnosed by a vet before you begin any treatment program.