The Best Treatments for Dogs with Arthritis

Dogs with arthritis suffer from pain and inflammation of the joints. Many owners don't realize their dogs are suffering from arthritis symptoms; instead, they assume that their pet's reduced activity levels are the result of mere old age. While it's true that geriatric animals are more likely to suffer from arthritis, it doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to relieve their pain and restore their freedom of movement. Here are some of the options for the treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories

You can relieve your dog's pain with the use of non-steriodal anti-inflammatories. Many dogs experience pain relief from ordinary over-the-counter aspirin. You can treat your dog's arthritis pain with a dose of five to ten milligrams per pound of body weight; experiment a little to achieve maximum pain relief. Remember to administer only aspirin; other over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be fatal to dogs.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin have been proven to be of great benefit in the maintaince of joint health. These dog food supplements can greatly improve your dog's arthritis, even reversing symptoms with continued use.

Home Remedies

There are some additional dog food supplements that can be helpful in the treatment of dog arthritis. Add an herbal tea made of alfalfa to soothe swelling in your dog's joints. Depending on your dog's weight, you'll need one teaspoon to three tablespoons of alfalfa to make the tea.

Studies have shown that shellfish extracts can be restorative to damaged connective tissues.

Yucca contains natural steroids that can relieve your dog's arthritis pain.

B vitamins are also helpful in maintaining your dog's joint health. Mix vegetables, such as asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and parsley.

Extract of stinging nettle can ease your dog's arthritis symptoms, as well as cleansing his blood. The herb comfrey is also effective against dog arthritis.

Massage your dog with herbal, sunflower or even olive oil to relieve the pain of arthritis symptoms.

Other Ways to Ease Arthritis Symptoms

You can also help ease your dog's arthritis symptoms with a few simple changes around the house. Make sure he has a bed that he can get in and out of easily. Try to keep your home warm and dry, as cold and humidity can aggravate sympoms. If your arthritic dog is obese, encourage him to lose weight with a weight-loss diet; stick to low-impact forms of exercise such as swimming.

Prescription Medication

If all else fails, your vet might prescribe a prescription medication for your dog's arthritis. Rymadil is a popular prescription anti-inflammatory that helps many dogs. Many vets also prescribe the steroid Prednisone for the treatment of arthritis pain.

 

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