Humans aren’t the only animals that get arthritis as they age. It can happen to dogs as well. Caring for a dog with arthritis is in some ways similar to arthritis care for humans. Here are some things to do if your dog has arthritis.
Medical care.
You want to make sure your pet gets regular checkups with your veterinarian, so he or she can keep track of the condition and what needs to be done for it.
The vet may recommend pain medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs. Other medication such as glucosamine and chondroitin can be used to help with the animal’s joint mobility.
Another possibility is acupuncture, which has shown results in alleviating the pain in arthritic dogs.
If your dog’s condition has progressed and is severe, surgery is also an option. You should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of doing surgery with your veterinarian.
Other ways to control the condition.
Diet is also important in the care of a dog with arthritis. The heavier a dog is, the more pressure there is on his or her joints. So, you want to maintain a healthy weight for your pet. You can do this by giving him the right amount of quality food.
As with humans, exercise is important for a dog with arthritis. But you need to keep an eye on your pet if she is walking or running. It may help to have your pet get her exercise on a soft surface. Your veterinarian can also give you recommendations on exercise.
A cold and damp environment can cause arthritis to flare up, so you want to make sure your dog is warm and dry. A padded dog bed can help with this. Also, applying warm compresses to the dog’s joints can help with the pain.
There are also other adjustments you can make at home to make life easier for your arthritic pet. Using makeshift ramps to help your pet get into a car or bed can help, as well as laying down carpet or some other similar surface to make it easier for the dog to get traction when she walks.
You also want to make sure the environment for the dog is as stress-free as possible.
Speaking of de-stressing, our four-legged guests love spending time here with us at Barney’s Ranch, and that includes dogs with arthritis (we’re happy to give your pet her meds, if needed). Call us at (469) 273-1661 to set up a time to visit to learn more about why we we’re a great boarding kennel.