{"id":1497,"date":"2017-04-03T06:00:55","date_gmt":"2017-04-03T06:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=1497"},"modified":"2018-01-05T17:15:41","modified_gmt":"2018-01-05T17:15:41","slug":"joint-care-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/joint-care-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Joint Care for Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joint Care for Dogs<\/h1>\n

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Dogs, like humans, can develop joint problems during their lifetime. Sometimes, issues are caused by an acute injury, but often joint problems are the result of some form of joint disease. While the disease may start to develop during the first half of a dog\u2019s life, you may not see the signs until later in life. To help maintain your furry friend\u2019s quality of life, you need to know the signs and possible causes of joint pain and different ways to relieve the pain. It is also beneficial to understand the value of joint supplements in supporting overall joint health and to be aware of other ways you can take the pressure off your pup\u2019s aging joints.<\/p>\n

Signs of Joint Pain in Dogs<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We need to realize that dogs have evolved to hide their pain from their \u2018parents\u2019. In a pack setting, showing signs of pain could lead to being left behind by the group, as any weakness becomes a liability for the pack as a whole.\u00a0 While many pet parents see a significant improvement in their dog\u2019s mobility after signs of pain are present and then treated, the best medicine in this scenario is prevention, before the pain begins.<\/p>\n

As a dog begins to develop joint pain, they may show a reluctance to play or engage in normal activities. Climbing up and down stairs may become more difficult, and your pup may be avoiding the stairs or taking longer going up or down. At times, you might notice your canine pal limping or favoring a limb, especially after resting or sleeping. With more severe pain, your dog may have difficulty rising. Sometimes, you will be able to detect swelling around a joint or will notice your dog shows pain when you touch an affected joint. Signs of pain vary depending on the type and severity of joint disease.<\/p>\n

Causes of Dog Joint Pain<\/strong><\/h4>\n

There are a number of diseases that can affect dog joints and lead to pain. Sometimes, pain is the result of an acute injury that improves with appropriate treatment and care. Other joint pain is caused by congenital disorders or a degenerative process and require a long-term approach to care and treatment. The more common conditions are:<\/p>\n

Osteoarthritis<\/strong><\/span>
\nOsteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in dogs. In this type of arthritis, the cartilage in the joint deteriorates leaving no cushion between the bones. As the bones come in direct contact with one another, they become damaged, and the joint no longer moves smoothly. The body responds with an inflammatory response that affects the joint fluid. The fluid becomes thinner and loses it\u2019s ability to lubricate and cushion the joint. Over time, the joint capsule becomes inflamed, and the dog shows pain.<\/p>\n

Hip Dysplasia<\/span><\/strong>
\nHip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that leads to a degenerative arthritis in the hip. Dogs born with dysplasia are born with a shallow hip socket and a weakness of the connective tissue, muscles and ligaments that normally provide stability to the hip joint. As a result, the femoral head moves too freely in the shallow cup and causes damage to the cartilage. This condition leads to degenerative changes in the joint and creates pain<\/p>\n

Elbow Dysplasia<\/span><\/strong>
\nElbow Dyspalsia is usually seen in large-breed puppies when they are in the rapid growth stage. When puppies are first born, many of the bones start as pieces of bone joined together with cartilage. During the growth phase, the cartilage changes to bone, and the pieces fuse into one bone. If the bones involved in the elbow joint do not fuse properly, or if the bones do not grow at the same rate, one or more conditions may occur that result in pain and lameness in one or both of the front legs. There may be an abnormality of the cartilage and underlying bone known as osteochondrosis, elbow incongruity, a fragmentation of the medial coronoid process of the ulna, or an ununited anconeal process of the ulna. Over time, any combination of the above conditions results in damage to the joint and accompanying pain.<\/p>\n

Panosteitis<\/span><\/strong>
\nPanosteitis is another condition most common in young, large breed dogs. Panosteitis is a disease of the bones in which there is excess growth and restructuring of the bone. It usually occurs in the limbs and results in elongation of the bones and accompanying pain. The cause is not yet known. When a dog develops panosteitis, they show sudden lameness that may shift from one leg to another. There will be no known injuries, and the lameness resolves in about 2-3 weeks. Panosteitis usually occurs between 6-18 months of age but may also occur in middle-aged German Shepherds.<\/p>\n

Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy<\/span><\/strong>
\nHypertrophic Osteodystrophy also affects large breed dogs in their rapid growth stage, around 3-6 months of age. When this disease strikes, the leg bone growth plates show swelling and pain. During the course of the disease, a pup will show signs of lameness, usually in a pair of legs, may be reluctant to move or eat, and may have a fever. The cause of this disease is currently unknown.<\/p>\n

Osteochondritis Dissecans<\/span><\/strong>
\nOsteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a disease of the cartilage that usually affects larger breed dogs between the ages of 4-10 months. With this disease, cartilage in a joint becomes damaged or shows abnormal growth so that the surface between the bones is not smooth. The cartilage separates from the bone or cracks. It may also form a loose flap. Sometimes, a piece of cartilage will break loose and float in the joint. Because the cartilage surface is damaged, joint movement is painful. When a dog develops OCD, they will show lameness in the affected limb that can range from a slight limp to not bearing any weight on that limb. The extent of the lameness depends on the severity of the damage.<\/p>\n

Pain Relief for Dogs<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If your special friend is showing signs of joint pain, there are several ways to help relieve the pain. You can give your pup pain medications formulated to be safe for dogs to help provide immediate relief. To manage pain long-term, there are a number of supplements available to help your canine pal.<\/p>\n

When you first notice signs of pain in your dog, you want to bring relief as soon as possible. To help alleviate the acute or initial pain, there are two basic classes of pain relieving drugs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs<\/em><\/span> (NSAIDs<\/em><\/span>) and corticocosteroids. You will need to discuss with your veterinarian which form of pain relief is most suitable for your dog.<\/p>\n

NSAIDs work by reducing the level of\u00a0prostaglandins\u00a0released in the affected area. Because prostaglandins cause pain and inflammation, the decrease allows dogs to move more easily. NSAIDs for dogs are only available as prescriptions because they have potential side effects and need to be properly dosed and monitored.<\/p>\n

In the case of acute pain or emergency situations, you may need to start with a course of corticosteroids. The body produces natural steroids in small quantities to regulate various functions in the body. Pharmaceutical corticosteroids are more concentrated and have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. They also have many undesirable side effects, so they are best used in emergencies or when other products are not able to relieve the pain.<\/p>\n

When your pup has a long-term condition like arthritis or hip dysplasia that produces chronic pain, you want to be able to relieve the pain without risking harmful side effects. One way to reduce or possibly eliminate the need for pain medications is to provide quality joint supplements<\/em>. There are a variety of compounds that support joint health and can work with the body to reduce pain and inflammation.<\/p>\n

Some ingredients, like Omega-3 fatty acids<\/em><\/strong>, have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce products of the autoimmune response. Other nutritional supplements, such as glucosamine, are part of the building blocks needed to repair cartilage in the joint. There are also supplements, such as steroidal saponins, that provide natural pain relief. Understanding these ingredients helps you to select the right supplements for your canine companion.<\/p>\n

What to Look for in a Good Joint Supplement<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When choosing the right supplements for your pooch, you may want products with ingredients to provide anti-inflammatory effects, support for joint repair or a natural alternative for pain relief. The combination you choose will depend on the nature of your dog\u2019s joint disease and level of pain.<\/p>\n

Only buy from manufacturers that make their product in the USA.\u00a0Most serious brands today make their product in the USA, but check the label just to be sure.<\/p>\n

Many veterinarians see benefits to a mixture of joint supplement ingredients (glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin) rather than just one. Chondroitin<\/em><\/strong>, in particular, works best when paired with glucosamine. In recent years, many pet owners have also seen joint benefits by\u00a0supplementing with turmeric. \u00a0Turmeric<\/em><\/strong> has been traditionally\u00a0known to reduce inflammation. \u00a0Turmeric has Anti-inflammatory properties\u00a0that help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and has been shown to help with significant reductions in pain and disability associated with the condition.<\/p>\n

Pay particular attention to the amount of the active ingredients in the product.\u00a0Compare the amount of glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin on the ingredient label between brands. Often the lowest priced options will contain significantly less quantities\u00a0of the active ingredients.<\/p>\n

Check the label for the manufacturing method.\u00a0Heat destroys nutrients, and many tablet forms of glucosamine are made with high heat manufacturing methods.\u00a0 Look for a product using cold-press extrusion<\/em><\/span>, which uses no heat whatsoever in the manufacturing process. It\u2019s a more expensive method, and leads to a higher priced product, but the nutrients are more potent\u00a0and\u00a0more bioavailable (the extent to which a nutrient or medication can be used by the body) to your dog. Remember\u2026.. you get what you pay for!
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