Dog Joint Health

A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, is common in older dogs and medications are of great help in relieving pain. More properly the name should be ostcoarthosis since "-it is" means inflammation and in this condition there is a minimum of inflammation. In any event, bony growths accompany a degeneration of the cartilage at the ends of bones making up the joint. Frequently bones purs form which may limit the joint's function but are not necessarily painful in themselves. There is discomfort in bearing weight and over-weight dog are at a disadvantage. Aspirin is a great help in such cases at a dose of one tablet for each twenty pounds as often as every three hours. If aspirins does not help, steroids may he prescribed, often with excellent results.

Some joint diseases have an affinity for specific joints and are of unknown cause. One of these, osteochondritis dessicans, is always located in a shoulder joint where a pocket of cartilage erodes away, leaving a small craterlike area. This area is the glistening cartilaginous surface of the humerus. When the dog attempts to bend the joint and put weight on it, as in walking, there is great pain. Sometimes the area heals on its own as strangely as it has formed, but more often surgery is necessary to correct it. X rays must be used to make a diagnosis.

Dog Joint Health Information

As a good pet owner you must take proper care of the heath of your dog. You should give it proper balanced diet food that would be ideal for it to grow strong and physically fit. A healthy dog would be undertaken a regular schedule of exercise. For exercising your canine need strong bones and muscles. The following are the ways by which you may help your dog to have strong bones and joints.

Glucosamine – You must serve your dog with healthy food that contains adequate quantities of glucosamine. If you are buying a commercially packed food for your dog you are recommended to have a look at the label of the food pack where the constituents of the packet are written. You must find out whether the food that you have selected for your dog contains natural glucosamine or not. Glucosamine is a substance that causes development of the cartilage.

Weight Management – Always make sure that your dear dog is enjoying a healthy weight. Joint problems generally occur in overweight dogs so make it a point to provide food in just the amount that would be ideal for the dog to maintain a healthy weight. A proper weight actually facilitates smooth and efficient movement of bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Exercising is also responsible for maintaining the joints of your dog tough and flexible. A proper schedule of exercise in fact will tone the muscles and keep the joints active. You are required to consult a veterinary to plan down the right exercise schedule that would be in accordance with the breed of the dog as well as its health.