As health care progresses and dogs live longer, arthritis is much more likely to affect the quality of life of an aging dog today. This degenerative pathology causes inflammation, pain and deformation of the joints. The pain produced by the inflamed joints inhibits the dog's walking, which is unable to move as it once did. In turn, lack of physical activity causes loss of muscle mass and increased stiffness. There is no ideal treatment for arthritis. However, by synergistically using different strategies, such as drugs to relieve pain, nutraceuticals to promote joint function and physiotherapy to improve and strengthen the physical condition of the animal, it is possible to offer benefits to a dog suffering from arthritis.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Managing Your Dog's Weight
Step 1. Know why it is important to control your weight
One of the most unpleasant consequences of arthritis is difficulty in movement, so affected dogs tend to gain weight. Obesity places an additional burden on the joints and increases damage to the joint surface. Overweight dogs are much more likely to have a less physically active life.
If your dog loses weight in the early stages of arthritis, it is possible to delay the administration of pain medication, so weight control should be a priority for owners of dogs with muscle stiffness and soreness
Step 2. Check your dog's calorie intake
You can make your dog lose weight by limiting calories or by following diets specifically formulated for animal weight loss, such as those offered by major pet food brands. Most people know what a diet is all about, so try to start here.
In order for a dog to lose weight, it must consume fewer calories than it burns in a day. One way to achieve this is to cut down on food portions until she begins to lose weight
Step 3. Realize the amount of food you should always eat
First of all, weigh the dog to have a reference point from which to start. Then reduce your current food allowance by 10%. Do this regularly for 2 weeks and then weigh the dog again.
- If she hasn't lost weight, further decrease her ration by 10% and stick to this restriction until you get the desired results. However, this method can leave the dog unsatisfied when he finishes eating.
- It may be useful to subject the dog to a diet aimed at keeping caloric intake under control, such as that of Purina OM. These are low-calorie foods, but high in fiber. The fibers stay in the stomach longer and help maintain a sense of satiety.
Step 4. Feed your dog, making sure he is on a metabolic diet
Another solution is to switch to a metabolic diet. This diet consists of feeding the dog with foods specially formulated to increase the metabolic functions in the animal. In this way, the dog will burn calories faster and it will no longer be a need to rigorously weigh what he eats.
Method 2 of 4: Give the Dog the Nutraceuticals
Step 1. Learn about nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are food supplements that perform an action similar to that of drugs. They are free of side effects and, therefore, are safer than pharmaceutical products. They also have the advantage of not being prescribed by a doctor.
Two important nutraceuticals for joint health are chondroitin and glucosamine. These are two molecules that work "synergistically", meaning that they have a greater effect when administered together than when taken individually
Step 2. Know that there is a controversial debate about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin
The theory that supports the consumption of these two molecules is based on the fact that they allow to repair the cartilages, also improving the circulation of the synovial fluid.
- The goal is to nourish the cartilage and improve its health by protecting it from further injury and damage. They also help increase the viscosity (or thickness) of the synovial fluid, improving lubrication.
- However, there is an ongoing debate among exponents of veterinary science regarding the supposed efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin. Nonetheless, many animals seem to benefit from the use of these substances, and since supplements are unlikely to hurt, there is nothing to lose by using them, as long as the cost is not inconvenient.
Step 3. Consider giving your dog glucosamine and chondroitin
They are sold in the form of pleasant-tasting veterinary preparations, but supplements intended for human consumption are also suitable for dogs.
- Normally a dose for a dog under 10 kg is equivalent to 500 mg of glucosamine and 400 mg of chondroitin per day. It is unlikely that you will suffer from an overdose.
- These food supplements must be taken for life by animals suffering from arthritis.
Method 3 of 4: Resorting to Physiotherapy
Step 1. Learn about physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a pain treatment based on physical manipulation and non-pharmaceutical means. Massage, passive gymnastics, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and heat therapy are all physiotherapy techniques that can be used in the home.
Step 2. Massage your dog to relieve arthritis pain
Massages stimulate the muscles surrounding the joint affected by arthritis and increase the pressure within the tissues. They eliminate liquids, placing them in the blood and lymphatic vessels, and push the interstitial fluid to fill the void created by the massages.
- This allows to eliminate the toxins that have accumulated due to injuries and inflammations and that irritate the nerve endings. In return, the new nutrients flow to the area, promoting the repair of inflamed joints and atrophied muscles.
- An animal suffering from joint pain has stiff and tense muscles, and this muscle tension further compresses the joint, increasing the friction between the inflamed areas and, consequently, the pain. The massage helps to relax the muscles and stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers that have a chemical composition similar to that of morphine.
Step 3. Learn some particular massage techniques
If, for example, the pain is coming from the hip joint, you should massage it from the tip up (imagine massaging fluids in the direction of the heart).
- Move the palm of the hand in circular movements, applying pressure with the thenar of the hand on the thigh muscles, working upwards towards the heart.
- The slow and gentle movements are relaxing, while the fast and energetic ones are stimulating, so to relieve pain, the ideal would be to alternate every five seconds.
- Massage the arthritis-affected limb for 10-20 minutes, 2-3 times a day.
Step 4. Try passive mobilization
It involves making the animal perform a series of passive flexion-extension movements of the limbs. Theoretically, mobilization serves to interrupt the vicious cycle of pain that limits joint movements, leading to a decrease in motor skills and eventually atrophying the limb.
- Again, using the example of an arthritis-affected hip, passive mobilization allows the hind leg to be gently extended backwards, in the direction opposite to the head. The owner can perform these exercises by standing or lying down. If both hips are sore, it is preferable to lay the dog on the ground as it may be uncomfortable with one leg raised adding weight to the opposite side.
- To extend the left hip with passive movements, have the dog lie on its right side, with the left paw up. Place your left hand in front of the thigh, in the center of the femur, and keep the palm of the left hand cupped over the hamstrings. Apply light but firm pressure to push the thigh back so that the dog's paw moves backward. Do not force the movement and stop if the animal seems annoyed.
Step 5. Hold the extension for about 40 seconds and then release the limb
Try doing this twice a day, for ten minutes. This will help the joint stay flexible and relieve pain.
Step 6. Apply heat to arthritis-affected limbs
Heat helps dilate blood vessels and stimulates circulation. It also allows you to eliminate toxins that irritate the pain-receptor nerves.
- A simple method is to use a wheat pillow, such as those that heat up in the microwave. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to warm it up and place it on the sore joint, while the dog is lying on the ground on the opposite side.
- Leave it for 10-15 minutes, then do some passive range-of-motion exercises.
Step 7. Consult your veterinarian about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
It can be done at home by the owner, provided that he knows how to use it and that he has the appropriate equipment.
- It consists of applying a few small, low-intensity electric current charges through two electrodes placed on the skin to anesthetize the nerve endings and block the transmission of pain. It is obtained by stimulating the delta fibers that release the encephalin into the spinal cord, which in turn decreases the pain sensation. A 20-minute session can reduce pain for up to 24 hours.
- The TENS device is a small, battery-powered portable box attached to two electrodes, which are placed in contact with the dog's skin. The pain is blocked by the electrodes placed at the bottom. To treat hip pain, place an electrode on each side of the spine about 6 inches above the pelvis.
Method 4 of 4: Give the Dog Pain Relief Drugs
Step 1. Give your dog NSAIDs for pain relief
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are pain relievers that reduce inflammation. They work by inhibiting the "bad" COX-2 enzymes that cause joint inflammation, allowing the "good" COX-1 enzymes, which preserve blood circulation in the stomach and kidney walls, to function normally.
- These drugs have a high safety margin when taken correctly and are less likely to cause potentially harmful side effects, such as stomach ulcers, and bleeding disorders, than other pain relievers. NSAIDs commonly prescribed by veterinarians are meloxicam (Metacam), carprofene (Rimadyl) and robenacoxib (Onsior).
- The maintenance dose of Metacam is 0.05 mg / kg orally, before or after meals, once daily. The oral suspension contains 1.5 mg / ml and thus a 30 kg Labrador will need a daily dose of 1 ml added to food.
Step 2. Try to relieve the dog's pain with aspirin
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) offers mild to moderate relief. However, prolonged use can lead to gastric ulcer problems, especially when given on an empty stomach, as aspirin reduces blood circulation in the walls of the intestines, stomach and kidneys.
- Aspirin should never be given together with an NSAID. The combination of both drugs can cause stomach ulcers, with serious consequences.
- If you have no other pain relief available and your dog is healthy, you can give him 10 mg / kg of aspirin twice a day, before or after meals. Aspirin is usually sold in the form of 300mg tablets, so a normal dose for a 30kg Labrador is one tablet twice a day, added to food.
Step 3. Consult your veterinarian for the proper dosage of acetaminophen
Another solution to relieve moderate pain is acetaminophen (acetaminophen). However, be careful when using this drug because exceeding the recommended dose can overload the liver with a toxic metabolite called N-acetyl-p-amino benzo quinonimine, which can cause damage to this organ and ultimately cause liver failure..
- It is preferable to get a prescription from your veterinarian, but if no other solution is available to relieve pain, give him paracetamol in food, observing the correct dosage. The dose is 10 mg / kg orally, twice a day, before or after meals.
- Mostly, the tablets are 500mg, so a 30kg Labrador can take a maximum of 3/5 of a tablet twice a day. If in doubt, always give him a lower dose and, if he is a small dog, it is advisable to use the pediatric suspension.
Step 4. Talk to your vet about stem cell therapy
This is an exciting new method of treating arthritis. It differs from past therapies in that the principle is to encourage the repair of damaged tissues, rather than just treating the malaise.
- This therapy involves taking fat from the dog under anesthesia, extracting stem cells from the fat sample, activating the stem cells in the laboratory, and finally injecting these activated cells into the joints.
- Currently some veterinary clinics are able to offer this type of treatment on site. The animal's health improves a few weeks after treatment to the point where it no longer needs to take painkillers.
