Dog Joint Pain

Dog joint pain can result from developmental or degenerative problems. Developmental problems are those emanating from a hereditary predisposition, while degenerative problems are those that develop over time, usually due to the dog’s age or overuse of the dog’s joints. Two of the most common developmental problems that cause dog joint pain are elbow and hip dysplasia.

Dog Joint Care

Whether the cause of your dog’s joint pain is a degenerative problem or not, there is a need to develop an effective joint care program. Indeed, watching your best canine friend get older is never fun for any dog owner. However, there are some ways you can slow the progression of your dog’s joint pain and help the dog manage its joint pain and improve its joint health.

While it is advisable to prioritize dog joint care from your pet’s early years, if your dog exhibits such symptoms as difficulty sitting, standing, or lying down; trouble climbing the stairs or into the car; slowness or stiffness when getting up; reluctance to jump or run; limping or holding its limb up off the ground; joint swelling or stiffness; or decreased activity or less interest in the activities it usually enjoys participating in, a trip to the veterinarian is advisable. That is because the sooner you begin the necessary dog-joint treatment, the better off your dog will be.

Your veterinarian will perform physical examinations and probably take some x-rays to help understand the cause of the dog’s joint pain as well as the severity of the pain. The treatment method for the dog's joint pain will be determined by the cause and severity of the pain. Some joint problems will require surgery, while others can be treated using dog joint meds such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lifestyle changes, and joint supplements for dogs like Antinol for Dogs and Dasuquin.

Dog Joint Meds

Dog joint meds such as NSAIDs and glucocorticoids such as Prednisone offer dogs relief from joint pain and inflammation. Besides these medications, other analgesics or pain relievers may also be used if pain cannot be controlled using NSAIDs and glucocorticoids.

Lifestyle Changes

Attaining and maintaining a dog’s lean body conformation through proper dietary and nutritional practices as well as other weight management approaches is the most important cornerstone of effective dog joint pain treatment and prevention.

Studies have shown that skinny dogs tend to be less frequently affected by dog joint pain conditions such as osteoarthritis. They also usually have a longer life expectancy. Weight management in dogs has also been associated with decreased lameness associated with osteoarthritis.

Regular physical activity is also a paramount method of treating dog joint pain. A lifestyle of regular activity that is moderated away from intermittent extremes of exercise and activities to which the dog is not conditioned is essential in treating the dog’s joint pain. Ideally, multiple shorter walks are better than one long one, and doing the same activity every day is usually more ideal.

Dog Joint Supplements

Dog joint supplements are thought to be the best way to treat dog joint pain.They improve collagen synthesis and help regenerate the joints’ connective tissue. They also help to alleviate existing joint pain and inflammation in dogs.

The best supplement for dogs is one that has one or more of the following ingredients: glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), the green-lipped mussel (GLM), Boswellia serrata, superoxide dismutase, yucca schidigera, and chondroitin sulfate.

Glucosamine helps to slow down collagen degradation and inhibits inflammation-producing factors; MSM helps in strengthening the joints’ connective tissue and is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent; Boswellia serrata helps in anti-inflammatory activity; superoxide dismutase helps to scavenge molecules known to cause damage to tissues; yucca schidigera is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent; and chondroitin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and also helps to reduce the breakdown of collagen.

Some of the best joint supplements for dogs that use the foregoing ingredients and have registered astounding results in the treatment of dog joint pain include Antinol for Dogs, Dasuquin with MSM, Cosequin, Movoflex, Duralactin, Flexadin, and Zesty Paws Mobility Bites, among others.

Finding The Best Joint Supplement For Your Dog

A dog joint supplement that is good for one dog may not be so for another dog. Even if you find a given supplement to work best for one of your dogs, do not attempt to give it to another dog because dogs are different and no one-size-fits-all supplement exists for dog joint pain conditions. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any joint supplement. The veterinarian will recommend the one that is best for your pet and will ensure its safety.