| I've been very fortunate, even blessed, with my | | | | for many dogs with aches and pains related to joint |
| dogs because most of them have lived very long | | | | problems. Swimming is one of the best treatments |
| lives. It's wonderful to have a dog from the time he's | | | | for arthritis, hip dysplasia and even for post surgical |
| a puppy until he becomes an old dog. You feel like | | | | rehabilitation of dogs. If your dog likes to swim he |
| you've shared a long, wonderful life with him. But, as | | | | should find swimming easier than doing exercises like |
| your dog becomes older he can often develop some | | | | walking or running and you can swim with him. If your |
| common aches and pains. Older dogs often have a | | | | dog doesn't know how to swim it's not hard to teach |
| touch of arthritis. It may be a little harder for them | | | | most dogs. Just be sure that you carefully teach |
| to get up and down from a dog bed. They may | | | | your dog where the steps are in any pool and show |
| need some help getting up on a sofa or your bed. | | | | him how to get out of the pool. You can ask your |
| If your dog has a degenerative problem like hip | | | | vet for more information about hydrotherapy. |
| dysplasia then it will usually worsen with age. Both hip | | | | Medicate Me |
| dysplasia and luxating patellas, which can be common | | | | If your dog is experiencing spikes in pain or ongoing |
| with some smaller breeds, can lead to arthritis as | | | | pain then you should talk to your veterinarian about |
| your dog ages. | | | | anti-inflammatory medications. There are a number of |
| I once had a dog that I found in a parking lot late at | | | | Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medications |
| night. This poor old guy that I named Andy wasn't a | | | | that are being used to treat chronic arthritis and |
| young dog when I found him. It wasn't easy to coax | | | | other pain in dogs. There are some side effects with |
| him into my car at midnight in the rain but I finally got | | | | some of these medications so be sure to thoroughly |
| him in. My heart went out to him in particular because | | | | discuss them with your vet before using them for |
| he seemed like he had been hit by a car at some | | | | your dog. |
| point. I took him to the vet the next morning and | | | | You should not try to medicate your dog yourself |
| the vet confirmed what I thought. At some time in | | | | without talking to your veterinarian. Many |
| the past Andy had been hit by a car and probably | | | | over-the-counter drugs are not safe for dogs. Drugs |
| hobbled away without treatment. His hips were | | | | like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be very bad |
| semi-crippled. He could walk with a definite limp but | | | | for dogs. |
| he had a lot of arthritis . The good news was that | | | | These are all things that we tried with Andy. Many of |
| Andy was otherwise in pretty good health. I ran an | | | | them worked. Since we had him for several years |
| ad trying to find Andy's owners but no one | | | | before he finally passed away we were able to try |
| answered. Andy became part of my family and lived | | | | different things depending on how he felt. We also |
| out the next few years with us. Over that time we | | | | tried glucosamine-chondroitin tablets which helped his |
| tried several different treatments for his arthritis. | | | | joints. |
| Here are some things that helped Andy: | | | | Herbal Is The Way To Go |
| Say No To Second Helpings | | | | There's one treatment today that we didn't have |
| Dogs with arthritis and other joint problems typically | | | | when Andy lived with us and that's Joint Resolution . |
| do much better if you keep their weight down. | | | | I wish we'd had it because I think it might have |
| Obesity and being overweight put unnecessary | | | | helped him a lot. Joint Resolution is an herbal blend |
| stress on joints that are already compromised and | | | | that works synergistically with BioCell Collagen II. It |
| cause your dog pain. Carefully monitor how much | | | | includes Boswellia, devil's claw and licorice to reduce |
| food you give your dog to eat and watch his weight. | | | | inflammation and pain. It also has dandelion to |
| Remember to count the calories in treats and table | | | | eliminate toxins from the body. Just a few drops of |
| scraps, too. | | | | Joint Resolution on a treat or in your dog's mouth |
| No Marathons! | | | | can bring relief and make him feel more comfortable. |
| Watch your dog's exercise. Arthritis is usually | | | | The BioCell Collagen II in Joint Resolution also contains |
| self-limiting but canine hip dysplasia and even luxating | | | | Hyaluronic Acid and chondroitin which have both been |
| patellas are not always evident, particularly at a | | | | shown to promote healing and tissue rejuvenation. |
| young age. If your dog has been diagnosed with hip | | | | According to the Mayo Clinic, "Expert opinions support |
| dysplasia or luxating patellas, don't let your dog | | | | the use of chondroitin for improving the symptoms |
| overdo the exercise. Regular, moderate exercise is | | | | and arresting (or possibly reversing) the degenerative |
| better than one all-out race in a blue moon. Your dog | | | | process of osteoarthritis." So, Joint Resolution has |
| is less likely to injure himself if you pace his exercise. | | | | exactly what your dog needs. |
| However, don't cut out exercise altogether. Exercise | | | | Joint Resolution promotes active joints and helps |
| is good for keeping muscle tone and that helps your | | | | improve your dog's mobility and flexibility. It promotes |
| dog in the long run. | | | | strong, healthy connective tissue. And, it's easy to |
| Remember that one key to long term health and | | | | administer. Since it's liquid the body absorbs it faster |
| fitness is to start young. DO let your puppy play and | | | | than tablets or pills. |
| have fun. DON'T make your puppy jog two miles | | | | If your dog has arthritis or is suffering pain from |
| with you or run races. Putting too much stress on a | | | | canine hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, Joint |
| puppy is one way to develop joint problems later. | | | | Resolution can help. |
| Live In The Lap of Luxury | | | | I know that none of us want to see our dogs with |
| As your dog gets older it's okay to pamper him a | | | | any aches or pain but sometimes they go along with |
| little. Think about providing your dog with a comfy | | | | getting older. We do want our dogs to get older so |
| dog bed. Some pets with joint problems may | | | | we just have to find ways to help our dogs cope |
| appreciate an orthopedic dog bed or even a heated | | | | with the little aches and pains that go along with age. |
| dog bed. If your pet sleeps on the sofa you may | | | | Many dogs live for years after they begin |
| want to get him a heating pad. Applying heat to his | | | | experiencing some arthritis or having a few problems |
| aching joints can help them feel better. | | | | from hip dysplasia or luxating patellas. There's no |
| Everybody In The Pool! | | | | reason why your dog can't lead a fairly normal life, |
| Hydrotherapy and swimming have proven beneficial | | | | especially if you follow some of the tips offered here. |