5 WAYS TO HELP AN ARTHRITIC DOG

Many dogs are affected by arthritis and yours may be too. Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. There are various causes for arthritis from abnormal bone or joint development to instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons. Arthritis may not be curable, but there are several things you can do to make your dog more comfortable.

1. Make sure your dog has slip-free flooring. Hardwood and tile floors are slippery and can be very difficult for dogs with arthritis to navigate. Placing carpet or area rugs will help secure your dog’s footing.
2. Massage! Massage can increase flexibility, circulation, calmness and a general sense of wellness. Professional animal massage therapists are available to provide your pet a more thorough treatment.
3. Weight Control. Arthritis is more of a problem in obese pets. Weight loss can be beneficial by helping to reduce the workload on the bones and joints.
4. Dietary Therapy. In addition to basic weight loss, diets formulated for pets with arthritis may be beneficial in some dogs. Diets supplemented with Omaga-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, sulfate and L-carnitine have shown to help dogs with arthritis maintain weight, reduce pain and improve mobility.
5. Provide a soft bed. Soft bedding can help support the bones and joints making your pet more comfortable. This can be especially important in thin dogs which bony prominences are likely to rub on hard surfaces. Some beds are made especially for dogs with arthritis, such as waterbeds, hammock beds and beds with plenty of extra cushion.

While anti-inflammatory medicines are popular treatments for arthritis, another approach involves protecting the cartilage in the joint and “nourishing” the joint. By being considerate of your dog’s condition and finding ways to keep him/her more comfortable, you can alleviate pain and ensure a higher quality of living.

There are a number of other important signs you should recognize as important signs of illness. These signs are nonspecific and can be caused by many different diseases.

Here are nine more signs of illness that you should be aware of:

1. Not eating
2. Sleeping more
3. Less involved in social interaction
4. Drooling
5. Vomiting
6. Difficulty breathing
7. Diarrhea
8. Coughing
9. Bloody urine or stools

Do you think your dog is fat?  This is a common concern of many pet owners.

One way to tell if your dog is fat is to look at his appearance. Normal dogs have an hourglass appearance. Fat dogs have abdomens protruding from the sides, as well as puffy fatty areas on either side of the tail base and over the hips. A fatty area may also be present on the neck and front of the chest. When obese dogs walk, they may have a classic waddle.

In normal dogs there is a thin layer of fat. You can feel the ribs easily, although you won’t see them. If your dog is overweight, you will not be able to readily feel the ribs, and the tissue over the ribs may feel smooth and wavy.

Another way of telling if your dogs is fat is to download some photos of the body score images. At PetFit.com there is a free weight management guide that has the exact photos you need to be able to tell if your dog is fat.

Once at the site of  PetFit.com , visit the top banner that says “I pledge to help the dog I love.” Then enter your state and you get a page that offers you a coupon and a Weight Management Record Book. Go to that; when you download it there are photos of all the dog body shapes. It is a very nice reference and it is free.

If, after doing the above, you still think that your dog is obese, contact your veterinarian. Tests may need to be performed to eliminate underlying disease as a cause of the obesity. In addition, your veterinarian can help you improve your dog’s body condition and overall health.

Knowing when to get your dog to the veterinarian can save his/her life. There are serious symptoms that should never be ignored in your dog. Some of these symptoms are obvious, but others are not. If you don’t know what they are, you may not know if your dog is a little off or extremely ill.

These important symptoms include:

1. Pacing and restlessness
2. Unproductive retching
3. Collapse or fainting
4. Not eating or loss of appetite
5. Loosing weight without being on a diet
6. Breathing problems
7. Red eye(s)
8. Jaundice
9. Trouble urinating
10. Urinating and drinking excessively
11. Fever
12. Seizure
13. Bleeding and Bruising
14. Coughing
15. Bloated or distended abdomen
16. Bloody diarrhea
17. Bloody Urine
18. Bite wounds
19. Bloody vomit
20. Lethargy or weakness
21. Pale gums

1. Ear infections
2. Skin allergies
3. Skin Infections
4. Cancer / tumors
5. Urinary Infections
6. Arthritis
7. Dental Disease
8. Gastroenteritis
9. Stomach inflammations
10. Congestive Heart Failure
11. Chronic Kidney Failure
12. Lacerations
13. Hip Dysplasia
14. Pancreatitis
15. Diabetes
16. Obesity
17. Food Allergies
18. Epilepsy
19. Kennel Cough
Hypothyroidism