What is the best thing to help a dog with arthritis?
Antoinette Rolfson
2025-08-08 19:01:32
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: 20
Anti-inflammatory medications, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are frequently used to manage your dog’s condition and can offer a dramatic improvement in mobility and quality of life. They reduce the production of prostaglandins which drive inflammation associated with arthritis. Combining a number of treatments is recognised as the most effective way of controlling pain with minimum side-effects. Leaving a dog in pain for whatever reason is not acceptable, and will lead to the condition worsening rapidly. Developments in NSAIDs in the last decade have created more COX-2 selective drugs which should reduce the side effects seen, however adverse reactions can still happen. Owners are often hesitant to use NSAIDs due to publicity regarding potential side-effects, and will seek alternative options for pain control.
Otho Koch
2025-08-08 15:50:20
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: 12
Help at home, such as using ramps to get into the car, restricting the times your dog needs to use stairs, and providing a thick comfortable sleeping spot, are all ways you can make life easier for your arthritic dog at home. Exercise strengthens the muscles that support joints. Moderate amounts of low-impact exercise also improve mobility. Exercise should be little and often, as too much exercise or high-impact exercise may cause your dog’s joints to become more painful. Hydrotherapy is a good way to provide low-impact exercise for your arthritic dog in a safe and warm environment. All dogs with arthritis benefit from being a healthy weight. Approximately half of all dogs are overweight or obese. For these dogs losing even 10% of their bodyweight can have visible results on their arthritis. Some dogs with arthritis do not need any medication or supplements at all, and are simply managed with changes to diet, exercise and home routine. In more painful cases, dogs may need extra help to be comfortable, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, which combat inflammation in the joints, relieving pain. Supplements for Arthritis, such as those containing glucosamine and chondroitin, can also be helpful in arthritis cases, although clinical evidence is mixed.
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