It is getting older and, depending on the day, the weather or the intensity of the weekend walk, your dog has difficulty getting up from his basket and appears cold rusted.
It may pass after a few minutes… or not.
Maybe he
has osteoarthritis
?
To discover
Fence and neighborhood: what does the law say?
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a
degenerative disease
of the cartilage in the joints.
This tissue covers the bone surfaces, ensuring their mobility without friction and absorbing shocks.
But when it wears out and thins, it no longer protects the bones, which are found bare.
In response to this, the bony surfaces thicken in an anarchic fashion, causing inflammation, pain and impaired mobilization.
All joints can be affected (hip, knee, elbow, shoulder, etc.), by wear and tear due to age, due to poor joint conformation, following bone, ligament or tendon trauma, or again because of too much overweight.
Read alsoWhat are the diseases to control when buying your pet?
How to detect osteoarthritis in a dog?
It is
during a consultation
, and based on any X-rays, that your veterinarian can make a diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
It is a degenerative process which is not reversible.
The veterinarian can thus prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, cartilage protectors, essential fatty acids to fight against the inflammatory process, or even specific foods.
Alternative medicines (osteopathy, acupuncture,? Herbal medicine) can also provide satisfactory results.
Read alsoDog: 5 symptoms to take seriously
What should be done to relieve it?
However, it can be limited, and there are several ways to relieve your pet.
The movement will be one of the first keys
, because it is necessary to continue to walk it, without overexpressing it.
He must not lose either his mobility - the joints could become stiff - or his muscle mass.
And it's good for morale!
Adapt the exercise according to the effects felt the next day.
Organize balneotherapy sessions
and go to the seaside as soon as possible to walk with your dog's paws in the water at a low speed for a massaging and decongesting effect.
If he likes to swim, don't hesitate: swimming is beneficial for the joints.
At home, massage it
by sitting down facing your dog and gently straining the joints one by one.
Also exert pressure points on the muscles.
A little surprised at first, he may quickly relax!
Make sure that its bed
is well stocked and welcoming, sheltered from drafts, and, in winter, consider installing it near a heat source.
Make his life
easier by creating ramps or small steps to get in the car or on the sofa.
Weight management is paramount
, and all other measures will be ineffective if your dog is too big and his joints are supporting a weight they were not designed for.
Be accompanied by your veterinarian to initiate weight loss and maintain it as well as possible over the long term.
You should never underestimate the pain that a dog with osteoarthritis can experience.
It is really about his comfort of life.
