Dog Joint Pain - Are Natural Options Superior to Conventional Treatments?

The heartbreaking truth for all dog owners is that, sooner or later, your four-legged friend will suffer some degree of dog joint pain. There are numerous determining factors that contribute to the onset of this tragic condition. Of the most common causes of dog joint pain is arthritis. And of course, older dogs have a greater likleyhood of getting this disease. Additionaly, other factors such as lack of exercise, obesity, degenerative conditions such as hip dysplasia and inflammatory diets can aggrevate your dog's condition and make the pain more severe than it needs to be.

In order to be pro-active in treating dog joint pain, there are some behavior states and physical symptoms to be aware of. Physical symptoms are visable swelling of the joints or a distorted appearance. Some behavior changes that indicate dog joint pain are unusual walking, trouble getting up and an unwillingness to go for walks or play. Severe symptoms will include all of the above. Anyone who has owned a dog displaying these symptoms knows how troubling it is. Fortunately, there are now numerous preventative natural treatments that can ward off this painful condition.

Dog Joint Pain - The Problem with Conventional Drugs

In an effort to rid their canine companions of this debilitating pain, many dog owners turn to pharmaceutical drugs. Though these conventional treatments may be effective for acute pain, it is not adviseable to utilize these treatments long term. Most of the traditional medicines for dog joint pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have severe side effects if used for more than a few weeks. Kidney and/or liver damage can easily occur, so regular blood testing is mandatory when using these drugs. For this reason, many canine health professionals (conventional as well as holistic) are turning to safer and more natural options when making treatment recommendations for dog joint pain.

Dog Joint Pain - Safer Options

Below are a few of the many natural treatments that veterinarians recommend for dog joint pain:

Exercise is among the most important components of a joint pain treatment protocol. Intense and strenuous exercises aren't recommended - instead mild exercises and stretching to keep the joints working. Less impactful exercises such as swimming help increase strength and flexibility. Exercise also helps in weight loss.

Massage - a powerful pain relieving and healing modality. Applying gentle pressure and massage to each joint and adjacent tendons will help stimulate bolood flow and oxygen to the affected tissues and joints, which is most helpful in relieving pain and keeping the joints and ligaments healthy.

Anti-Inflammatory Herbs - There are many anti-inflammatory natural herbs available in capsule or powder form. One such beneficial herb is Tumeric. Recent studies have shown that Curcumin (the active ingredient in Tumeric) can be more beneficial than NSAIDS for the treatment of joint pain. There are now dog formulas of Tumeric available that can be given orally or sprinkled daily of their food.

Herbal pain alleviation ingredients such as Cayenne are available in ointments, creams and gels. Their efficacy has been proven for the short term alleviation of dog joint pain. When applied topically, these products significantly reduce pain and inflammation of the affected joints.

There are many more natural treatment options than the ones listed above. Some are fast-acting while others have a cumulative effect. It is best to consult your hoistic veterinatrian to determine the best natural treatment options for your four-legged friend suffering from dog joint pain.

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