There are few things scarier than realizing your dog is in pain and not knowing where it’s coming from or how to help. Even if it’s just a thorn in his paw, a limp can send a wave of panic through any dog parent in a matter of seconds. Most of the time a little limp is nothing to worry about, but sometimes it’s an indication of joint inflammation. Unfortunately joint problems in dogs are super common, especially in larger breeds, and without treatment, they can become incredibly debilitating. Here are the facts you need to know about joint health for dogs: the risks, symptoms and treatments.
Symptoms
Joint issues don’t just pop up overnight. Since it’s a gradual process, it’s really important to pay close attention to your pup’s behavior over time so you can identify your dog’s joint pain symptoms right away. Indication of joint inflammation may start with your furry friends taking their sweet time getting out of bed in the morning — seems innocent enough, how quickly do YOU jump out of bed when your alarm goes off? Then again, you may start to notice your dog slowing down and trying to turn back quicker than usual on walks or runs, and then you might notice them struggling to jump in or out of your car for outings. Any of these indications are troubling for older dogs, but when you see your pup limping or favoring one leg, it’s definitely time to take action. If you notice any of these symptoms in a pup under 2 years old, it may be a larger problem that should be tended to immediately.
Causes
The most common types of K9 joint pain fall into two categories: developmental and degenerative. Developmental issues that lead to joint pain include maladies like hip or elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans or Legg-Pethes disease, where the joint is unable to develop correctly. The most common degenerative problems, however, occur when the cruciate ligaments degenerate over time. This degeneration causes instability and osteoarthritis, which is very common and luckily treatable. Other causes of joint pain include dietary and hormonal diseases, metabolic disorders and joint inflammation diseases.
Treatment
The treatment for your dog’s joint pain will vary greatly depending on the severity, cause and advice from a trusted vet. In general, treatment plans are either surgical or non-surgical. If your vet recommends the surgical route, the procedure could be anywhere from a minimally invasive arthroscopic cleaning of a joint to a total replacement of the joint. This is not ideal, of course, so it’s important to explore your non-invasive options as well. Sometimes alleviating the pressure on your dog’s joints is as simple as cleaning up his diet and improving his health for weight management. Not only will a lighter weight decrease the pressure on his joints, but ridding his body of fat will help as it’s a source of joint inflammation. Plus, improving muscle mass/function will help protect his joints from further damage. Other common non-surgical treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, massage/physical therapy and supplements. An incredibly effective way to speed along this healing process is by enhancing your dog’s food with an all-inclusive dog supplement for inflammation like K9POWER Joint Strong.
K9POWER’s Joint Strong supplement is a formula based on wild diets designed to protect and maintain cartilage and connective tissues by providing your dog with essential nutrients to fight inflammation and improve his immune system. The delicious meat-based powder has a taste dogs love and helps fight inflammation with powerful plant antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, CMO and hyaluronic acid. The science-backed formula and perfected ratios simplify the process (no more giving your dog four different pills a day!) and improve the quality of your furry friend’s life.You’ll love watching your dog jump, run and play without pain almost as much as he’ll love chowing down on the delicious powder in his food bowl.
