The good news is that it typically doesn't result in any life-threatening complications. As canines age, their bodies produce less and less of these compounds. They are combined in my hip and joint supplement product called Dr. Buzbys Encore Mobility. Ive been there with my own four-legged family members. A good goal to aim for is two 20 to 30-minute walks per day. Have a strategy session with your veterinarian to create a plan that will help prevent injury, alleviate pain, and promote mobility. The most common type is osteoarthritis which will be the one well discuss here. It is important never to reach into your own medicine cabinet when your dog limps or has been diagnosed with OA. Why not try out one or a few of these eight tips Ive shared? Because of this negativity, the dog owners that Ive talked to are very pessimistic about whether its possible to help their dogs with anything short of a joint replacement. Keep in mind it should be a last resort and only if the above suggestions no longer help. Look for an appropriately-sized quality memory-foam mattress. We are committed to caring for your pet while maintaining the highest level of safety for our Associates and pet owners. But she is showing signs of joint pain in her hind legs.we have her on a diet to loo some fat. The longer they stay in one position, the harder it is for them to get up and go. Medical acupuncture can provide excellent pain relief for many dogs with OA. To relieve pain it is better to keep him on the lean side of the ideal weight. Make sure to keep your dogs nails clipped short. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about the scientific data that supports nutraceuticals that she prescribes. Swimming is another great exercise for dogs. No one wants to put their poor dog through that surgical procedure. However, the bad news is that arthritis can be a painful and even debilitating condition that makes it difficult for a Chihuahua to easily move around. Many dont even think about what a differencea simple change in the home environment can make in your dogs comfort. Your email address will not be published. Does your Chi love to sit on your lap or is the couch his favorite place to nap, but he no longer will jump up? Then, strain this to remove all bones and bone fragments. Stair treads for those who must use stairs to navigate the house. As with all health concerns, there can be some contributing factors. Depending on the location and suspected severity, a contrast dye may be used to better highlight the area. Learn more in my article: Can I Give My Dog Advil? Introducing Dr. Buzbys Encore Mobility joint supplement for senior dogs. Without it, you don't move fluidly or without pain. Lethargy - wearing out easily or quickly. It can be easy for doting dog parents to accidentally overfeed their dogs. If you get medications through Chewy.com pharmacy, they are usually less expensive. If you dont want your dog to use the stairs, consider using baby gates to block these areas. Less likely to jump up on the couch or other furniture. Many of the commercially available foods found in pet stores are well-balanced and contain the correct amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. When it comes to arthritis, it's best to take a proactive approach to slow down its progress. Based on your dogs exam findings and medical history, your veterinarian may prescribe certain medications to help decrease joint pain. Your email address will not be published. Do Joint Supplements for Dogs Work? Think your Chihuahua is suffering from arthritis? How to prepare, Your email address will not be published. All Rights Reserved. If you want to know more AND get 50% off your first order (you can easily cancel anytime) CLICK HERE >. Unless your Chihuahuas condition is so far advanced that it is just too painful to walk, walking is still the best treatment for arthritis. [emailprotected] .. Dogs dont always know their limits, so beware of letting your dog sprint or do other high-impact exercises. Something that makes it worse is being overweight. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR CHIHUAHUA, PART II, YOUR JOB AS A TRAINER, NomNomNow Review Fresh Healthy Dog Food, Dry, Canned, Semi-Moist or Soft-Moist Dog Food. Some veterinary clinics have a special tool called a force plate that is able to evaluate the gait of a dog while he walks over it. When you maintain your dog at a healthy weight or, if indicated, help him shed those extra pounds, there is less pressure on the joints. However, showing your love through food may be doing your dog more harm than good, especially when arthritis enters the picture. She carries her toy Animal around and will go look for it. Required fields are marked *. You may also want to place the bed next to your bed so your dog can rest there at night. Going to the vet is extremely important, especially for older dogs. However, many times this isnt the case. Therefore, both supplements together may be the best for treating it. Sadly, for some dogs that may actually be true, but the vast majority CAN get arthritis relief. After all, those begging puppy dog eyes can be so hard to resist. If you notice that your dog is having trouble getting a grip on slippery surfaces, consider trying Dr. Buzbys ToeGrips dog nail grips. OA is a very complex disease process, so managing it is a fairly complex process because we get the best results from combining multiple modalities. The stiffness is often worse in the morning and may improve as the day goes on. However, I can tell you that there are a lot of options in the pain control toolbox and it sometimes takes a combination of therapies to get a dogs pain under control. When bones come together to form a joint, the ends are covered with a layer of cartilage. To address this concern, I want to share with you eight at-home arthritis management tips that can make a huge difference for your senior dog. This is why it's important to take your Chihuahua to the veterinarian for a thorough examination from the moment you suspect arthritis is troubling them. It is reasonable to say that a painful dog is prone to being an anxious dog. All rights reserved. It can be hard to know which one is best for your dog. (More on this next week!). There is no single cause of OA. Symptoms can be worse on rainy, damp, or cold days. Filed Under: Our Blog: The Buzby Bark, Senior Dog Care, Wow what a great, genuine, and thoughtful article packed with such useful information! This article from UC Davis Veterinary Medicine on nutritional management of weight explains and advises that overweight dogs lose no more than 2% of their body weight per week. Chihuahua Vaccine and Booster Shot Schedule, Chihuahua Tear Stains: Causes, Prevention and Treatment, Chihuahua Names: Top 100 Boy and Girl Names, 60 Amazing Facts About Chihuahuas That You Didnt Know, How To Identify and Treat Ear Infections In Chihuahuas, Chihuahua Lifespan: Average Life Expectancy of The Chihuahua, Benefits of Having Your Chihuahua Spayed or Neutered, Chihuahua Pictures and Visitor Photo Gallery. Medical advice from your veterinarian is invaluable when you are trying to manage your dogs arthritis pain. Your email address will not be published. While there's no cure for canine arthritis, there are ways to slow down its progress and help deal with pain management. Homecooking for your dog is another good option, but should be done under the supervision of a board certified veterinary nutritionist. How Will You Know When Its Time to Euthanize Your Dog? Arthritis pain management options (note: always talk to your veterinarian before administering any medication to your Chihuahua): http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-canine-arthritis.aspx, http://www.arthritis.org/conditions-treatments/disease-center/arthritis-dogs/, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00189. Slippers could help or just make sure there are runners on the paths he must walk to potty, eat, and sleep. Helping you and your Chihuahua live the best life ever together! Thanks for the wonderful suggestions! Some owners brush off their Chihuahua's arthritis as a non-concerning issue. Hi Julia, Long nails change the mechanics of the foot and can make walking more difficult, or sometimes even painful. Here is where steps could help. You can't give your Chihuahua a magic pill to make their condition go away, but you can dramatically slow its progress, which should be your primary goal. Then we can work together to tackle whatever challenges your dog is facing. Slowing down just generally not as spry. There are other pain medications that your vet may prescribe. There are several treatments to speak to your vet about: Though weight issues are not at all typical with this breed, even a pound or two adds stress onto the joints. I have a toy chihuahua who knee keeps coming out of place. How Will You Know When Its Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages, I hope that you are able to find some solutions for your sweet pup. Did you know that diet plays a big role in your dogs joint health? Thank you so much for the kind words about the article. Arthritis treatments are generally designed to either treat the pain or the joint problem itself. For this reason, it's recommended that you exhaust all of the other forms of treatment before considering surgery. A Vet Oughta Know, Laser Therapy for Dogs: What You Need to Know. Finally, physical rehabilitation is a discipline that translates physical therapy techniques from human medicine for application to animal patients. Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Shipping Terms This would help those owners that have a disability that prevents them from walking their dog themselves. It may be seem fun in the short term, but your dog could get injured or suffer increased joint pain. BEST SELLER! OA is diagnosed through a combination of a thorough physical examination, a palpation (feeling with the fingers to localize pain and determine its intensity), and additional diagnostics including x-rays or other imaging technology. When feeding a regular diet (not one designed for weight management) with the goal of helping your dog lose weight, the strategy of greatly restricting the amount fed is not ideal and poteanially dangerous. It is important to stick strictly to the prescribed nutritional program. The. This section will cover what osteoarthritis is, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. Never give your dog any type of drug without consulting with your veterinarian first. Your email address will not be published. However, before you break out your DIY building skills, shop online, or implement any of the other tips I am about to share with you, first please make an appointment with your dogs veterinarian. It provides a way to address the chronic nature of OA pain, and is especially helpful when the patient is older and not able to take a NSAID. Occasionally, a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drug will be prescribed instead of a NSAID. Dogs that already have hip, knee, or other joint issues are more prone to have arthritis. Have hip, knee, or sometimes even painful based on your dogs clipped... That she prescribes is having trouble getting a grip on slippery surfaces consider! 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