Calm the pain, Managing Canine Osteoarthritis
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, by definition, is swelling and inflammation of the joints. Canine Osteoarthritis or OA, can be a progressively debilitating condition that can affect young dogs and old dogs, in fact, osteoarthritis is known to affect 1 out of 5 adult dogs in the U.S.
If your furry best friend experiences difficulty getting up, tires easily, or seems stiff, they may be suffering from OA. Read more to learn about the causes and potential ways to manage arthritis.
What causes this painful condition?
OA can arise from factors such as age, injury, repetitive stress, or disease. The condition is characterized by a degradation of the cartilage within a joint, it begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes can result in inflammation from the bones rubbing together leading to bony growths called osteophytes or bony spurs.
Risk Factors for developing Canine Osteoarthritis:
- Large Breeds-common in Labradors, Goldens, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Mastiffs
- Long Backed Breeds-common in Dachsunds, Corgis, Bichons, and Basset Hounds
- Unhealed injuries
- Genetics
- Obesity
- Bacterial infections, viruses, and fungal infections
What are the signs of Canine Osteoarthritis?
It is not uncommon for pet parents to not be aware of changes in their dogs after seeing them daily as Osteoarthritis is usually gradual. In the case of injuries or infections, the signs may be more profound and obvious. Look for these signs when trying to determine if your dog is suffering from OA:
- Exercise intolerance-slows down on walk only retrieves the ball a few times
- Hesitancy to greet you at the door
- They no longer jump on the couch but instead now climb on the couch
- Limping or holding the limb off the ground
- Holding the neck low or moving the body not the neck when looking in a direction
- Hunched back
- “Bunny” hopping when running (using both hind legs at the same time to push off)
- Sleeping more
- Crying or Yelping when moving
- Decreased appetite
So what can we do if we notice signs of Canine Osteoarthritis?
For starters, a trip to the vet would be advisable, but don’t worry if your pup is scared of the vet we’ve got you covered! If your dogs’ doctor thinks they might have some joint disease they may run some tests like bloodwork or X-rays. Once they determine the cause and severity they will likely send Fido home with some pain relievers and instructions to rest up your pup.
Another option that your vet probably will not be comfortable talking to you about is the use of a Full-Spectrum Hemp product. Hemp has been proven by research to be as powerful and in some cases more effective at relieving pain in dogs with arthritis than the chemical pharmaceuticals that you typically receive from the vet.
Hemp has many benefits but one of its greatest claims to fame is effective pain control. Hemp is safe, natural, and does not require a prescription. Also, important to note is that Hemp has very few adverse interactions with other medications and often works well in conjunction with typical pain relievers.
Follow these tips to ease the pain of Canine Osteoarthritis:
- Go natural. Genie’s Hemp Signature Blend has been scientifically formulated to help ease muscular, bone & joint discomfort in dogs.
- Feed your dog the good stuff. Research shows that (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, can help reduce inflammation.⠀
- Take a walk. Light to moderate exercise helps keep your dog’s joints mobile.
- Massage it out. Gently massage your dog’s painful joints to help restore blood flow
- Check the scale. Being overweight puts added stress on your dog’s joints which can result in more pain
- Stay in good communication with your veterinary team
- Avoid strenuous exercise and stick to low-impact activities
- Find a Certified Veterinary Rehab center that offers acupuncture, cold laser, and underwater treadmill
- Speak to your vet about joint supplements
- Invest in a quality orthopedic bed for a feel-good place to rest
