Dog Arthritis: Glucosamine Can Provide Comfort in Old Age
October 1, 2009
As a dog’s age progresses, they may begin to develop arthritic problems, just as humans do. A good diet and exercise regime can help to prevent this, but 20% of dogs still develop arthritis in old age. Used as the number one arthritis supplement for dogs, Glucosamine has proven to work very well in helping form cartilage around the joints and limiting ill effects.
So What Is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine occurs naturally in the living body. It is a very important compound that produces and repairs the cartilage around joints, improving flexibility and movement. Because it is a naturally occurring compound, Glucosamine is an effective supplement.
The medicinal form is manufactured from the shells of crustaceans such, as lobster, shrimp and crab. Combined with Chondroitin Sulphate, which occurs naturally in the cartilage of joints, it is the most popular treatment with vets for arthritis in dogs.
The Uses of Glucosamine
As dogs grow older and the years of running and jumping begin to take their toll on their joints, the cartilage loses its flexibility and becomes stiff. This is the onset of osteoarthritis, and it occurs in the same way as humans. Do you notice a common theme coming up in our discussions?—Dogs are living creatures and thus experience them same problems as we do as their bodies suffer time.
To further hit on this point, note that many people who are involved in physical sports also take Glucosamine in the form of tablets or sports drinks to keep the joints supple and flexible, preventing stiffness after playing sports. As taking Glucosamine is believed to supplement the body’s own production and has an anti-inflammatory effect, it is ideal for the treatment of arthritis in dogs. It is also believed to have a pain relieving effect. These properties together make it the number one treatment for arthritis in older dogs.
Taking Away the Pain…….
Arthritis is almost impossible to cure in dogs and most will suffer from it at some stage in their life. The best that can be done is to manage the problem. Even though exercise may seem to be painful to both the dog and an energy drain for you, with the correct painkiller and anti-inflammatory, exercise will release the fluids that lubricate the limbs and be of great benefit to your dog. Using Glucosamine appears to help in all of these areas.
Application
Glucosamine can be applied in several ways, but the introduction of a paste has made it much easier. Most dogs aren’t keen on taking pills. How many times have you had to pry those jaws open to give them an essential vitamin and had them writhe and squirm away? Using a paste is very popular with vets because it is much easier to apply. You can just mix it with your dog’s favorite food and they will not even know it was there.
You couldn’t ask for an easier way to confront your dog’s arthritis problem. No one wants to watch their dog suffer, so take this necessary step to prevent problems in the future or deal with them as they arise. Arthritis may seem impossible to cure, but with some pain-relieving aids, such as heating pads and sweaters on cold nights, and the proper supplements, the pain can be lessened to ensure a more comfortable life for a senior dog.
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