May Is Arthritis Awareness Month – Let’s Look At Dogs

May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis is not only for humans it hits us dogs and other animals too. Today I wanted to talk a bit about things you can do to help your best furry friend if arthritis is a problem. As with people, it is not only something that effects seniors, it can be a problem for young dogs too.

I never met Katie, but Mom tells me she was such a sweet girl. She had a lot of trouble with arthritis starting when she was around ten years old. By the time she was almost fourteen, she would fall a lot as her back legs were not able to function well enough anymore. Mom tried many different products to help her over the years, and even a leash to hold up her back end on walks. Eventually she could no longer go upstairs, but she always wanted to walk.

Bailie has some arthritis first diagnosed when she was nine. Mom noticed it at FastCAT. She could do her first run, but after her second run, she would limp. This is why she finished her DCAT and then retired from the sport. Mom has her taking Rejenease twice a day in her food and it seems to help. Nelson keeps her active in the backyard, even running. We haven’t seen any limping for a while. Bailie will be eleven in a month, and she still loves to play and take long walks.

My arthritis comes from an injury, we don’t know how I did it or what, but my front leg was painful for a long time and I was only six. After visiting the rehab clinic and taking different treatments, we settled on Adequan. It has been a wonder drug for my arthritis. My symptoms are completely gone and I am jumping up on things I never ever jumped on. I get one shot at home every four weeks and it really works for me!

If your dog seems painful and arthritic, check with your veterinarian for a diagnosis, or perhaps a rehab clinic. Other things you can do to help dogs with arthritis are:

• Keep your dog at a proper weight. Overweight dogs have much more trouble.
• Nutritional supplements.
• Memory foam beds made for dogs with arthritis.
• Fitness, low impact, to keep muscles strong and your pup mobile.
• Ramps in place of stairs to get onto couches or beds.
• Massages.

We are thankful our arthritis is under control and we hope if your best friend is suffering you can get some help for her too!

My GBGV Life is joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!