Top canine arthritis treatment Resources

Canine arthritis treatment guidelines

Arthritis is inflammation in a joint. Arthritis in dog is canine arthritis. Many forms of arthritis occur in the dog. They are osteoarthritis, Immune-mediated arthritis, Infective arthritis, and Idiopathic. The most common form of the disease is osteoarthritis. This is joint disease involving degeneration of the articular cartilage, then remodeling and new bone formation resulting in the signs of arthritis. The symptoms are gradual onset of lameness in one or more limb, less inclination for walks, reluctance to climb stairs, onset of stiffness and pain on palpation of the joints. The effective treatment methods are discussed below. If cause is trauma, surgical repair of ligaments may be necessary to stabilize the joint. Fitness and exercise are important. Anti-inflammatory medications are necessary to control pain and inflammation. Acupuncture gives excellent results in pain management and eliminates the requirement for medications. Herbal medicine gives great benefits as they treat the animal in a holistic manner.

Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation at the nerve endings so that the dog is at least comfortable even if the range of motion may be compromised. Because there is no "cure" for arthritis, management is the key to treat arthritis. The time to treat potential abnormal joint changes is before the stress impact the joint conformation. There are effective medications like Prednisone, dexamethasone, and other corticosteroids, which will reduce swelling and inflammation to affected joints, but they can contribute to additional joint damage. Herbal products such as Devil's Claw, Meadowsweet, White willow bark, Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, and Selenium all assist in decreasing inflammation. Herbs not only contain natural pain relieving properties but assist by cleansing the toxins from the body. Devils Claw has proven to be highly effective for its anti-inflammatory nature and White Willow bark and Meadow sweet are both considered to be providing general pain relief. With arthritis it is also important to reduce the acidity in the body. This can be by Meadowsweet, which will neutralize the acid in the stomach.

Disclaimer : The text presented on these pages is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

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