Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Dealing With Canine Arthritis

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Dogs are the man’s best friend. Most people would agree tot his line, especially those who has or who had dogs at home. Like human, dogs are exposed to arthritis. If you have seen dogs who are limping or moves as if his joints are giving him severe pain, it could be the case of dog arthritis. Common house remedy for dog arthritis is aspirin for dogs. But the best way to start treating it is consulting a vet.There are many factors which can cause arthritis in canines. The most common reasons are as follows:

* Dog arthritis is no different from the human arthritis. Throughout the course of the life span the joints will suffer from wear and tear. In serious circumstances the bones may begin degenerating and trigger osteoarthritis. This can be a unpleasant and distressing for your pet. This may even cause their death if correct treatment and care is not supplied to them. Another dog arthritis medication commonly prescribed is Etodolac 400 mg.

* One more major cause is the age. A popular myth is that as dogs grow older they are much more inclined to arthritis. In reality, dogs of any age can suffer from arthritis. Without a doubt the older dogs are a lot more inclined to arthritis and related illnesses; nevertheless that does not imply that more youthful ones are completely immune from it. Younger dogs may develop dog arthritis if they have prolonged a joint injuries.

* And last but not the least, other things that cause arthritis in dogs are diseases and infections. Hip dysplasia can develop into arthritis as the dog gets older. It is actually a canine disease that causes limping.

The remedies

Responsible dog care means bringing the pet to a vet if you notice some unusual changes in your dog that showed as symptoms. Usually physical examinations and xrays will be taken for diagnosis of the condition.

Here are some of the treatment for arthritis.

• A healthy diet plan and well ordered physical exercise regime under the supervision of the veterinary assists in long phrase management of arthritis in dogs.

• Control of weight is essential. Suggested physical exercise include leash walking, mild controlled jogging and aqua exercises like swimming, under water treadmill and so on.

• Alternative treatments such as acupuncture can also be helpful.

• Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs rich in glucosamine, vitamin C, Omega 3 and fatty acids assist to decrease the pain and swelling. This can be combined with some over the counter medication. But be cautious while offering medicines to your dog. Quite a few medicines meant for people are poisonous to dogs.

• A more pricey alternative is to go for surgical procedure. Arthroscopy is a modestly invasive surgical procedure used to help combat the illness in shoulders, elbows and so on. Broken joints may be fused together making use of metal implants. The newest technology as well allows for elbow and hip replacements. Having said that, the age and the general wellness of your dog may well not allow surgical methods.

Therefore ensure a healthy lifestyle for your dog and in case your dog has an arthritis, consult a vet. Caring for a dog differs depending on the pets’ age. secrets to dog training review is helpful for pups and youthful dogs. But with older dogs, dog arthritis and health issues must be taken into consideration.

Help! My Dog’s Claws Are Too Long

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Claws, or nails, are dead, horny structures on the ends of each of a dog’s toes. The special skin that makes them has a very rich blood supply, and the claws of some young dogs up to two years old have been recorded as growing as much as six inches per week. In older dogs, the claws may grow at half that rate.

Claws are very useful parts of a dog’s anatomy. They can help him to hold objects, will provide grip when he is moving and can even be used as weapons. Of the many nail disorders that may affect dogs, overlong claws and broken claws are the most common.

A dog’s claws grow all the time, and under normal circumstances they are constantly worn down through wear and tear. Overlong claws are caused by insufficient wear and tear, and dogs who are inactive because of age, illness or the laziness of their owners are most likely to suffer from them. The outer two claws on each paw and the dew claws are those that are most likely to be affected. Damage to the claws is often the result of digging or scrambling, and is more likely to occur if the claws are overlong.

Overlong claws will affect the way a dog walks, and will make his feet more prone to other injuries such as sprains. If left untreated, the claws may eventually grow around in a circle and bury themselves into the toe pads, causing severe pain.

If you think that your dog’s claws may be too long, ask your vet, a veterinary nurse or a professional dog-groomer to look at the claws for you. If they are too long, he or she will clip them. If your dog’s lifestyle means that this problem may recur, ask for a demonstration of how to clip your dog’s claws properly and safely yourself. Many owners are very reluctant to clip their dogs’ claws from the fear that they may make the claws bleed, or that they may hurt their dogs. However, there is no guarantee that a claw will not bleed even if your vet or a dog groomer clips them, as judging the correct length can be very difficult, especially if the claws are jet-black.

If you do cut a claw and it bleeds, you can stop the bleeding with a styptic pencil. Any pain associated with claw clipping is usually due to the use of blunt or inappropriate clippers, which
squeeze rather than cutting cleanly. Few dogs enjoy having their claws clipped, but those used to having their feet examined regularly as part of routine health-checks will normally tolerate the experience. However, some dogs resent the procedure so much that they have to be sedated.

With a broken claw, if the tip is hanging off but the claw is not bleeding and does not look raw, you may be able to clip it free. The toe may be painful, however, so you should muzzle your dog first and ask someone to restrain him properly for you. If the claw is badly damaged, and particularly if it looks raw or is bleeding, bandage the affected paw. This will stop the claw from moving, and will make your dog more comfortable until you can take him to your vet.

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