Dog Physical Therapy 1: Keep Your Dog Moving

Dog arthritis may be a debilitating disease; however, there are many forms of treatments available, including medications that help relieve symptoms to surgical procedures to repair tissue damage in the joints. Nonetheless, there are simple ways in which you can improve your dog’s condition. 

Dog physical therapy has become an important part in recovery process after surgery as well as in the management of pain and joint inflammation caused by dog arthritis. The following are some of the benefits of physical therapy:

• It prevents the muscles from shrinking.
• It speeds up the healing process.
• It helps decrease dog arthritis symptoms.
• It improves the overall health of your dog.

Although dog physical therapy is essential for treating dog arthritis, dog owners should be very careful not to overdo it. Improper physical therapy can cause injury and further worsen your dog’s condition.

Muscle Stretching

When muscles are not used, it can result in contracture wherein muscle tissue is replaced by scar tissue. The quadriceps, the muscle group found in front of thigh, is especially susceptible. To keep the muscle tissues healthy, stretching is needed. Gentle and persistent pressure should be used.

Passive Range of Motion

Initially, vets and licensed dog therapists would advise against a sudden return to full weight bearing for your inactive dog. To start with the best type of exercise for arthritic joints is passive range of motion routines. The routine will gently stretch the joints which will stop tightening of the limbs and the development of scar tissue. When passive range of motion exercise is paired with massage therapy will stop muscle contracture and helps in the distribution of the needed nutrients to the joint cartilage. 

Dog Massage Therapy

Massage is another aspect of therapy that will help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. The following are massage techniques you can apply on your dog:

• Effleurage

• Passive touch

• Kneading

• Stroking

What next?

Start using light weight-bearing exercises when your dog is able to walk again. Shallow pool workouts and underwater treadmill sessions are helpful in improving their disposition, strengthening their muscles and cardiovascular system, and reducing inflammation and pressure sores.

 

Simple treatment for dog arthritis consists of medications, supplements, exercises, and massage. It is also important to realize that treatment is a continuing process. And, it is important to start the treatment as soon as possible especially with dogs with spinal injuries or dogs having carts and slings. Continue reading to part 2 of the series.

Dog Physical Therapy 1 (PDF) 

How Are Those Dog Arthritis Glucosamine Supplements Helping?

Are the Dog Arthritis Glucosamine Supplements Helping?

When your dog is suffering from the pain of dog arthritis, you’ll do anything to make his life improve and one of the things you may have used are glucosamine supplements for dog arthritis relief.

That’s wonderful! This indicates you’re a caring friend, but before you go hailing success, let’s make sure that the glucosamine supplements are really doing the job.

In just a few minutes I’ll tell you everything you need to know so you can decide whether or not you’re going to continue with the glucosamine supplements, or try a combination of supplements.

 

Top 3 Questions about Glucosamine Supplements

How do I know if the glucosamine supplements are actually helping my dog?

How long will it take to see recognizable improvements after I begin giving the glucosamine supplements to my suffering dog?

What are the most common reasons why my dog might not benefit currently from the supplements to end pain?

These are some good questions. Let’s discover the answers:

How to Tell if the Dog Arthritis Glucosamine Supplements are Actually Helping My Dog

You are looking for improvements in the following areas:

Mobility issues: Less problems rising after laying down and more limber - moves with ease.

Lameness Issues: Less limping - will he put more weight on his arthritic leg?

Joint Licking: Is there a decrease in joint licking and chewing episodes?

Behavioral Changes: Has your dog’s aggression level decreased? Is he friendlier like before? Is he eating well?

You can observe all these factors for yourself and calculate the results accurately, keep a detailed log of your observations and perform them once per week for a two-month period. Then you’ll be able to judge the results and tell if your dog’s arthritis is better or not.

Length of Time to Continue the Supplements?

Veterinarians recommend a two month minimum trial period. If you don’t see results after two months, don’t stop the treatment until you talk with your vet.

Glucosamine delivers results over a longer period of time - it’s not a quick fix!  You also won’t see results if the dog arthritis is caused by other symptoms or conditions that need treatment. For example, dog joint supplements don’t help much for knee ailments like cruciate ligament ruptures that need surgery.

Your vet can diagnose the underlying cause of you dog’s arthritis and advise the proper treatment and medications. These treatments may include dog glucosamine, but it’s very likely it will be a combination of a medications and procedures.

Carefully observing your dog, combined with veterinary consultations, can go a long way to relieving your dog’s painful arthritis.

Dog Arthritis Glucosamine Supplements (PDF) 

Dance Steps toward Less Pain: Easy Dog Arthritis Physical Therapy

Another important aspect of dog arthritis treatment is physical therapy. For humans, physical therapy would mean repetitive movements with the help of a therapist or a machine, and can be very expensive and time consuming. However for dogs, it can be simple and enjoyable. 

Believe it or not, dancing with your dog is a legitimate type of physical therapy. Give it a try and be surprised at the amazing results. The following are the benefits of dance: 

• It helps their ability to bear weight on their hind legs

• It helps build muscle mass

• It helps improve your dog’s balance

By now you are wondering how such a fun, simple activity can help your pet overcome dog arthritis. The answer is simple, dancing is like exercising. When you dance with your dog, you hold their front paws, and your dog is forced to stand upright. This position adds more weight on the hind legs. When a muscle is used more, it gets stronger. This is good for your dog since the muscles surrounding joints protect them from wear and tear. Strong muscles in the hind legs mean healthier joints that are not easily injured.  

As mentioned, it is an unnatural position for dogs to stand upright. Therefore owners should take things slowly. Be very observant - look for when your dog is in pain or when your dog is getting tired. The objective here is to help and not to cause injury.

When dancing is done right your dog needs to concentrate on the movements.  As a result, your dog’s balance is improved and he will be able to familiarize himself with how you dance, anticipating the movements which will make him move with you in harmony!

So when you have decided to use dance therapy to treat dog arthritis, remember that dog dancing should be aimed at:

• Strengthening the joints. Standing on the back legs can be a helpful exercise for dogs with hind limb arthritis. The additional weight placed on the hind limbs will strengthen the muscles of the legs.

• Increasing muscle mass. Muscle mass is only increased through physical activity. With an increase in muscle mass, the joints are stable and less prone to injury. The increased muscle mass also protects the joints from wear and tear.  

• Improving balance. Dogs are not made to dance. It takes a lot of concentration for them to dance. However, with their focus sharpened their balance is greatly improved and they become more conscious of their movements. This can protect your dog from joint injuries that can worsen dog arthritis.  

Physical therapy will definitely help your dog overcome some of the pain related to dog arthritis. That is why dog owner should at least invest some of their time in administering physical therapy and dog dancing is a good place to start.

Dog Arthritis Physical Therapy (PDF) 

Are Dog Arthritis Glucosamine Supplements Helpful?

Do not let your dog suffer from the pain of dog arthritis; you should try everything to make his life better. And one of those things you’ve been trying is glucosamine supplements for canines.

That’s terrific! Obviously you’re a caring pet owner, but before you go congratulating yourself, let’s check to see if those glucosamine supplements are really working.

In just five minutes I’ll be able to tell you everything you need to know about glucosamine supplements so you can decide whether or not you’re going to continue to use the supplement, or try something different.

 

Here are The Top 3 Questions Regarding Glucosamine Supplements

1.    When do I know if the glucosamine supplements are really helping?

2.    How much time before I see improvement once I begin giving my dog glucosamine supplements?

3.    What are the disadvantages as to why my dog might not benefit from these dog joint supplement drugs?

Now let’s discover the answers:

How to tell if the Dog Arthritis Glucosamine Supplements are actually Helping

Search for improvements regarding the following:

•    Mobility: frisky and limber

•    Lameness: limping less and willing to put more weight on his arthritic joints when standing, walking, running or jumping

•    Joint Licking: less joint licking and chewing

•    Behavioral Changes: aggression and tension dropped or lessened, or have a more friendlier attitude and a good appetite

You can pay to have a professional study conducted but don’t bother. You can observe these conditions yourself without spending a penny. For best results, keep a log of your dog’s activity during his performance on normal movements once per week for a two-three month period for actual results. This is how long it will take to accurately judge if your dog’s arthritis symptoms are improving or deteriorating.

What Time Length Should I Continue Administering the Glucosamine Supplements?

A two month minimum trial is required for the glucosamine supplements - it’s never a quick fix for dog arthritis. After two months, without any improvements consult your vet before discontinuing treatments. It’s a possibility that there maybe extenuating circumstances that should be identified such as cruciate ligament ruptures.

Your veterinarian can diagnose the cause of you dog’s arthritis and recommend other  treatments. The treatment could include dog glucosamine, but the vet may recommend several supplements and progressive treatments to help your pet. Continued observations on your part and consultations with your vet, can go a long way to relieving your dog’s painful arthritis condition.