Pain, Pain, Go Away … (Don’t) Come Again Another Day!
(By Dr Elfrieda Havenga - Courtesy of www.petjunction.co.za : www.petshealth.co.za)
(By Dr Elfrieda Havenga - Courtesy of www.petjunction.co.za : www.petshealth.co.za)

Elsie* wiped a tear as her vet gingerly lifted Rex, her faithful ageing Labrador onto the examination table. Why hadn’t she walked him more often when he was younger? Why had she given in to the temptation of giving him extra treats off the table, instead of sticking to that balanced diet in a bag that she religiously bought her best friend? Now he’s overweight and clearly in agony when he walks. And it’s all her fault. Was there anything that could possibly be done to reverse the damage?
Take heart, Elsie. It’s never too late to make a positive impact on your osteoarthritic dog’s state of health. You can empower your dog to live life to the full, as pain-free as possible. But let’s take a look at why this joint condition occurs. The most common reason for dogs starting to slow down is chronic pain and joint stiffness caused by arthritis. It can be difficult to detect if your dog is in pain because dogs seldom complain and will often adapt their lifestyle to disguise the fact that they’re in agony.
Pointers In Painspotting:
It is important that the cause of your dog’s symptoms is diagnosed by a veterinarian, as these signs could also be due to other conditions. Prompt diagnosis enables your vet to commence with a treatment programme tailor-made for your dog.
Pointers In Pain Management
These points are quintessential in managing your dog’s osteoarthritic condition:
Take heart, Elsie. It’s never too late to make a positive impact on your osteoarthritic dog’s state of health. You can empower your dog to live life to the full, as pain-free as possible. But let’s take a look at why this joint condition occurs. The most common reason for dogs starting to slow down is chronic pain and joint stiffness caused by arthritis. It can be difficult to detect if your dog is in pain because dogs seldom complain and will often adapt their lifestyle to disguise the fact that they’re in agony.
Pointers In Painspotting:
- Dogs become reluctant to go for their usual walks
- They have difficulty rising, and seem to walk as if they’re stiff
- They have difficulty jumping
- They could be limping
- They may display a total lack of interest in their surroundings
- They may have a reduced appetite
- They could be licking or chewing their limbs
- They get tired earlier than they used to.
It is important that the cause of your dog’s symptoms is diagnosed by a veterinarian, as these signs could also be due to other conditions. Prompt diagnosis enables your vet to commence with a treatment programme tailor-made for your dog.
Pointers In Pain Management
These points are quintessential in managing your dog’s osteoarthritic condition:
- Early diagnosis of the disease.
- Regular gentle exercise. It is important that the joints are not allowed to stiffen up. Little-and-often is better than long sessions of intensive exercise. It is vital that your dog’s muscles do not shrink and waste, as they are vital in helping to support the joint. Exercise is also very important to ensure that your dog remains in good health.
- Avoid your dog becoming overweight in the first place. Joint damage is aggravated if your dog carries excess weight and pain is consequently worsened. Your vet will be able to tell you if your dog is the correct weight and can advise on a weight loss program appropriate for your dog’s condition.
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- Swimming is often a very good exercise as it will contribute all the benefits of aerobic exercise with little damaging impact on the joint surfaces.
- Discuss food supplements with your vet. There is mounting evidence that certain food supplements, e.g. glucosamine, can assist in joint flexibility and may even promote the regrowth of cartilage. Supplements may also help and some may help reduce the inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
Vet Knows Best!
Lastly, it is very important that your dog is regularly assessed by your veterinarian to ensure that your dog is on the correct treatment protocol. Ensure a long, quality life for your best friend. He’ll be grateful to you forever!