If your dog is suffering from hip pain, the condition is likely caused by arthritis. This occurs when there is an abnormal change in the joints. A more serious form is hip dysplasia, a condition that affects many large dogs as they age.
There are many steps--from prescription medications and lifestyle changes to alternative treatments and cushioned beds--you can take to alleviate your dog's pain from these conditions.
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Prescriptions
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There are multiple prescription medications available from your veterinarian to relieve your dog's pain. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as the brand name drugs Etogesic, Rimadyl and Deramaxx.
Exercise
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Making some lifestyle changes may also help your dog. If he is overweight, help him drop a few pounds. If he isn't overweight, ensure that you manage his diet and help him get enough exercise so that he doesn't become overweight. Carrying extra pounds increases the discomfort associated with arthritis.
Exercise is also important to ensure the dog maintains as much mobility as possible and keeps the joints moving and flexible. Leash walks and swimming are good types of exercise for a dog suffering from hip pain. Exercise should be daily and the sessions should be kept short. Exercising for long periods of time and only a few days a week can do more harm than good.
Accommodations
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Your dog should be sleeping on a cushioned surface if she is suffering from arthritis. A soft bed will help alleviate some of her discomfort.
Cold temperatures also aggravate the discomforts associated with arthritis. Keeping the temperature a little warmer in your house may ease your dog's pain. Also, put your dog's sleeping area in a warm spot away from drafts.
Look at places in your house and yard frequented by your dog and consider if you need to install ramps to make it easier for your dog to gain access to the places she's used to going.
Alternative Treatments
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Alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy are being used more often in treating pets and these two alternative treatments are said to be especially effective in alleviating the discomfort associated with arthritis.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society's website provides a tool that will help you locate a practitioner of either massage therapy or acupuncture in your area. Many homeopathic and holistic veterinarians are often practitioners as well. Check out the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's website to find a holistic veterinarian.
Your veterinarian may also be able to show you how to do some forms of massage at home that will ease the pain in your dog's hips.
Herbs
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You may consider consulting with a homeopathic veterinarian about possible herbal solutions that could alleviate your dog's pain. Herbs often used in the treatment of pain in canines include feverfew, skullcap, St.-John's Wort, licorice, cayenne, ginger, turmeric and yucca.
Essential Oils
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Essential oils are also used in treating pain and can be mixed into a topical solution that can be used with other treatments. Into an ounce of olive oil add 10 drops of each of the following essential oils: Lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, rose, rosemary, ginger and birch oil. This mixture can be rubbed into the swollen joints to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Supplements
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Some homeopathic practitioners and veterinarians recommend various supplements for dogs with hip pain. Glucosamine, chondroiton, fish oil and Vitamin C have been shown to provide some relief from arthritis pain.
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