Dogs are great companions for exercise, playing games, hiking and many other activities. Like human beings, your dog won't feel like exerting much physical effort if they suffer from joint pain. The good news is there are steps that can be taken to help relieve inflammation in your dog's joints.
Instructions
Help your dog keep his joints lubricated. A dog's joints are lubricated by synovial fluid. To keep it flowing and feeding joint tissue, motion is necessary. This can include taking your dog for a light walk or allowing him to swim. Strenuous exercise should be avoided as this will cause more pain and joint swelling.
Give your dog a massage every day. This does not have to be time consuming, it may only take 5-15 minutes depending on the dog's size. Massaging your dog will help increase the blood flow to joints and loosen constriction in the muscles. Focus most of your attention on the hip and shoulder areas since these are the areas most affected by arthritis.
Treat your dog's pain if necessary. Pain may be present depending on the severity of joint inflammation. It should be noted that painkillers should be taken in conjunction with lifestyle changes like more exercise and weight management. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Exdol are commonly prescribed analgesic medications. Aspirin and Anacin are NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) pain relievers than can be purchased over the counter. Consult your veterinarian before administering any medication.
If degenerative arthritis is the problem, more invasive methods may be required. Surgery may be the only option if the dog's pain is too intense or joints have been seriously damaged. One type of surgery is arthroscopic surgery which means a vet will make tiny incisions and clean out the cartilage. Your veterinarian may also recommend a more invasive surgery to replace an entire damaged joint with an artificial one. There are also surgeries directed at repairing, fusing or rebuilding a joint