When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
Alternative Therapy Treatments You Can Try For Your Dog's Arthritis Pain
Lucy Grant
When your dog has arthritis, they can become far less active than they used to be. Arthritis can be very painful, and can cause your dog to become lethargic, overweight, and unhappy. If you are leery of trying traditional pain medication to alleviate their pain but still want them to have some relief in their hips, shoulders, and other affected areas, you can try alternative therapy. Here are some alternative healing methods you can try to alleviate your dog's arthritis pain that you can discuss with your veterinarian.
Water therapy
Water therapy is a great way to help your dog regain movement and become more active without placing undue pressure on their joints. This type of alternative therapy works by placing your dog in a protective harness attached to an underwater treadmill. Your dog can then walk on the treadmill and not be subject to pressure due to the weightless factor of water. This type of therapy helps reduce inflammation in their joints and gives them better movement. It can be done in conjunction with other therapy treatments or as a stand-alone healing technique.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used for many pet ailments, including hip pain and nerve issues. Acupuncture works by placing very thin needles into pressure points, which stimulates the body's natural response to heal, and may be a great way to help reduce your dog's inflammation and pain. Your veterinarian can help you locate a licensed acupuncturist in your area to perform this kind of treatment on your dog to help them with their arthritis symptoms.
Massage
Massage therapy for pets is a great way to help your dog with their arthritis symptoms. Massage therapy entails using positive motion to gently apply pressure to swollen muscle tissue to help reduce pain and keep inflammation at bay. When having massage therapy performed on your dog, make sure you choose a practitioner who is experienced in dealing with arthritic pet patients so they know the exact way to treat your pet's specific symptoms.
If you are worried about your dog's overall health, make sure you talk to a veterinarian, such as at the Downing Center For Animal Pain Management, first before undergoing any type of alternative therapy practices. Your vet can help you choose the right treatment for your dog as well as make suggestions for traditional methods of treatment that can work with alternative healing practices. Your dog's health and comfort is important to you, and you can help keep their pain at bay with different types of alternative therapy treatments for arthritis.
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