OH, MY ACHING JOINTS!!

Summer is here and with it comes the heat and humidity.  While we all look forward to the hot, sunny, and carefree days of summer, there are a large number of us that despise the humidity associated with the beautiful weather.

And it’s not just humans who can suffer, but our fur babies often suffer in silence.  Dogs are very good at hiding their pain and it’s therefore up to us to look for signs of pain in our pets and help them.

Many dogs, usually around the age of eight years or older, can begin to develop some type of joint pain.  Pain in the joints can be due to various conditions, such as arthritis.  

While our beloved pets are good at hiding pain, there are certain signs you can look for which will indicate that your beloved fur baby may be suffering.

Does your energetic pup seem to be a little more lethargic than he used to be, spending more time sleeping in his bed? Or have you noticed that he doesn’t run up and jump to greet you when you come home? You may also notice a slight limp while out walking, or not wanting to walk as long as he used to.  Your pup may also show signs of irritability or he may start chewing or biting himself in certain areas.

All of these things can be signs that your fur baby may be having joint pain.  Humidity can often cause more inflammation in the joints, thus increasing the pain felt.

If your pup is middle aged and is showing any of these signs, it’s time to go see the vet and get a proper diagnosis and get on a treatment program.

If your pup is overweight this can be a contributing factor to joint pain and putting your pup on a diet to take off excess weight is a good place to start. Start by eliminating all his “treats” and stop feeding him any table scraps or pieces of cheese.

If your pup is feeling pain in his joints, vigorous exercise will only enhance the pain.  Instead you should take your pup on shorter walks, at a gentle pace, on a regular daily basis.  If you have access to a pool or lake, swimming is a great form of exercise, as it’s not weight bearing.

Be sure that your furry friend has a comfortable, well-padded bed to sleep on.  Sore joints only get worse if your pup is sleeping on a cold, hard floor.

If your pup seems to be in a lot of discomfort a good massage may help reduce some pain.  There are dog therapists available to give your pup a massage a couple of times a week, and this should help alleviate some pain.

Once you have seen your vet, he or she can prescribe medications to help reduce inflammation in the joints, and medication to help reduce pain.

You may also be advised to give your pup certain supplements to help with joint pain. Medacam or other medications may be suggested or, if the pain is more severe, there are monthly injections that may be given to help your fur ball to feel better.

Regardless of your pup’s age, always be aware of changes in his general health and well-being. Consult your vet and get your pup the help and relief he needs to ease the pain in his joints so he can continue to have a good, healthy and pain free life.