Depending on the severity of the condition, arthritis can cause excruciating pain. 1 out of 5 dogs is suffering from this chronic condition and though there is no known cure yet, there are a lot of treatment methods to help relieve the pain and reduce inflammation.
Giving regular massage is a good arthritis pain relief for dogs. It will definitely help in increasing flexibility and blood circulation. It's also very effective in soothing pain and in relaxing the muscles. Start gently using small circular motions, it will be better if you apply medicated massage oil. Apply the oil twice a day and massage your dog for about 15 minutes.
If you see your dog being uneasy or has trouble staying still for long periods of time, you have to start with shorter sessions and then gradually increase the duration. The best time to do the massage session will be early in the morning and evening. A morning massage will help ease the stiffness from the night's activity while an evening massage is beneficial to relieve muscle and joint tension resulting from the day's activities. Massage is not a cure for the said degenerative disease but it sure is an effective arthritis pain relief for dogs and if done on a regular basis, you can prevent the disease from further advancing.
Another effective arthritis pain relief for dogs is heat therapy. We all know that arthritic pain tends to be on its worst when it's cold. You can use hot water bottles or hot compresses to help relieve the pain. Heat helps soothe and relax the muscles and joints. Place the hot water bottle or hot compress on top of the affected area for about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not make the water too hot otherwise your dog might not be able to tolerate it. Also, a heated bed or pad will help in making your dog more comfortable when he goes to sleep at night. Heated pads cost from $30 to $60.
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