March 2, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

Up until recently, dealing with dogs' pain was relatively unheard of. This isn't because veterinarians and owners didn't care for their pets' well being, but instead little was known about what conditions or diseases dogs and cats could get, and therefore there weren't many methods of treating certain conditions such as arthritis or hip dysplasia.

Now, a lot more is known about the medical conditions that plague pets and there has been a vast improvement in the options out there for warding off problems. One treatment method that has been popping up recently is the option of physical therapy. More veterinarian practices across the U.S. have started incorporating this method along with other treatments such as using pet drugs to curb inflammation and pain. Many times, physical therapy, such as swimming, is used to help a range of problems dogs face. It has been used to loosen up joints in dogs with arthritis and to reduce a dog's anxiety or other neurological conditions.

Swimming is a great practice for arthritic dogs or those with other joint or bone conditions. This activity allows them to exercise and maintain a healthy weight while putting almost zero pressure on their achey hips and joints. Dogs that have recently suffered an accident may benefit from swim therapy as well as other holistic approaches like massages or electrical stimulation. These practices have been found to reduce inflammation while also enhancing dogs' blood circulation.

If your dog is suffering from a degenerative joint disease and you want to look into physical therapy, you will want to find a veterinarian who has plenty of experience. Search around and ask friends for recommendations for vets who have extensive coursework on physical therapy in order to make sure your pup gets the best care possible.

Although alternative medicines can be beneficial to a dog, other methods like starting the dog on a joint enhancing supplement may also keep problems at bay. Look for pet products with glucosamine for dogs such as Dasuquin to keep your dog's joints healthy by promoting fluids around the cartilage. If the condition is causing the pup to be in pain, its vet might also recommend starting the dog on anti-inflammatory medications like Previcox or Metacam. You can also help keep your dog healthy by ensuring it maintains a healthy weight by switching it to a weight management
pet food such as Now! Grain Free Dry Dog Food or even by offering it snacks like Greenies JointCare Dog Treats.

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