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By Beth Taylor and Steve Brown
Conditions caused by poor joint structure, like hip dysplasia,
may be inherited. They may also be strongly influenced by diet and
other environmental factors, both before and after birth. If cartilage
deteriorates, and bone begins to rub on bone, surgery, drugs or
both may be recommended. Sometimes surgery is recommended for young
dogs to avoid the development of arthritis later.
A fresh food diet, a good exercise program, chiropractic and other
supportive treatments won't eliminate a poorly structured hip,
knee, or elbow, but they may eliminate the symptoms and the need
for surgery.
We've seen great results from the strategies detailed below,
and hope you'll try them before resorting to surgery.
Why Does Your Dog Hurt?
Joints float in soft tissue, which acts as a shock absorber. The
stability of joints is determined by the integrity of the muscles
and tendons that cross the joint. The brain gets information from
every cell of the body. If all is well, the joints send information
to the brain and the brain sends back information via the nervous
system to tell all parts of the muscular structure what to do. If
all the muscles are functioning well, the dog's hip moves as
it should.
A poorly formed joint, however, is more likely to malfunction or
be injured. If inflammation is present from injury, diet or disease,
joint function is affected. Injuries change communication between
the brain and the joint too.
When this happens, the information loop with the brain is impaired,
and it deteriorates further as incorrect information is circulated.
Over time, the muscles no longer support the joint properly. Your
dog begins to limp. Cartilage deteriorates. Soon, bone is rubbing
against bone, and your dog is in serious pain.
A veterinarian may X-ray the painful area. If a problem is seen,
surgery is often recommended, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAID) or steroids are often prescribed to reduce pain and
inflammation.
Surgery as well
as NSAIDs and
steroids can be
just as life-threatening to your pet, as they are to you. Eventually,
the relief to be gained may outweigh the risks involved, but these
are choices to consider only after diet, exercise and non-invasive
medical supports have been explored.
A broader view of treatment focuses on healing. The goal is to
improve the function of the entire body, allowing the problem area
to heal. If the nervous system works properly, stability is restored
to the joint. If dietary and functional causes of inflammation are
removed, pain may be eliminated. The steps below will help you optimize
the function of imperfect joints, and help your dog feel the very
best he can.
Diet: The Major Influence on Inflammation
Feed your dog real food! Real food gives the body the raw materials
to balance inflammatory and anti-inflammatory chemicals naturally
and to produce the fluids that cushion joints.
Dogs who have joint problems are often eating dry food. Dry food
has more grain than any other ingredient, even if the first ingredient
listed is meat. Dogs are physiologically designed to thrive on
a meat-based diet. Even enhanced with glucosamine or omega-3
fatty acids, dry foods promote
the production of inflammatory chemicals because the main ingredient
is grain.
Inflammation and improper immune function are involved in all of
these conditions:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Irritable bowel disease
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Arthritis
- Other immune-related conditions
Dogs with these conditions are more at risk for joint inflammation
because they already have high levels of inflammatory chemicals
circulating in their bodies. Radical improvement is often seen when
these dogs are switched to a grain- free, fresh food diet.
Keep your dog lean! A 14-year study by Nestle Purina conclusively
proved lean dogs have much less arthritis, live longer and maintain
muscle mass longer into old age. (1) Those muscles will help to
keep your dog moving well as he ages. If there is a joint problem,
removing the stress on joints caused by excess weight is essential.
(See the list of articles at the foot of this column for other
articles on food, and read our book, [/forms/see-spot-live-longer.aspx]See
Spot Live Longer, for more information.)
Exercise Improves Everything
Rebuilding and maintaining muscle supports joints and builds a
strong nervous system to help all body systems work at their best.
Swimming is an excellent non-weight bearing exercise to build the
muscles that support joints without stressing them. Free swimming
gets things moving beautifully, and can quickly make a radical change
in how a dog feels. When pain doesn't interfere with movement
in the supportive environment of the water, the body can move normally.
Dogs feel better immediately. Gradually, the communication between
brain and joints improves, and muscle starts to rebuild.
When your dog feels better, he'll be ready for more weight-bearing
exercise. On land, walking and trotting, use the body in natural
ways. Varied terrain (mild inclines, grass in addition to pavement)
provides exercise for different muscle groups. As your dog becomes
more fit, alternate short bursts of sprinting until he is out of
breath with walking slower until he's ready to go again.
Always remember to build slowly and watch for signs of stress.
If your dog isn't keeping up, it's not because he is lazy!
- Panting with a big tongue means, stop for a while.
- Don't exercise in hot weather unless the dog is swimming
(dogs don't have efficient cooling methods).
- Support your dog hopping in and especially out of vehicles.
- Avoid overdoing exercise.
- Frequent short sessions are more effective than longer ones.
It is necessary to push the system a bit to make progress, but
if you go too far, muscles are damaged and progress is delayed.
It's easy for an old guy with a little too much enthusiasm
to hurt himself.
These are just a few of many ways to improve canine fitness. Even
short walks oxygenate the blood, helping the body get rid of the
waste products that contribute to a dog feeling sluggish, tired
and achy.
Supportive Medical Treatment
Despite the misconception by many that it's only good for
moving "stuck" bones, chiropractic treatments can restore
function to the nervous system, which drives all movement. When
proper communication is restored, joints will be better supported
by the muscles and tendons.
Most dogs respond very well to chiropractic, tending to heal and
rebuild muscle quickly. Often a few visits make a radical difference
in how your dog feels. Visits may be frequent at first, then scheduled
further apart. A young, fit dog with a joint problem may do well
on quarterly maintenance. Old dogs that have severe, long-term problems
may be seen monthly for maintenance, once major issues have been
resolved.
Acupuncture is very effective for pain relief, and helps to remove
energetic blockages to good health in all areas.
To find a practitioner, visit the sites of the American
Veterinary Chiropractic Association and the American
Holistic Veterinary Association. Personal recommendations may
help you locate the most effective practitioner in your area.
Acupressure, Massage and Touch
Although these techniques are practiced by professionals, you can
learn to use them yourself. For example, range-of-motion exercises
taught in most books are of great benefit for dogs with restricted
movement. Books, classes and videos provide a wide range of effective
tools.
You don't have to be a medical professional to learn enough
to help your animal considerably. The additional benefit is a deeper
relationship with your dog!
Help Your Dog Live Longer!
We believe taking these steps may save your dog from surgery. If
surgery is needed, they will help to support the fullest possible
recovery. Good diet, exercise, chiropractic and acupuncture used
as part of an ongoing health care program will enhance the health
of any living being.
Follow the guidelines in our book, [/forms/see-spot-live-longer.aspx]See
Spot Live Longer, and reduce the chance that a dog in your care
will have joint problems!
References
- Kealy Richard et al. "Effects of diet restriction on life
span and age-related changes in dogs," Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 220, No. 9, May 1, 2002.
1315-1320.
Feel free to contact Steve or Beth for more information at bat31@earthlink.net.
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