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How To Treat Hip Dysplasia In Dogs
Without Surgery?
If your dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, surgery is the only way to cure your dog of the disease.
Some dogs are not good candidates for surgery, other pet parents don't wish to pursue surgical intervention.
So there are a lot of anxious pet owners who want to know how to treat hip dysplasia in dogs without
surgery. You cannot cure your dog of hip dysplasia without surgery. However, there are things you can do to
help your dog have less pain, better mobility and better of quality of life even if they have been diagnosed
with hip dysplasia, and you don't pursue surgery.
Make sure that your dog is lean
Make sure that your dog is lean
One of the most important things that you can do is make sure that your dog is lean. The single most
effective and important treatment is maintaining a healthy weight. If your dog is overweight, they will
be placing more strain on their joints which increases the pain and inflammation they experience.
The easiest thing is the hand test. So you want to fill your dog's ribs which are located right behind your dog's front legs, and you run your fingers along them and they should feel like a washboard. They should feel like the back of your hand if the ribs feel like the palm of your hand right. You can't feel them anywhere then your dog is too heavy and you need to talk with your veterinarian about helping your dog lose weight. If the ribs are sticking out or they feel more like your knuckles, then your dog is too thin and you need to talk to your veterinarian about how to appropriately feed your dog.
The easiest thing is the hand test. So you want to fill your dog's ribs which are located right behind your dog's front legs, and you run your fingers along them and they should feel like a washboard. They should feel like the back of your hand if the ribs feel like the palm of your hand right. You can't feel them anywhere then your dog is too heavy and you need to talk with your veterinarian about helping your dog lose weight. If the ribs are sticking out or they feel more like your knuckles, then your dog is too thin and you need to talk to your veterinarian about how to appropriately feed your dog.
Do low-impact exercise
The second most important thing is low-impact exercise. Even though your dog may become reluctant to
exercise, you should continue to encourage it. Physical therapist always says motion is lotion, so the
more you can get your dog out moving around that will increase synovial cell fluid, which is joint fluid
that will help the joint food to circulate that will keep the muscles strong. This is a framework that
supports the joints and that will keep the metabolism up, which will help the dog not get too heavy. It
is important that the exercise is low impact and performed on a regular basis. So low-impact exercise
such as walking, especially on soft, uneven surfaces like grass or trails. Swimming is a fantastic
exercise, and walking underwater on a treadmill with a canine rehabilitation is rehabilitation
specialists great way to treat hip dysplasia.
Control dog’s pain levels
The third important thing is making sure that your dog's pain is controlled with appropriate pain
medication. Either traditional western medicine or a variety of alternative treatments. Another thing
that's really important is making sure that those joints are cushioned and that your dog has a
supportive sleeping surface to sleep on. Dogs with arthritis and joint pain may be afraid to walk on
smooth surfaces such as hardwood or tile because of their limited mobility and the pain they feel if
they fall.
Using non-slip mats and rugs on slippery floors can help your dog move around the house without worrying about slipping. Placing non-slip carpets at the bottom and top of stairs and near sofas and beds will help reduce joint pain in dogs by reducing the impact on joints.
Using non-slip mats and rugs on slippery floors can help your dog move around the house without worrying about slipping. Placing non-slip carpets at the bottom and top of stairs and near sofas and beds will help reduce joint pain in dogs by reducing the impact on joints.
Do Physical Therapy
Last but not least, don't neglect physical therapy. For senior dogs and those who cannot undergo
surgery, medical management at home can be effective in managing pain. Home treatment for hip dysplasia
is also often recommended for dogs with mild to moderate disease.
The most commonly used drugs to help joint pain caused by hip dysplasia are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), however, it is important to note that NSAIDs (such as carprofen) can have significant side effects that must be monitored closely. Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can help prevent articular cartilage from breaking down, which can also relieve pain.
Other potential treatments include acupuncture and physical therapy, such as hyperthermia. Heat therapy can reduce anxiety in dogs and effectively relieve joint pain. Application of low-level heat can play a part in pain management in the dog with hip dysplasia. A heating therapy brace can easily be used at home or in practice, and is best applied to the soft tissues rather than directly over a painful joint for optimum results, as it has been demonstrated that heat therapy provides pain relief, reduces muscle spasm and increases soft tissue elasticity. Remember that treatment often needs to be adjusted over time, so be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations for follow-up visits.
The most commonly used drugs to help joint pain caused by hip dysplasia are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), however, it is important to note that NSAIDs (such as carprofen) can have significant side effects that must be monitored closely. Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can help prevent articular cartilage from breaking down, which can also relieve pain.
Other potential treatments include acupuncture and physical therapy, such as hyperthermia. Heat therapy can reduce anxiety in dogs and effectively relieve joint pain. Application of low-level heat can play a part in pain management in the dog with hip dysplasia. A heating therapy brace can easily be used at home or in practice, and is best applied to the soft tissues rather than directly over a painful joint for optimum results, as it has been demonstrated that heat therapy provides pain relief, reduces muscle spasm and increases soft tissue elasticity. Remember that treatment often needs to be adjusted over time, so be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations for follow-up visits.
Dog hip braces, such as Petietec heating therapy brace , provide support and stability to minimize pressure on dog joints and allow for post-surgical healing or pain-free exercise. Braces come in all sizes so you can find one that is perfect for your pet and allows for maximum support. For puppies and younger dogs, the more quickly they are treated the better the outcome. We recommend bracing combined with exercise as early as possible to slow down the progression of the disease.
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