CANINE ARTHRITIS

Written By Leslie Kennedy

Competitive dogs are at a higher risk of developing arthritis

Canine Wellness Tips

Have you noticed changes in your dogs behaviour or energy levels, he is not as playful, doesn’t navigate the stairs like he once did, seems dull?

Is your dog exhibiting any of these signs?

  • Stiff gaits.

  • Depression

  • Joint pain on palpation; snapping or growling when touching the joint

  • Exaggerated hind limb movement,

  • Abnormal gait i.e. hopping three or four legged Abnormal posture/stanceStiffness after resting

  • Decreased activity

  • Decreased Range of Motion

  • Warm, swollen or deformity of joints.    

  • Irritability

  • Intermittent lameness or limp

He could be experiencing osteoarthritis.  The first thing to do is have your dog examined by a veterinarian, many of the above signs could be symptoms other than arthritis.

The most common type of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis, a medical term that refers to chronic joint inflammation. It is a progressive and  permanent degeneration of the joint cartilage.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by many things such as injury, over-use, trauma, nutritional issues, hereditary causes, poor conformation and aging.

Dogs involved in competitive sports such as agility are at a higher risk of developing arthritis due to increased stress and risk of injury and trauma to their joints.

Recognizing the symptoms of arthritis is important in taking steps to help alleviate pain and keeping the joint as healthy as possible by slowing the progression.

Red Light Therapy for Arthritis

Acupressure points stimulated by red and infrared light applied at a specific wavelength can bring some pain relief from arthritis. 

Red Light Therapy releases nitric oxide, reduces pain, aides in removing blocked energy, increases circulation, decreases inflammation and plays a role in removing harmful toxins from the body.

In addition Red/Infrared Light Therapy pads are also very beneficial in reducing pain and anxiety.  It is so relaxing it is not uncommon for the dogs fall asleep during the session.

The body, whether human, dog, horse or any other being, heals best when in the parasympathetic nervous state.

 
Leslie Kennedy
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