Is Your Labrador in Pain? Treat Joint Pain Fast
Animals naturally hide their pain. Pets may be suffering even though they don’t show obvious signs, same with your labrador.
Pet Bounce Pain Management have decoded signs of animal suffering and ways to relieve it.
To protect themselves from predators, animals naturally hide their pain. Your pet may be suffering even though he isn’t showing obvious signs. Advancements in veterinary science have decoded subtle telltale signs of animal distress. Observing your pet’s behavior is vital to managing his or her pain.
How well do you know your Lab?
Use these five clues from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to help you understand your pet’s body language.
Clue 1—Abnormal chewing habits
If your pet is showing abnormal chewing habits, such as dropping its food or chewing on one side of the mouth, it may have a dental disorder or a mouth tumor. Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent and treat dental disorders and related pain.
Clue 2—Drastic weight gain or loss
Pain directly influences your pet’s weight and eating habits. Animals carrying excess weight have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging joints. Pets with arthritis or muscle soreness may not want to access their food because bending over is uncomfortable. Arthritis pain may also cause pets to gain weight while their eating habits remain the same due to lack of exercise. Pain can also cause animals to loose their appetites which will lead to weight loss.
Clue 3—Avoids affection or handling
Did Fluffy used to be active and energetic, but now sits quietly around the house? Avoiding affection or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Although your pet may appear to be normal before petting or handling it, the added pressure applied to its body may expose sensitive and painful areas. Hiding is also a sign of pain. Because the animal is hurting, she will hide to avoid a vulnerable position (this allows the pet to prevent painful interactions).
Clue 4—Decreased movement and exercise
Osteoarthritis or joint disease is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play. Weight and joint injuries can also go hand-in-hand. Losing unnecessary pounds will help overweight pets decrease pressure on sore joints and reduce pain. Consult your veterinarian about exercises, diets and medical therapies that can help improve your pet’s health.
Clue 5— “Accidents”
Pet owners often believe that “accidents” are a result of behavioral issues. Although behavioral issues may cause unwanted surprises, going to the bathroom in inappropriate places may be caused by pain. Pets with sore joints or arthritis may not make it to a convenient location due to painful obstacles like stairs.
Urinary tract infections also may cause a messy situation. In addition to having “accidents,” symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include, lethargy, fever, tender lower abdomen and difficulty urinating. Even after the urinary tract infection is dealt with it may be necessary to get a new litter box because the cat makes painful associations with the old litter box.
The lack of verbal expression does not mean that your pet is not experiencing pain. Minor behavioral change can be cause for alarm. Being aware of your pet’s habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and treat your pet’s pain. Pain management has become an integral part of your pet’s overall healthcare. Diagnosing and managing pain is among the 900 standards an animal hospital is evaluated on in order to become accredited through AAHA. For more information about the advancement of pain management, check out the AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
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Supporting Your Aging Companion – Natural Care for Hips & Joints
Aging is a natural part of life. Rather than being anxious about our companion’s declining abilities, we can be proactive in preventing or delaying the onset of age related disease. Weight management, dental health, joint care, attention to food and a comfortable and well padded bed are of utmost importance in determining how well your companion will age.
We all dread the time when the inevitable signs of aging begin to appear in our companion animals. In supporting your aging dog or cat, however, YOUR attitude and expectations are important. Becoming stressed and upset at each new issue that arises as your companion ages will not help them or you. Aging is a natural part of life, and if we expect it, accept it, and prepare for it, it will be easier on you and your best friend.
Geriatric animals will sleep more, be generally less aware of their surroundings, and are less tolerable of cold than when they were younger. It is common for aging pets to have increasing difficulty hearing and seeing. Older dogs are not able to go for long hikes or run with their guardians as they are accustomed to. It can be quite a dilemma when deciding that it may be time to leave a beloved hiking or running companion at home.
When is your companion considered “geriatric” with Labradors? and other large dogs?
- Large Dogs – 8-10 years
- Giant Breed Dogs – 7-8 years
Rather than becoming anxious about our companion’s declining abilities, we can become proactive in preventing or delaying the onset of age- related disease. We can also adjust our interactions with them rather than becoming frustrated by their lack of hearing, poor eyesight or other disabilities. Adjusting our expectations reduces stress for both guardian and companion.
Weight Management is of utmost importance in determining how well your companion will age. Overweight dogs and cats are much more susceptible to a variety of degenerative diseases at an earlier onset, such as joint stiffness and arthritis, diabetes, heart and respiratory problems. While your friend may not be able to play with as much vigor or endurance, or go on those long hikes or runs, exercise is still VERY important to their health.
Joint Stiffness and Arthritis are almost inevitable for our aging companions. You can assist in a variety of ways, such as elevating water & food bowls and providing a comfortable and well padded bed – but one that is not so soft that it is difficult for them to get out of. Create steps or ramps to furniture or other favorite resting places that your cat or dog can no longer reach on their own.
For Joint Care for your Labrador, back legs arthritis, and hip care check out these posts:
http://labradorhipdysplasiatreatment.com/arthrix-review
http://labradorhipdysplasiatreatment.com/doc-ackermans-herbal-hip-builder-formula-review
http://labradorhipdysplasiatreatment.com/duralactin-review
There are a wide variety of supplements to help treat problems in aging companions. It is often quite difficult to know which remedy will work for each companion. The process of trial and error is frequently the only way to determine the best combination for your animal. It is best to use a product for at least two weeks before deciding about its effectiveness (unless of course there are side effects, which means any supplement should be stopped and a veterinarian consulted).
Again, there is no way to know which will work best for your individual dog or cat. Start with one and if you do not see signs of improvement in two to three weeks, then try a different one.
Remember to adjust your expectations and keep stress levels low for your geriatric friend. Lots of attention is still needed even if he or she shows less interest than before. You will notice changes in his or her condition sooner if you are interacting closely on a daily basis. You may find visits to your veterinarian become more frequent as new issues arise during the twilight years. Working along with your veterinarian you can keep your companion as comfortable and healthy as possible as he or she ages.
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