Arthritis and hip dysplasia are some of the the most common conditions that adversely affect our old dogs. It’s a shame to think that their twilight years may be marred by pain and difficulty getting up and about.

Many dog owners would like to try and avoid using potentially toxic pain medication to help their stiff and sore old dogs. Instead, they prefer to look for natural alternatives to manage their discomfort.

Acupuncture has been found to be particularly effective in treating arthritis in older dogs, either on its own or in conjunction with other natural treatments such as Joint Resolution .

Pins and Needles

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine, and practitioners believe that the body’s vital energy, or Qi force, flows throughout the body in channels. If these channels become blocked, symptoms of disease occur. Stimulating specific points in the body unblocks the channels, allowing the energy to flow freely again.

There are many ways to stimulate these acupuncture points. The one most people are familiar with is the acupuncture needle, which is inserted into the skin. However, an acupuncturist may also use acupressure or laser energy.

How does acupuncture work? There are several theories. although nobody knows for sure. Some followers believe that the needles help release endorphins and other hormones, and others believe that they relieve muscle spasms. The needles may also cause little areas of inflammation in the area, which encourages the body’s healing response.

The real advantage of acupuncture is that in the hands of an experienced veterinarian, there are no adverse effects; it’s quite safe and won’t do your dog any harm.

An Acupuncture "Prescription"

To work out where he needs to place the acupuncture needles, your veterinarian will need to make a Chinese medical diagnosis, which is quite different to the usual western medicine diagnosis. He will will ask questions such as if your pet prefers hot or cold water, if they drink enough, the health of their skin and coat, and several other things.

From there, he will develop a list of points in the body that he will stimulate with needles. Acupuncture treatments are initially given once or twice weekly for around 6 treatments. The needles remain in the dog for 20 minutes, and this doesn’t seem to stress them at all. In fact, many dogs snooze through their acupuncture session. When your dog is feeling better, the treatments can then be spread out a bit further, which is much better for the budget.

It’s important that if you’re looking for acupuncture treatment for your arthritic dog, you find a vet who is skilled in this form of treatment. A veterinarian can become a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist by completing courses through several organisations, but most commonly this is done through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.

100% Successful?

Unfortunately not. No treatment is completely effective in every animal, not even the conventional pain medications. Some dogs just don’t respond well to acupuncture. If that’s the case, your vet may want to re-evaluate the acupuncture points he’s stimulating, and see that improves your dog’s comfort level.

Because arthritis pain often responds best to the use of multiple treatments, acupuncture can be combined with other medications and natural remedies, such as Joint Resolution . This all natural arthritis treatment contains several ingredients which not only help to restore damaged cartilage, but improve the joint fluid and make it more cushioning. The result is pain free movement, and a better quality of life.

Arthritis, hip dysplasia and luxating patellas can affects dogs at any age but particularly as they age. Fortunately we have safe, natural treatments that can ease their pain, and allow them to again enjoy their daily stroll.

Sore Joints Can Ruin Your Dog’s Day

There’s nothing worse than seeing your best friend in pain. If your dog has sore joints, it can affect all aspects of his life. Going for a walk, jumping up on your lap for a cuddle, even strolling over to his dinner bowl - nothing is much fun if he is hurting.

Conventional treatment for joint pain is based around a group of drugs known as non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, or NSAID’s. These drugs reduce swelling and inflammation in the joint, and relieve pain very quickly.

Because of the very real risk of side effects with NSAID’s, many dog owners look to more natural ways of easing their dog’s pain. Acupuncture, massage and nutritional supplements such as Joint Resolution can ease painful joints and improve your dog’s enjoyment of life.

More recently, some veterinarians have been using laser therapy to treat pain in dogs. Although there haven’t been any studies into laser therapy in veterinary medicine, many vets find that it does in fact make dogs much more comfortable.

Laser therapy can be used to treat sudden, acute joint injuries such as ligament sprains or strains. It also seems to work well in more long term joint problems such as arthritis in older dogs.

Shine A Little Light On Me

Because laser therapy relies on light rather than heat, this type of therapy is also called phototherapy.

The laser sends a beam of light energy deep into the tissues of the body. This energy has several effects - it reduces inflammation and stimulates the immune system, and it increases blood flow to the area being treated, all of which speed healing. It also appears that the light energy causes the body to produce endorphins - the body’s natural pain relieving chemicals.

Some vets believe that lasers can also affect nerve endings, and may stop them sending pain messages to the brain. This hasn’t been proven.

Many laser machines also have an attachment which can direct a fine beam of light energy. Vets may use this to stimulate acupuncture points, and use it as an alternative to acupuncture needles. It works well in dogs who don’t like having needles poked into their skin, or where their sore area is too deep for a needle to reach.

Nobody has yet worked out exactly how lasers work to relieve pain. There are also no specific guidelines to indicate how to use it - either the best intensity of light to use, or for how long to apply the laser to a sore area. Research in rats shows that the length of time the laser is applied to a part of the body seems to be more important than how intense the light is.

He May Feel Better, But Will It Send Him Blind?

When people think of lasers, they usually imagine the laser pointers used in business presentations or during lectures. These can be dangerous if they’re shone directly into your eyes. However, the lasers used in laser therapy emit very low intensity infrared light, and aren’t powerful enough to cause any heat in the body.

Laser therapy has been used as a treatment method since the 1960’s, and has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to be used for pain relief. In the hands of a trained professional, these lasers are very safe and are unlikely to cause your dog any harm.

Will It Work For My Dog?

Although many vets are skeptical about how effective laser therapy really is, there are enough case studies to suggest that it’s worth trying it out. It is safe and there are no side effects, so you won’t do your dog any harm by giving it a go.

Vets usually recommend an initial course of laser therapy, treating a dog every second day for a week, then reducing the treatment to once or twice weekly for another two weeks. Most dogs will need ongoing treatment but this may only be necessary once a month, or even less frequently.

Laser therapy is very new to veterinary medicine; vets must purchase specialized equipment to be able to treat their patients. You may find that there aren’t any vets in your area who can offer this treatment, or it may also not fit in the family budget. If that’s the case, check out Joint Resolution to relieve your dog’s joint pain with no unpleasant side effects. Studies have shown that treating your dog daily with Joint Resolution ’s type II collagen reduces joint pain, and will leave him feeling much more comfortable .

Getting Older Doesn’t Have To Hurt

I’ve been very fortunate, even blessed, with my dogs because most of them have lived very long lives. It’s wonderful to have a dog from the time he’s a puppy until he becomes an old dog. You feel like you’ve shared a long, wonderful life with him. But, as your dog becomes older he can often develop some common aches and pains. Older dogs often have a touch of arthritis. It may be a little harder for them to get up and down from a dog bed. They may need some help getting up on a sofa or your bed.

If your dog has a degenerative problem like hip dysplasia then it will usually worsen with age. Both hip dysplasia and luxating patellas, which can be common with some smaller breeds, can lead to arthritis as your dog ages.

I once had a dog that I found in a parking lot late at night. This poor old guy that I named Andy wasn’t a young dog when I found him. It wasn’t easy to coax him into my car at midnight in the rain but I finally got him in. My heart went out to him in particular because he seemed like he had been hit by a car at some point. I took him to the vet the next morning and the vet confirmed what I thought. At some time in the past Andy had been hit by a car and probably hobbled away without treatment. His hips were semi-crippled. He could walk with a definite limp but he had a lot of arthritis . The good news was that Andy was otherwise in pretty good health. I ran an ad trying to find Andy’s owners but no one answered. Andy became part of my family and lived out the next few years with us. Over that time we tried several different treatments for his arthritis. Here are some things that helped Andy:

Say No To Second Helpings

Dogs with arthritis and other joint problems typically do much better if you keep their weight down. Obesity and being overweight put unnecessary stress on joints that are already compromised and cause your dog pain. Carefully monitor how much food you give your dog to eat and watch his weight. Remember to count the calories in treats and table scraps, too.

No Marathons!

Watch your dog’s exercise. Arthritis is usually self-limiting but canine hip dysplasia and even luxating patellas are not always evident, particularly at a young age. If your dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, don’t let your dog overdo the exercise. Regular, moderate exercise is better than one all-out race in a blue moon. Your dog is less likely to injure himself if you pace his exercise. However, don’t cut out exercise altogether. Exercise is good for keeping muscle tone and that helps your dog in the long run.

Remember that one key to long term health and fitness is to start young. DO let your puppy play and have fun. DON’T make your puppy jog two miles with you or run races. Putting too much stress on a puppy is one way to develop joint problems later.

Live In The Lap of Luxury

As your dog gets older it’s okay to pamper him a little. Think about providing your dog with a comfy dog bed. Some pets with joint problems may appreciate an orthopedic dog bed or even a heated dog bed. If your pet sleeps on the sofa you may want to get him a heating pad. Applying heat to his aching joints can help them feel better.

Everybody In The Pool!

Hydrotherapy and swimming have proven beneficial for many dogs with aches and pains related to joint problems. Swimming is one of the best treatments for arthritis, hip dysplasia and even for post surgical rehabilitation of dogs. If your dog likes to swim he should find swimming easier than doing exercises like walking or running and you can swim with him. If your dog doesn’t know how to swim it’s not hard to teach most dogs. Just be sure that you carefully teach your dog where the steps are in any pool and show him how to get out of the pool. You can ask your vet for more information about hydrotherapy.

Medicate Me

If your dog is experiencing spikes in pain or ongoing pain then you should talk to your veterinarian about anti-inflammatory medications. There are a number of Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medications that are being used to treat chronic arthritis and other pain in dogs. There are some side effects with some of these medications so be sure to thoroughly discuss them with your vet before using them for your dog.

You should not try to medicate your dog yourself without talking to your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter drugs are not safe for dogs. Drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be very bad for dogs.

These are all things that we tried with Andy. Many of them worked. Since we had him for several years before he finally passed away we were able to try different things depending on how he felt. We also tried glucosamine-chondroitin tablets which helped his joints.

Herbal Is The Way To Go

There’s one treatment today that we didn’t have when Andy lived with us and that’s Joint Resolution . I wish we’d had it because I think it might have helped him a lot. Joint Resolution is an herbal blend that works synergistically with BioCell Collagen II. It includes Boswellia, devil’s claw and licorice to reduce inflammation and pain. It also has dandelion to eliminate toxins from the body. Just a few drops of Joint Resolution on a treat or in your dog’s mouth can bring relief and make him feel more comfortable.

The BioCell Collagen II in Joint Resolution also contains Hyaluronic Acid and chondroitin which have both been shown to promote healing and tissue rejuvenation. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Expert opinions support the use of chondroitin for improving the symptoms and arresting (or possibly reversing) the degenerative process of osteoarthritis.” So, Joint Resolution has exactly what your dog needs.

Joint Resolution promotes active joints and helps improve your dog’s mobility and flexibility. It promotes strong, healthy connective tissue. And, it’s easy to administer. Since it’s liquid the body absorbs it faster than tablets or pills. Click here to read testimonials about Joint Resolution .

If your dog has arthritis or is suffering pain from canine hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, Joint Resolution can help.

I know that none of us want to see our dogs with any aches or pain but sometimes they go along with getting older. We do want our dogs to get older so we just have to find ways to help our dogs cope with the little aches and pains that go along with age. Many dogs live for years after they begin experiencing some arthritis or having a few problems from hip dysplasia or luxating patellas. There’s no reason why your dog can’t lead a fairly normal life, especially if you follow some of the tips offered here.

Cure Your Dog’s Aches and Pains

Many medical conditions can cause your dog to have joint aches and pains. Hip dysplasia, canine arthritis and a luxating patella are three of the most common causes for joint pain, but there are also a variety of other factors that could affect your dog. What are these things, exactly?

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia can be hereditary or environmental. Typically, hip dysplasia involves the bones in the hip forming incorrectly or being strained and not seating properly in their sockets. Over time, the joint may degenerate, causing more and more stiffness and discomfort. Hip dysplasia is more of a problem in large and giant breed dogs.

Luxating Patella: With a luxating patella, a dog like my Beagle has a kneecap that pops in and out of place. This is generally because the groove that holds the kneecap into place is too shallow, and it can easily slide around due to trauma or even in the course of regular exercise. A luxating patella is more of an issue in small and toy breeds.

Canine Arthritis: Just like people, dogs get arthritis, too. In some cases, canine arthritis is a result of a degenerative joint disease, like hip dysplasia or a luxating patella. In other cases, arthritis is caused by inflammatory joint disease and is the result of an underlying medical condition. Arthritis can be as mild as a little stiffness, or it can cause severe pain in your dog, reducing his activity levels and even making him whine or cry.

You can treat your dog’s aches and pains!

Don’t make your dog suffer; treat his aches and pains to improve his quality of life. How can you make your achy dog more comfortable ?

1. Use natural remedies to manage your dog’s aches and pains.

Natural remedies, such as Joint Resolution , are the best way to help manage your dog’s aches and pains. Compare the price of a $13 bottle of Joint Resolution to the hundreds or thousands of dollars you’d spend on surgery – which can still leave your dog arthritic in old age!

If your dog’s symptoms don’t stem from an underlying cause that requires medical intervention, natural remedies like Joint Resolution are the best way to manage the aches and pains. Mary Lee Somers of Ohio says of her dogs after discovering Joint Resolution: “Now they run like they never had a problem!” Give your dog the freedom to run and play again, and rediscover the joy of being pain-free! To listen to an audio on how Joint Resolution can help your dog to be pain free, c-l-i-c-k here .

Adjust your dog’s diet.

Believe it or not, diet can actually affect your dog’s arthritis. Feed your dog a high-quality food, and it’s more likely to contain ingredients that promote good joint health. You can also employ neutraceutical supplements, such as fish oil, to help reduce your dog’s arthritis.

Reduce environmental triggers.

Things like excessive exercise or cold can worsen your dog’s symptoms. If your dog does have arthritis or joint problems, take it easy with the exercise. Switch to many short play sessions instead of a couple of long play sessions throughout the day. Minimize your dog’s exposure to cold by giving him a warm, soft bed to lie on or heating a room where he likes to spend time, and minimize the time he spends lying on cold floors or outdoors in the winter.

Talk to your vet about anti-inflammatory medications.

It’s shouldn’t be your first line of defense, but if your dog is dealing with chronic arthritis, anti-inflammatory medications such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs) can help reduce his symptoms. Talk to your vet about starting your dog on NSAIDs to reduce the pain and help live a happy, fuller life.

Stem cell therapy is expensive, but effective.

Stem cell therapy is an option to help reduce your dog’s aches and pains. With stem cell therapy, veterinarians take some stem cells from your dog, send them to a lab in California, and get healthy stem cells back which they then return to your dog. The healthy stem cells encourage the growth of more healthy stem cells in your dog, treating the arthritis. For more information about stem cell therapy, click here to learn more .

Your dog can lead a happy life, even with aches and pains.

Your dog doesn’t have to suffer from his aches and pains – he can lead a happy life if you’re willing to help. Consider natural remedies, improve his diet, and minimize the triggers that cause his aches and pains, and your dog can lead a long, happy, pain-free life.

Does your Dog Have Arthritis? Stem Cell Therapy may be the Solution!

by Lorna Paxton

Although the new president is expected to lift federal restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research, it’s an option available today for the canine set.

The procedure, which uses an animal’s own fat to obtain adult stem cells, has been available for a few years. The stem cells are injected to damaged area to stimulate growth of healthy cells, encouraging regeneration.

Bob Harman, DVM and founder and CEO of Vet-Stem says while therapy for human use is still in early stages, thousand of horses and dogs have already been treated for tendon, ligament and joint injuries and diseases through Vet-Stem and so far the results have been amazing with many patients saying that the results were immediate.

During a 20 minute procedure about two tablespoons of fat, from the abdomen or should blade area are taken from a anesthetized dog and sent to Vet-Stem in San Diego.

Then, technicians use an enzyme to remove the connective tissue and free up the fat and stem cells. Within 48 hours the lab isolates stem and regenerative cells from the fat and sends them back to the local surgeons in syringes. In otherwords, the adult stem cells are taken from the animal to which they will be returned.

The downside? The $2500 price tag! But consider the negative impact that drugs, like Rimadyl have long term. If your dog has arthritis, hip dysplasia, a luxating patella or other form of joint pain, but you can’t afford the $2500 price tag, consider using an all-natural herbal remedy which can be very effective.

“We have a 4 year old English bulldog named Gus who loves to chase and tug and jump.” said Anna Buck of Houston, TX. “He was diagnosed with hip dysplasia a year ago. At that time, he had started limping and really slowing down. Our vet had told us the best thing for Gus was to keep him active so his leg muscles would remain strong,” “We discovered Joint Resolution about 6 months ago and after only one month, we noticed that Gus completely stopped limping. He started playing more and jumping higher than he ever had. This product has been amazing! Even though it is not a cure for his condition, it has given us a way to manage his condition and give Gus a less painful, better quality of life.”

When looking for herbal remedies seek out products that have ingredients like collagen, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and herbs like devils claw root, licorice, dandelion and boswellia.

The good news for us bipeds is that hopefully, one day soon, we may be as pain free as our quadruped companions!

To locate a vet near you visit the Vet Stem company website www.vet-stem.com.