Tips on treating arthritis in your dog
<p>When Over60 community member Jenni Burt made a plea for help on our Facebook page about her 10-year-old fox terrier – who has been diagnosed with degenerative arthritis – the rest of the Over60 community instantly jumped to help with tips and advice to ease the pain and discomfort for her dog.</p>
<p>Here we share some of their tips to make life comfortable for a dog with arthritis. Remember to check with your veterinarian before trying any of these.</p>
<p>“I give my Border Collie glucosamine tablets and it does seem to help. I told my neighbour about this who had a foxy who couldn't walk due to arthritis. After a few weeks was managing quite well on her own and she wasn't a young dog.” – Lily Emms</p>
<p>“Try virgin coconut oil. It is supposed to help a multitude of problems in humans and dogs, one of which is to do with arthritis. It’s 100 per cent pure coconut oil and also organic.” – Raelee E Ryan</p>
<p>“I can recommend Rose-Hip Vital Canine – it worked wonders for our then 13-year-old. It also helped her with her allergies. Just sprinkle on their food.” – Margaret Ross</p>
<p>“Try Carprieve tablets from the vet. I have a 13-year-old Staffy with the same condition and she is doing really well. She has a new lease of life.” – Sue Chate</p>
<p>“You can get glucosamine powder to mix in with food. Also, I give my blue heeler two 1000mg capsules of fish oil in her breakfast. For tea I always give her half a tin of mackerel in natural juices. Not only does it help with arthritis, but her coat is soft and shiny. Gotta love natural therapies!” – Sammi Strecker</p>
<p>“Try krill oil caps – they helped my dog.” – Marilyn Wybacz</p>
<p>“Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) power.” – Joan Margaret Barnier</p>
<p>“Try acupuncture, it really works, if you are in Sydney I can advise you of a couple of places. Our dog had spondylitis of the spine and could not walk at all, she use to drag herself around until she had treatment.” – Trisha Lord</p>
<p>“Try to give him turmeric in his meals every night with coconut oil.” – Jacqualine Rushworth</p>
<p>“Cartrophen Vet injections has helped both my 14-year-old girl and also my four-year-old Pomeranian who has lots of pain with abnormal vertebrae and hips.” – Maria Wilson</p>
<p>“Try a heat pad to ease aching joints. Swimming is also a very beneficial exercise whilst taking pressure of the joints.” – Sheryl Mills</p>
<p>“Celery is very good, start off with small amounts cut up and mixed in with dinner. Take the string off first. I take celery tablets every day and swear by them.” – Ally Macklin</p>
<p>“An animal chiropractor can help too. Seeing one keeps the rest of the muscles and limbs freely moving as well as any sort of glucosamine powders, fish oil and magnesium. Helped our Doberman greatly.” – Andrea March</p>
<p>“Flaxseed oil from the health shop, one teaspoon over their food each night. Takes a little while to start working but does make big difference. Good luck.” – Marlene Strudwick</p>
<p>“Get Sashas Blend, either online or good pet stores. Used it for years with my little guy with back problems and you would never have known he did.” – Janet Dare</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4892/midge_500x500.jpg" alt="Midge" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/><em>Meet Midge.</em></p>
<p>“If you have a swimming pool, your little bundle of joy would benefit by daily physiotherapy in the pool. Same as us humans, if you don’t use it you lose it, and swimming takes the weight and pain away from the movement.” – Nerrel Loader</p>
<p>“Our dog was four kilos overweight and has arthritis too but last year she got very sick (she is 15) and lost a lot of weight and we have since kept the weight off. She now has had no sign of her arthritis and she has not limped for over a year.” – Beverley Carol Ryan</p>
<p>“Have you thought of getting him a waterbed? These are fantastic for the poor loves who have this condition. There are no pressure points for him with a waterbed and he will certainly be more comfortable. And then of course there is always an electric blanket this is also very good for their aches and pains.” – Jillian Turner</p>
<p>“Try light massage before bed and some light stretching off all joints and limbs in morning. Some warm heat packs on really sore days and massage. I have found it helps, dogs love to be rubbed as long as not too painful.” – Ann-Maree Shaw</p>
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