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Canine massage for arthritic dogs

The benefits of massages include easing sore muscles, stress reduction, decreased blood pressure, increased flexibility and circulation, and a boost in overall well-being.

My dog has been diagnosed with arthritis. How do I take care of her other than the medication?

A.1. Canine massage: You're not the only one who can benefit from a nice relaxing massage. The benefits of massages include easing sore muscles, stress reduction, decreased blood pressure, increased flexibility and circulation, and a boost in overall well-being. You can learn animal massaging techniques from the Net and give one to your dog. Massage therapy can be advantageous in noticing lumps, bumps, or sore places on your pet.
2. Heating pads: Just like in humans, heat can be soothing for aches and pains in dogs. Certain brands make doggy heating pads that use specific wavelengths of light for therapeutic and healing benefits including pain relief, releasing trigger points, muscle relaxation, and reducing inflammation. Other dog bed brands have created warming pads that go inside the bed or crate, creating a warming comfortable environment for your dog.
3. Weight control: Maintaining a healthy weight in dogs with arthritis is not only a good idea for their heart, but it can lighten the load they carry on their joints. The heavier your dog is, the more joint stress he endures, leading to more pain.
4. Gentle exercise: Exercise will help your dog stay mobile and maintain a healthy weight. Controlled, gentle exercise can benefit your dog by keeping him moving and lessening stiffness in his joints. Keep exercise gentle, low impact, and for a short period of time to ensure you aren't aggravating your dog's joints. They even have doggy treadmills that will allow you to control the amount of walking, running, and incline of your dog experiences.
5. Natural supplements: Natural joint supplements are not only safe for your dog, they are effective in reducing joint inflammation, pain levels, discomfort, and stiffness. Your dog's joint supplement should include ingredients like CM8, hydrolysed collagen II, bromelain, and MSM. Each one of these ingredients contributes to slowing joint degeneration and repairing cartilage. Joint supplements can fit as a complement to your dog's daily diet and as a major component of his arthritis treatment.
Should tail docking be done?
A: No, It is cruel and illegal. Dogs use their tails to communicate with other dogs (and with people); a dog without a tail might be significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution, aggression, playfulness, and so on. Certain breeds use their tails as rudders when swimming, and possibly for balance when running, so active dogs with docked tails might be at a disadvantage compared to their tailed peers. Females use tails to cover their vaginas when they open for two weeks during their heat period. When there is no tail, then dust and garbage enters the open vagina and kills the dog through pyometra. The tail is also used to brush away flies. When the tail is removed, flies lay their eggs on the anus and maggots eat the dog. Tail docking also leads to vomiting, gastritis, gastric ulcers, heat stroke, liver diseases, and other problems.
Would it be necessary for my dog to have a litter before I get her spayed?
A: No. Absolutely not. All the medical evidence suggests a dog should be spayed before her first heat. It's much easier for her then because it's a much easier surgery at that time.
And the problem with letting your dog have a litter is you've just instantly contributed to the pet overpopulation problem. Now you have to find homes for all those puppies. And for each home you find, there's one less home for a dog that was already born. Plus, you can't be responsible for what the new owners do. So unless you spay or neuter all the puppies before placing them, the new owners may let their dog breed as well which will add even more dogs to the pet overpopulation problem.
Why does my dog eat bricks or mud?
A: This is due to iron deficiency. Give your dog iron supplements and lots of green leafy vegetables to eat. This should also be treated as an indication of worms. The faeces should be examined.
(Views expressed and information provided are personal; Send your questions to manekaanimallove@gmail.com)

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