MSM for Dogs is a Natural Arthritis Remedy

By Jennefer Poultson

Arthritis in dogs can be due to several different factors, particularly common are injuries, congenital defects and simply getting older, just as in humans. In dogs, even a minor injury can lead to arthritis later in life. The conditions to which some breeds of dogs are predisposed, such as hip dysplasia can also mean a predisposition to developing arthritis as the dog ages. Even dogs who have never suffered an injury in their lives may well develop arthritis as they age.

There are different types of dog arthritis, just as with the human arthritis condition. The problem is an inflammation in one or more joints. This can be caused by an inflammation either in the cartilage in the joint or a problem with the joint’s synovial fluid. In dogs, the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, immune mediated arthritis and idiopathic arthritis.

Dog arthritis symptoms usually involve a gradual onset of limpness in the limbs. In other words, lameness will result to the point where the dog finds it difficult to walk. Most often a dog will also be less likely to be active in activities such as walks, playing, or even going up stairs. The stiffness of the limbs is likely to be more pronounced in the mornings or after long naps, but the stiffness often disappears through the day.

A dog afflicted with arthritis will tend to feel pain if their limbs are touched near to where the joint is inflamed. There is usually swelling as well, and you may be able to feel this.

Arthritis medicine is available for dogs who suffer from the condition ? this can treat the inflammation. Many dog owners instead opt for more natural methods of treatment for their pet, finding them more helpful in many cases. Glucosamine and MSM are two popular natural dog arthritis treatments (they are also used in humans with arthritis). A lot of experts in the field think that arthritis is best treated by a combination of MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. However, the ageing process is thought to diminish the body’s ability to produce sufficient glucosamine for the body’s needs. Glucosamine is not found in any primary food source, but is derived from the shell of shellfish. It has anti inflammatory properties that can be very effective in managing osteoarthritis in both humans and animals.

Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.

However, arthritis remedies of various sorts may be needed along with a change of diet in order to manage the pain and other symptoms of dog arthritis. – 31319

About the Author:

Veterinary medicine has limited answers for treating dog arthritis, but the good news is that there are natural alternatives that can even reverse canine renal failure.

Arthritis Remedy for Dogs and Cats.

If you have a dog or cat who is suffering from Arthritis, then try
this perfectly natural remedy.

This Arthritis remedy I’ve used very successfully on my older
dogs for many years.

Mix up in equal quantities, dry Borrie/ Tumeric powder, (the stuff
that makes rice yellow) and plain dry digestible gelatin.

The Borrie is a natural anti-inflammatory and the gelatin
lubricates the joints.

For dogs under 15kgs, a quarter teaspoon sprinkled dry over
their meal once a day. Half a teaspoon for 15-25kgs and level
teaspoon or more for larger dogs.

It takes about a month for it to start working and works for about
8 months. In summer when the dogs joints are at their best, take
them off it for 6 weeks and then resume again.

The body gets used to the treatment and you need to break the cycle
once in a while for it to become effective again.

My previous 2 guide-dogs lived long lives by using this cheap, easy
and effective treatment. 14.5 years and 15.5 respectively. German
Shepherd and labrador.

For my dog stories, keep a watch on my blogspot.

Barry Blomkamp Nd. Bsc (UL)
Professional Public Speaker, Trainer and Corporate Entertainer,
Motivational speaker, Guest & Key note speaker, Seminar &
Conference speaker, Team Builder, Comedian, Master of Ceremonies,

For your Strategic Planning sessions, Management or Sales meetings,
Conferences and/or Seminars, Award functions, Year end parties,
Christmas parties,

Cape Town, South Africa.

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Arthritis in Dogs- Easy Dog Rubbing Remedy and Flea repellent.

I have two dogs both 11 years old, I started to notice stiffness and to see them becoming unsteady as they try to get up, their movements may look awkward and they may yelp or whimper. All of these are signs of the onset of arthritis, and the condition should be checked out by a veterinarian in order to get a proper diagnosis.

Bozzo 

Arthritis in Dogs is like in Humans- Controlling pain and maintaining function of affected joints:

Weight control - Arthritis problems can be greatly alleviated in pets carrying too much weight, simply losing some weight can reduce the stress placed on joints.

Exercise - It is important to keep joints moving, so regular moderate exercise is encouraged. Swimming can be an option so the joints can be manipulated with minimal pressure.

Diet supplements - such as glucosamine, cetyl myristoleate, chondroitin, andomega-3 fatty acids, provide precursors needed to repair damaged arthritic cartilage. (available in some veterinary prescribed diets)

Comfortable Bed - Keep your dog warm and comfortable, especially at night. Let them have a nap during the day (like old people)

Massage - can be a great way to relieve some of the discomfort of arthritis. Using your fingertips, rub firm circles into the muscle. Then progress to using the palm of your hand. Doing this daily will increase blood flow and make your pet less painful.

The Recipe Brandy and Salt Remedy can offer some relief from arthritis pain, muscle aches and skin irritation, and also to my surprise, works as flea repellent :O

Mr. Lee’s recipe for making the “remedy “—FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY – - – instead of Brandy try Methylated Spirit and Salt mixed ;

· “Fill a bottle three quarters full with Methylated Spirit after which add as much salt as will fill the bottle for corking ;

· “shake it together for 10 minutes ; let the salt settle to the bottom, and be particularly careful to use it when clear—the clearer the better.”

And he further adds, ” BE SURE NOT TO SHAKE THE SALT UP WHEN YOU USE THE REMEDY “

Massage of the area can help break up muscle knots and improve circulation to the area, which helps get rid of lactic acid and helps the healing, but be gentle and do only what the dog will tolerate.

In geriatric dogs, massage can help maintain mobility, stimulate circulation, and reduce the pain of illnesses , allowing the dog to move more freely.

Massage is not beneficial for all situations. Dogs suffering from shock or open wounds, for example, will not find relief with massage.

Essential Oils

Essential oils of lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, palmarosa, rosemary, and ginger are used traditionally as herbal pain remedies.

Put 20 to 30 drops of any one of these essential oils or of a mixed blend in 100 ml of the remedy.

Shake well and then use the mixture as a massage oil for your dog. Rub it into the painful, swollen joints to alleviate arthritis pain and inflammation.

Timtam

I checked the internet if using alcohol on dogs was not dangerous for their health, and I found many recipes using Alcohol as flea killer, in our recipe the Alcohol is saturated with the salt, making it even more unfriendly for fleas. Luckily also the same essential oils are used as flea repellent, so the remedy is beneficial for the dogs in more than one way and saves money, because those commercial repellents, while effective, are SO expensive!

I have tried Washing them with several brands of flea shampoo, putting on flea collars treating them with over the counter frontline and several other brands of drops you rub in between the shoulders and the fleas are still there. I was getting worried the chemicals being so strong they can not be good for their health.

I tried some of this mixture yesterday on my sore back (after gardening) and on the dogs and we all loved it. They loved the massage and did not mind of the smell or even to get a little wet and it did alleviate some pain, some of mine anyway…

It certainly did kill all the fleas and probably helped clean the flea bites too, no ill effects other than the fumes which did not last long do it in a ventilated area with definitely no smoking or open flame.

Happy Old Natural Remedies Making!
Marlene Daniels

Dog Arthritis Treatment | Home Remedy

Image credit © to Nick Ridley/OSF

If your dog experience inflammation in the joints, your pet may has a health condition what we call as arthritis. This disease doesn’t discriminate, and therefore it also occurs in pet. What are the current dog arthritis treatments and home remedies? What are the causes and symptoms of this disease? And what else you need to know?!

Well, arthritis is one of the most common chronic pains in pet that veterinarians treat. And did you know that about 1 in 5 dogs in the US may have this degenerative joint inflammation disease (according to the Arthritis Foundation)?! You may also like to read home remedies and treatment for arthritis in human, and Lyme disease in dog!

The inflammation of joints in dog can be severe (debilitating), mild, or even sometimes can be unnoticeable to pet owner. Furthermore, arthritis is more common in dogs than in cats. Since overweight is linked to higher risk of arthritis, the smaller dog breeds are less vulnerable than the larger breeds because the less strain placed on joint & ligaments.

Dog arthritis symptoms

If you have a dog, and you think there is something wrong with your pet – the big question is how do you get to know that your dog has arthritis?! On the other hand, your pet cannot explain about what’s wrong with his body! Therefore, it is important to closely monitor and watch any non-verbal clues.

Some common symptoms of arthritis in dogs may include:

1. They are more likely to need more time to sleep.


2. Lack of balance (difficulty standing) and difficult sitting. They may also be less confident to climb, jump, or run. These can lead to lack of interest in play and lack of physical activity.


3. Favoring a limb!


4. They may also experience weight gain.


5. Dogs with arthritis usually have sore /stiff joints.


6. Changes in behavior /attitude.


7. Noticeable pain, especially pain in the joints.


8. They also tend to be less alert.

If you notice some of these signs that last more than 2 weeks, don’t choose ‘watchful waiting’ to take your dog to see a veterinarian! For this case, the best thing you can do is to find a clearly diagnosis, and if your pet is diagnosed with arthritis, the treatment plan should be started as soon as possible!

What causes arthritis in dog?

There are some types of arthritis that can occur in dog, and osteoarthritis is one of the most common types. In dog, osteoarthritis or OA can occur due to a lot of causes, which may include joint trauma, ruptured cruciate ligaments, patella luxation, hip dysplasia, and other conditions associated with joint. 

There is also a chance for arthritis to occur in young dogs. But in general, this degenerative condition is relatively more common in older dogs than in young dogs. 

Diagnosis of arthritis in dog

Like in human, arthritis in pet can be progressive disease, and over time can make the pet’s life miserable! It’s important to find the exact cause of the joint inflammation in your pet, so thus your pet can get the right treatment that is actually needed to improve the symptoms.

Arthritis is not single answer for the cause of joint inflammation in pet. Other health conditions that also can cause joint inflammation in dog may include; 

1. Cauda equina syndrome, intervertebral disc disease, or other degenerative diseases in the spinal joint.


2. Lyme disease (another disease of inflammatory joint).


3. Cancer.


4. Hemophilia (a kind of metabolic disorder).


5. Luxated patella (a kind of congenital disorder).


6. Osteochondritis dissecans, elbow dysplasia, or other developmental disorders.


7. Hyperparathyroidism (a kind of hormonal disease).


8. Etc.

X-rays test is one of common choices to make a diagnosis of arthritis in dog. This test is needed to learn and analyze the joints that are suspected of being affected. It can help a veterinarian to analyze the bone spurs at several points where the joint capsule & ligaments attack to the bone. 

Moreover, sometimes more specific laboratory tests may be required to make a clearly diagnosis!

Dog arthritis treatment and home remedy

The treatment is not intended to completely cure the disease because most cases of arthritis are incurable. But it is more intended to significantly improve the pet’s life.

To get the better result to improve the symptoms, the treatment for this degenerative joint disease in dog is usually the combination of different approaches which may consist of; 

1. The use of corticosteroids & analgesics to improve function and to ease pain.


2. Dietary chances to maintain the ideal weight of pet or for weight loss if your pet is overweight.


3. Physical therapy and exercise.


4. And certain prescribed medicines (like chondroprotective agents) to eliminate the further damage and to repair the affected joint cartilage (cartilage is one of the most essential components in a joint).

In severe cases, surgery may be needed! The elbow or hock is one of the most common areas where the procedure of surgery is needed to restore the limb movement and relieve pain some dogs with arthritis.

Pain medications for arthritis dogs

Another choice of the most common prescribed pharmaceutical treatment for arthritis dog is NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs are usually prescribed to control pain & inflammation in dogs. 

However, unfortunately there are also some side effects that may occur when using these drugs for your pet. These side effects are usually mild, but sometimes (particularly if used improperly) NSAIDs can result serious side effects (that’s why don’t forget to completely follow all instructions from your veterinarian)!

According to a published article on About.Com — some serious side effects from NSAIDs may include: problems associated with the liver of your pet, perforations, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, and ulcers. And for the most common side effects (mild side effects) that may occur include; diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, depression, and vomiting.

**For more in-depth information about medications for dogs with arthritis, discuss more with a veterinarian!

Exercise (physical therapy)

Physical therapy and exercise is important to maintain joint flexibility and mass of the muscle. However, it’s also important to do this exercise properly. In many cases, moderate exercise is much more recommended than heavy or excessive exercise. 

Swimming is one of great options for physical therapy. It can improve the strength and mass of the muscle without having worry about overstress in the joint during exercise.

Excessively physical therapy can be counterproductive. Arthritis pets should not be allowed to stand up on the back legs and should not be encouraged to jump up & down! For better result, pets with lameness and pain should also be exercised or trained on a harness /a leash. 

Furthermore, if your dog is overweight, your veterinary physical therapy should also consider designing exercise for weight loss. Because overweight can significantly complicate the treatment!

What else you need to concern?

1. Don’t use medication for arthritis in human for dogs with arthritis, because there are some medications for human (particularly such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen) that can be harmful /toxic to your pet! 


2. Ask to your veterinarian about what are foods that you should give to your pet to help the treatment?! In general, foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine are usually good choice to relieve the symptoms.


3. With the other treatments (particularly such as the structural physical therapy), acupuncture is another alternative therapy that may be effective to help relieve the arthritis symptoms in your dog. 

You may also be interested to know about congestive heart failure in dogs!

________

Reference: WebMD and About.Com

Naural Arthritis Remedy - MSM for Dogs

By Jennefer Poultson

Dog arthritis can be caused by injury, congenital defects, or ageing. Surprisingly, injury is a major cause of arthritis in dogs, and therefore affects many younger dogs. Quite minor injuries can result in the condition. A predisposition to conditions such as hip dysplasia can cause early onset of an arthritic condition in dogs. Older dogs who have never suffered an injury are likely to develop arthritis as they age.

There are different types of dog arthritis, just as with the human arthritis condition. The problem is an inflammation in one or more joints. This can be caused by an inflammation either in the cartilage in the joint or a problem with the joint’s synovial fluid. In dogs, the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, immune mediated arthritis and idiopathic arthritis.

Dog arthritis begins as a gradual limpness in the affected limb or limbs and may progress to lameness. An advanced case will reveal itself as a dog that is less active in play, on walks and generally has difficulty walking. The stiffness and pain are more likely to be pronounced in the morning or after a nap ? when the dog has been sleeping in the same position for some time. During the day when the dog is most active, the pain is generally minimal.

An arthritic dog will usually experience pain when their legs are touched near the inflamed joint. The will usually be swelling in this area, but it may not be visible to an unaided eye.

There is arthritis medicine for dogs that will help treat the inflammation. However, many dog owners find that natural treatments for arthritis in dogs are more helpful. Glucosamine for dogs and MSM for dogs are two popular natural ingredients for dog arthritis treatments (and arthritis treatments for humans, as well). In fact, many experts are of the view that there are three essential ingredients for an effective natural arthritis treatment – glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.

Glucosamine is naturally occurring in the body (it is an amino sugar). The process of aging tends to reduce the body’s capacity to produce this important sugar. Not found in any important food source, Glucosamine can be derived from the shells of shellfish. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in treating osteoarthritis both in humans and in animals.

Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.

However, arthritis remedies of various sorts may be needed along with a change of diet in order to manage the pain and other symptoms of dog arthritis. – 31975

About the Author:

Conventional veterinary medicine has limited solutions for treating dog arthritis, but the good news is that there are natural alternatives that can even reverse canine renal failure.