Chihuahuas are some of the most popular breeds in the world today. They are cute, cuddly, and loyal companions to their owners. But unfortunately, they have a few health problems that can be difficult to manage without proper care. One such problem is Chihuahua arthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage on your dog’s joints wears away due to injury or overuse, which causes pain and discomfort for them. Treatment for chihuahua arthritis: what works?
That is the question many pet owners ask themselves when deciding how to help their animals with joint pain. There are several ways to treat this ailment, and we will discuss some of them in this blog post. We will also go over at-home treatments that can be used as well as veterinary treatment options. To start, let’s talk about supplements!
Treatment For Chihuahua Arthritis: Supplements
There are a few different supplements that can help treat chihuahua arthritis. The first is glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM and coenzyme (CoQ).
This combination helps to rebuild cartilage. Furthermore, it will help to decrease the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Another great supplement for dogs with arthritis is omega-three fatty fish oil.
These oils help reduce the pain and inflammation in your dog’s joints and promote a healthy coat, eyesight, brain function, heart health, and more!
Proper Treatment For Chihuahua Arthritis: At Home
I know the feeling when you see your pet in pain and misery. You want to just do some magic trick and relieve the pain in Chihuahua’s joints and yet you don’t have a single clue.
Trust me; it can only get worse if you don’t consult your vet immediately. They will give you the necessary suggestions and tricks to help your pup.
Also, you can do several things at home to treat chihuahua arthritis.
Steps And Ramps
One of these is using steps or ramps for them to get up on furniture such as couches or beds with ease instead of jumping off from high distances. Another thing you can try doing if your pet has trouble walking is body manipulation therapy. They gently stretch their legs out by massaging their paws back and forth.
Prevent Slipping On Floors
You should also ensure that your floors are properly maintained and free from water, ice, or salt, as this can be dangerous for their joints.
Exercise
Another way to help with joint pain is exercise! Please ensure they get the proper amount of daily activity so those muscles surrounding their bones stay strong. You can do simple activities such as playing games like fetch. This will provide them an enjoyable time and strengthen and support all body parts, including their hips and legs.
Provide A Memory Foam Or Orthopedic Canine Bed
Another way you can help your pet is by providing them with memory foam or orthopedic canine beds. This will help decrease the stress on their joints and give them some relief from their pain.
Don’t Let Your Chihuahua Sleep In A Draft
You should also ensure that your Chihuahua isn’t sleeping in drafts, as this can aggravate their arthritis even more.
Body Manipulation
If your dog has trouble getting around, you can also try body manipulation therapy, as mentioned earlier.
Use Supplements Daily
Be sure to give them their supplements daily. This will help to keep the pain under control and improve their overall quality of life.
Glucosamine And Chondroitin Supplements
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you can also consider supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.
These work by repairing damaged cartilage and helping to rebuild joint tissue! They come in pill and liquid form, making them easy to give your dog, and they can be found at most pet stores.
Omega-3 Fatty Fish Oil (DHA And EPA)
Omega-fatty acids are another good supplement to consider giving your pet as they help reduce inflammation within the body. You can either purchase omega-fatty acid capsules or add fish oil to their food, providing them with the DHA and EPA they need.
Bone Broth
Another great way to help improve your dog’s arthritis symptoms is bone broth. This protein-rich broth can help improve your dog’s joint health by strengthening its ligaments and tendons.
You’ll find this in most pet stores as it’s become quite popular among humans too! You must be careful with how much you give them since some evidence suggests that bone broth may cause kidney stones over time if given excessively.
Veterinary Treatment Options
Now let’s move on to veterinary treatment options! These include adequate injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and analgesics.
Adequan Injections
One common type of veterinary treatment for arthritis is called Adequan injections.
These are a series of intravenous infusions over several weeks. It provides relief from inflammation in your dog’s joints. Thus, it can help with their pain levels and improve their movement to go about daily activities.
NSAIDs
Another possible treatment option is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These work by decreasing certain enzymes that cause inflammation, swelling, and pain within the body. So they won’t feel any discomfort or have trouble moving around.
While these medications may seem like a good idea at first glance because they instantly reduce pain, they mask the problem instead of treating it!
This means that you still need to pay attention to what is causing the pain in your dog’s joints and get that taken care of.
Steroids
Another treatment option is steroids which are also known as corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. These drugs decrease inflammation caused by rejection, allergies, joint disorders, skin diseases, cancerous tumors, and bowel disease, among others!
However, while this may seem like a good idea to treat their arthritis symptoms, it will suppress your pet’s immune system. So they won’t be able to fight off infections properly anymore. Thus, it makes them more susceptible to illness, worsening their arthritis.
Analgesics
The last common veterinary treatment for chihuahua arthritis is analgesics such as Tramadol.
These opioid-based medications can be used to reduce pain in your dog. This is why they may seem like a good idea since they will relieve their symptoms immediately. However, these drugs come with numerous side effects too. So you need to think carefully about whether or not they’re the best treatment option for them!
Alternative Treatments
If you’re looking for alternative treatments, there are plenty of things like Class IV Therapeutic Laser Therapy and acupuncture, among others!
Prolotherapy
One example of this is called Prolotherapy, wherein injections stimulate ligaments around joints, causing an increase in collagen production within damaged tissue over time which also helps restore strength to those areas by forming new fibers and strengthening bones.
While some of these treatments may seem expensive, they can be more affordable in the long run than continuing to give your dog medication with many side effects.
Class IV Therapeutic Laser
One popular alternative treatment for arthritis is Class IV Therapeutic Laser Therapy.
This therapy uses infrared light to penetrate deeply into your dog’s tissue and stimulate healing! It’s a non-invasive, painless procedure that can be done in just a few minutes and doesn’t require any anesthesia or sedation.
Acupuncture
Another example of an alternative treatment for arthritis is acupuncture. This involves using tiny needles inserted into specific points on your dog’s body to restore balance and health within them.
While it may seem strange, acupuncture has been present for centuries to treat all sorts of medical conditions in animals and humans alike!
Glucosamine And Chondroitin Injections
If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, glucosamine and chondroitin injections may be a good option.
These supplements work by helping to rebuild the cartilage and connective tissue that is damaged within your dog’s joints.
They are oral supplements or injections, depending on your pet’s needs and preferences!
Conclusion
So as you can see, there are various treatment options for chihuahua arthritis, both from home and the veterinarian! Before making any decisions, you must think carefully about what will work best for your pet and its quality of life. Remember to consult your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns!
When treating Chihuahua arthritis, there are many options available depending on the severity of the condition. Some treatments, such as adequate injections and NSAIDs, are designed to reduce inflammation in the joints, while others, like steroids and analgesics, provide immediate pain relief.
However, all of these treatments come with their own set of risks and side effects. It would help if yTherefore, you considered them before making a decision.
There are also several alternative treatments available that may be a better fit for your dog than the traditional options. So consult with your veterinarian to find the best solution for your Chihuahua!
