Contrary to popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks! But if your dog is in pain, they may not want to learn these new tricks. What you should be asking yourself is what can you do to improve your pet’s health despite ageing.
Joint pain can be the result of a disease called "osteoarthritis," which affects one out of every four dogs, and not all of them are old. Osteoarthritis, also known as arthritis in dogs, is the most common type of degenerative joint disease.
How Can Joint Supplements Help Pets with Arthritis?
Joint issues are often based on your pet’s breed, size, activity level, or previous illness or injury, certain dogs or cats are more likely to develop joint problems. Discuss your pet’s activity, diet, and overall risk level with your veterinarian.
Some dogs develop joint problems before they reach full maturity. As a result, joint care, like annual veterinary visits and vaccinations, should be part of your pup's overall routine wellness care.
If your dog is predisposed to joint issues such as hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis, starting a regular joint supplement earlier in life will most likely benefit your dog.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a type of progressive arthritis that affects one out of every four dogs. This is the most common cause of canine joint pain. Osteoarthritis destroys the cushioning between joints, resulting in pain, inflammation, and loss of movement.
If your dog is in pain and has limited mobility, joint and cartilage damage has most likely already occurred. Joint supplements may aid in the management of existing symptoms and the prevention of further deterioration.
Tests show that astaxanthin aids in the recovery of patients with arthritis and osteoporosis, as well as athletes with joint pain due to injury or over-exercise. Furthermore, the use of Astavet can help prevent joint pain and slow the spread of joint-related disorders.
Astaxanthin can relieve any type of joint pain, from post-exercise pain to pain from illnesses and various bone and joint disorders, which is why it is gaining popularity. Inflammation, fatigue, and many autoimmune conditions are frequently caused by cellular imbalances. The presence of Astavet containing astaxanthin in your pets significantly reduces inflammation and, particularly in arthritis, swelling and pain.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in Dogs?
Some dogs show signs of arthritis as young as one year old, and veterinarians estimate that up to 80% of senior dogs exhibit symptoms. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC's chief veterinary officer, your dog may be developing osteoarthritis if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- After lying down, you may experience stiffness, lameness, or limping.
- Unwillingness to walk up the stairs, run, jump, or play.
- Appetite changes.
- Lethargy
- Irritation occurs suddenly when touched or petted.
- Muscle mass loss in the back limbs
- Difficulties urinating or unexpected accidents in the house
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the veterinarian for a thorough examination. The vet will perform a physical exam, talk with you about what you've seen, and may order additional tests to look into any affected joints.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in Cats?
The problem with detecting osteoarthritis in cats is that the disease usually manifests itself gradually, and cats never complain about their aching joints. Most pet parents also believe that the typical signs of osteoarthritis like sleeping more and walking stiffly are normal in older cats and thus not indicative of a disease. If you notice these symptoms in your cat at any age, contact your veterinarian right away.
The following are symptoms of arthritis in a cat:
- After-exercise stiffness
- Muscle deterioration
- Impaired mobility
- Grooming modifications
- Joint swelling
- The litter box is missing.
- Unknown source of aggression or irritability
- Standing, climbing, jumping, or going up the stairs is difficult.
- Getting more sleep
- There could even be a grating sound in the joints.
What is the Treatment for Osteoarthritis in Pets?
If arthritis is diagnosed, the veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan to manage the condition and reduce pain, based on the dog and cat’s age and the severity of the disease. For dogs who are predisposed to arthritis, veterinarians may recommend beginning preventative treatment at a young age to protect young joints and continuing treatment as the dog ages.
Treatment plans for dogs, like those for humans, may include a combination of therapies, such as joint supplements, weight management, activity modification, low-impact exercise, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture, and, in some cases, surgery.
Joint supplements such as Astavet are one of the most commonly recommended long-term, safe treatments for reducing inflammation and pain, improving function, and slowing the progression of joint damage and arthritis.
How Can AstaVet Help with Prevention?
If there was a competition for names of new products that are ridiculously difficult to pronounce that would be astaxanthin.
When certain algae are stressed, they produce astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant. Astaxanthin belongs to the class of compounds known as carotenoids.
Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigment colours. Beta carotene is another carotenoid example. The orange pigment is what gives foods like orange peppers their orange colour.
Astaxanthin is a red pigment that turns animals that consume it pink. Without astaxanthin, salmon, shrimp, and flamingos would not be pink. It's added to a lot of goldfish foods to keep them a nice deep orange colour. Furthermore, flamingos are born with grey feathers. They don't turn pink until they start eating algae and crustaceans, which are their natural diet.
Astavet is an effective anti-inflammatory, it is also beneficial to joint health. Compare it to any other joint product you use on your dogs.
It actually blocks and handles a variety of chemicals that cause pain. It also reduces inflammation in the body, which is always a precursor to chronic disease.
Protecting your pet’s joints with the right supplement is a daily commitment that will help ensure a good quality of life while you enjoy the irreplaceable companionship that your pets provide in life's adventures.
A chew of Astavet or two added to your pets’ regular meals will promote a healthier life and more importantly a happier life for your beloved pets.