Dog breeds prone to arthritis?
Small dogs suffer from degenerative diseases that create joint pain as well Legg-Calve Perthes Disease or LCPD which affects small breeds like Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and West Highland White Terriers. LCPD is a childhood condition that occurs when blood supply to the ball part femoral head of the hip joint is temporarily interrupted and the bone begins to die.
Dog breeds prone to Canine Hip Dysplasia Bulldog, Otterhound, Clumber Spaniel, St. Bernard, Newfoundland Dog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bullmastiff, Bloodhound, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd, Great Danes.
Dog breeds prone to Elbow Dysplasia Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Chinese Shar-Pei, Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundland Dog, German Shepherd, Bloodhound, Bullmastiff, English Setter, Swiss Mountain Dog.
Dog breeds prone to luxated patella or knee cap slip Miniature and Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Maltese, Jack Russell Terriers, Yorkies, Pomeranians, Pekingese, Chihuahuas, Papillions, Boston Terriers, Boykin, cocker spaniels, Basset Hounds and Dachshunds. Mostly smaller breeds suffer from luxated patella due to their abnormal anatomical structure.
Dog breeds prone to arthritis German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, Newfoundland Dog, St. Bernard, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Great Danes and Old English Sheep Dogs.
What is the best age to start supplements for dogs?
When a puppy is born its body produces a lot of healthy chemicals, which help the puppy throughout its life. The milk they have from their mother is a very rich source for all healthy vitamins, minerals and vital nutrients that support the dog’s immune system and health for the first few months. But, once the dog has been weaned off, these vital nutrients start to become less, as their body does not produce the nutrients it was getting from the mother’s milk.
When the dog is 12 months old, its body has mostly stopped producing some of the other vital chemicals, so this is the right age to introduce joint supplements in their diet. Depending on the breed and size of the dog the age to start joint supplements varies. You should always consult with your vet before starting any supplements.
The dogs have so much stamina, they are always running, jumping, leaping, expending so much energy all the time, which causes a lot of wear and tear on the bones, joints, muscles and cartilage of the dog’s body. This is the time their body requires extra help for their health and well-being. The dogs grow at such a fast pace they require joint supplements to help in their growth spurt, without any deficiency caused due to the lack of vital nutrients which could develop into severe health issues later in their life.
How arthritis affects a dog?
Arthritis is a disease which afflicts the bones and joints, it’s a condition where the joints get inflamed and cause a great deal of pain as the dogs get older. Dog owners as well as the veterinarians rarely notice the early symptoms as dogs hide their soreness and discomfort until it is very late to treat the condition. Glucosamine, chondroiton sulfate and many other such supplements are used to treat arthritis in dogs. It is important to remember that no nutritional supplement can correct any structural damage that’s present in the dogs bones and joints. This is true in case of humans too, any type of abnormalities in the bone, tissue, cartilage and joint will remain as they are, nutritional supplements cannot rectify these defects. A good joint supplement protects the dog from arthritis, joint pain and other health problems. These supplements help maintain healthy joints and reduce the risk of developing arthritis as they grow older. These joint supplements benefit dogs of all ages.
