Managing Hip and Joint Issues in Senior Pets: How to Spot and Alleviate Your Pet’s Discomfort

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As our furry friends age, they may begin to experience hip and joint mobility issues that can impact their quality of life. These issues can be painful and challenging for your pet, but there are steps you can take to help ease their discomfort. In this blog post, we’ll discuss common hip and joint issues in senior pets, how to spot the signs, and what you can do to help.

Common Hip and Joint Issues in Senior Pets

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic condition that affects many breeds of dogs, especially larger breeds like German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Labrador Retrievers. It is a condition where the ball and socket joint of the hip do not fit together properly, causing pain and discomfort. This condition is genetic and can develop at any age, but it is more common in older dogs.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects both humans and pets. This condition occurs when the cartilage in the joints begins to wear down, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Arthritis is more common in older dogs but can also affect younger dogs that have suffered from an injury.

How to Spot the Signs of Hip and Joint Issues in Senior Pets

Signs of hip and joint issues can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Here are some common signs to look out for:

Limping or lameness

If your dog has difficulty putting weight on one or more legs or seems to be limping, this could be a sign of a hip or joint issue.

Stiffness

Alternatively, if your dog seems to be having difficulty moving around or gets up more slowly than usual, this could be a sign of arthritis or other joint issues.

Difficulty standing or lying down

If your dog is having difficulty standing up or lying down, it could be a sign of joint pain or stiffness.

Avoiding stairs or jumping

If your dog avoids stairs or seems reluctant to jump up on furniture or into the car, this could be a sign of joint pain.

Decreased activity level

Lastly, a sign of joint pain or stiffness could be if your dog seems less active than usual or shows less interest in playtime or walks.

What You Can Do to Help

It’s important to take action to help ease their discomfort if you suspect that your senior pet is experiencing hip and joint mobility issues. Here are some steps you can take:

Consult with your veterinarian

If you notice any signs of hip or joint issues in your pet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They can perform a physical exam and may recommend x-rays or other diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the issue.

Manage your pet’s weight

Excess weight can put additional stress on your pet’s joints, exacerbating any hip or joint issues they may have. Managing your pet’s weight through a healthy diet and exercise can help to reduce the pressure on their joints.

Provide joint supplements

There are many joint supplements available that can help to support your pet’s joint health. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two supplements that can help to reduce inflammation and maintain cartilage health.

Prudence Ultimate Hip and Joint Supplement

A great supplement to try for hip and joint support is Prudence Ultimate Hip and Joint from Hollywood Feed. Our dogs’ cartilage and synovial membrane cushion their joints, which is where two bones come together. A small injury at some point in any dog’s life can eventually cause inflammation of the joint, and degradation of cartilage and then bone. Prudence manages healthy joints by preventing further injury and helping existing injuries.

Their special formula contains Egg Proteoglycan Matrix (containing NEM or Natural Egg Membrane), Green Lipped Mussels, Boswellia, and MSM as well as a few other ingredients. Egg Proteoglycan Matrix provides calcium and helps prevent bones from breaking down. Natural Egg Membrane is the layer between an egg’s shell and the white of the egg. You’ll see this when peeling hard boiled eggs in particular. This ingredient has been proven to be 5 times more effective than Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in managing arthritic symptoms. Learn more in this video from Dr. Jill Cline.

Here’s a testimonial about how Prudence can help your senior pet:

“One of my senior dogs, Skeeter, is 11 and has had trouble with his hips for the past few years. He has never been a highly active dog, really more of a couch potato, but when it’s time to go to the dog park or play fetch in the backyard then he really commits and has fun! For the past few years, after an exciting adventure, I have noticed that he is prone to limping or has trouble getting up from a sitting or lying position.

Also, if one of my other dogs cuddles with him by lying on his back legs or hips, that can also affect his ability to get around. While this limping or soreness will often wear off in a day or two, I hate to see him suffer at all! Since I’ve started using Prudence Ultimate Hip and Joint once a day, every day, these issues seem to have pretty much disappeared.

I have another senior dog, Annie, age 10. She is absolutely unstoppable and her adrenaline gets her through any injury she has ever had, and she usually doesn’t injure easily. Despite this, as she has gotten older, I have realized that she is not invincible even if she hasn’t come to the same realization. I have recently started to put a scoop of Prudence Ultimate Hip and Joint on her food as well, as a preventative measure. She’s not quite as agile as she used to be, even though she will still run head first into a brick wall if it means catching a tennis ball.”

Consider alternative therapies

There are many alternative therapies available that can help to manage joint pain and stiffness in pets. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and hydrotherapy are some examples.

Provide a comfortable environment

Make sure your pet has a comfortable place to rest that is easy for them to access. Soft bedding and ramps can help to reduce joint strain and make it easier for your pet to move around.

Conclusion

Hip and joint issues can be a challenging and painful problem for your senior pet. However, by taking steps to identify the signs of joint issues and managing your pet’s weight and providing supplements and alternative therapies, you can help to ease their discomfort and maintain their quality of life. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting any new treatment plan for your pet’s hip and joint issues.