Vital Orthopedic Prevention Practices for Your Dog

Dogs often go to a veterinary hospital because they have joint problems. Orthopedic veterinary problems involve your dog’s bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, joints, and more. Even though these health problems are common in dogs of all sizes, some breeds may be more likely to have them. Large dogs, in particular, tend to develop bone and joint problems as they age because they are so heavy. Here are some critical tips to keep your dog’s joints healthy.

Provide your puppy with an adequate diet.

You probably have too many choices when shopping for dog food. Food made for your dog’s breed may seem like a gimmick to get your attention, but it can keep your dog from getting orthopedic problems. Hip dysplasia is one of the most typical orthopedic problems in dogs. It is caused by the dog’s genes and how fast it grows. Even though your puppy is more likely to get the joint disease because of its breed, you can control its growth by feeding it a breed-appropriate diet. Hip dysplasia is most common in large-breed dogs. It is more likely to happen in puppies genetically predisposed to eat too much calcium and other minerals while growing. If a puppy’s bones grow faster than the muscles and ligaments around them, the joint won’t be supported well and will wear out quickly from being used a lot.

If you think your puppy will grow up to be more than 40 pounds, giving them large breed puppy chow is one of the best things you can do for their joint health. Ask your family veterinarian from places like Providence South Animal Hospital for a feeding plan to help your puppy get the right amount of calories and minerals while preventing hip dysplasia.

Get your puppy spayed or neutered at the right time.

Veterinarians used to say that puppies should be spayed or neutered when they were about six months old. However, new research suggests that removing essential sex hormones too early can put your child at risk for future orthopedic problems. Estrogen and testosterone are important for bone growth in puppies because they control when the bones stop getting bigger. When you spay or neuter your puppy before its bones are done growing, these hormones are reduced. This makes their bones grow longer than normal and changes their shape and how their joints work. Studies show that hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament disease are less common in dogs that haven’t been spayed or neutered than in dogs that have.

Different dog breeds grow at different rates, and it often takes longer for bigger breeds to reach skeletal maturity than for smaller ones. Your puppy should not be spayed or neutered until its bones are fully grown. This will lower the chance that it will have problems with its joints. Your family vet will tell you when to start treatment based on how fast your puppy is expected to grow for you to learn more.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight.

When you are overweight, your joints are under more stress, leading to more wear and tear or making arthritis worse if you already have it. Keeping your dog’s body in good shape throughout its life can make arthritis much less likely and less painful. No matter how old your dog is, you should ask your family vet to give it a body condition score (BCS), which you can compare to its optimal BCS to see if it needs to lose weight. Your dog can return to a healthy weight by exercising regularly and eating a diet low in calories. When their overweight dogs lose weight, many owners are surprised to see that their dogs are happier and more active.

Conduct regular low-impact exercise.

Regular exercise is important for your pet wellness plans in Waxhaw, but the wrong kind of activity can lead to joint problems. Puppies that are still growing should avoid running on hard surfaces because the repeated impact can slow down the development of their bones and joints. If you want to take your athletic dog breed, like a Labrador retriever, jogging with you, ask your family doctor when it is safe to do so. Once your dog’s bones are fully grown, which for giant breeds can take up to 18 months, they can handle more intense exercise.

Conclusion

Even though many orthopedic diseases can be treated with drugs or other methods that don’t involve surgery, your dog may need surgery to relieve pain and improve its quality of life. You can make informed decisions, plan, and get your dog through treatment and rehabilitation so it can go back to chasing balls and jumping on the sofa.