Alternative Dog Arthritis Treatment Series Part 1 – An Introduction

Dog arthritis has no cure; however, there are many forms of treatment available. Modern veterinary medicine utilizes painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, supplements, and if necessary, surgery, to improve the quality life of dogs suffering from dog arthritis. However there has been burgeoning number of dog owners and even vets exploring non-standard treatments – alternative medicine is not so alternative these days.

This article introduces you to some of the common alternative treatments for dog arthritis and watch out for more articles that explain alternative medicines in much more detail.

Alternative Treatments for Dog Arthritis.

1. 1. Acupuncture. This ancient healing practice uses needles, finger pressure, heat and other methods on specific points of the body.   Acupuncture was first practiced in China several thousand years ago and it spread to the neighboring lands of Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. In China, acupuncture is accepted as mainstream medicine while in the US numerous studies are still being conducted to prove its efficacy. Despite not being proven to help there are many people in the US and abroad who feel it helps their dogs greatly. In veterinary medicine, acupuncture is used in the treatment for allergies, constipation, kidney disorders, and kidney disease. It is also believed to be effective in managing the pain caused by dog arthritis. Practitioners of acupuncture believe that the correct placements of needles on your dog’s body will trigger the production of endorphins. These block pain pathways in a dog’s nervous system.
2. Chiropractors. Chiropractors use fast, gentle motions on a dog’s musculoskeletal system to restore normal movement of joints. The method focuses on the spine because it is here that ailments are able to cause negative effects on the body through the central nervous system.
3. Herbal Medicine. Humans and even animals use the healing properties of plants. Plants with analgesic properties are used in the treatment of dog arthritis. A strong tonic made of  devils claw, corydalis, and  ginger might help in the pain and inflammation. Alfalfa or meadowsweet can also be used. Read my blog posts on Arthritis Treatment with a Natural Twist for more information.
4. Homeopathy. This 200-year old healing practice believes in the use of certain substances to create certain reactions, so that their body can ward off ailments. Before remedies are prepared for your dog, homeopathic vet will analyze your dog’s lifestyle and environment. Once this is done, a concoction is made to both address any physical ailments and behavioral issues.

Is Alternative Medicine Safe and Effective?

The appeal of alternative medicine is in its use of nature-based methods. People think that what is found in nature must be good for the body. But it is important to point out that none of these forms of treatment have been proven to be uniformly effective – some treatments work for some dogs.

You should look for an alternative medicine practitioner who chooses their cases carefully, who use their treatments to complement western medicine and who have some qualifications in this field. Balance this with advice from your veterinarian and you can achieve the best dog arthritis treatment for your pet.

Look out for more articles in this series on alternative treatments for dog arthritis.

Source: Dog Arthritis Blog  -  Cross-Posted at Just One More Pet

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