Pet Health and Wellness – Pain Prevention
Your dog moves through many life stages. From young puppy, to adolescent, to adult, then senior and finally geriatric. Each stage has their own health concerns. The best means of facing them is through prevention. Not just incident prevention but also pain prevention.
Puppy Health
Puppies move through rapid development from the age of 2 months. Every part of their bodies are expanding - building muscle, stretching tendons, bones elongating, and minds developing. Between the ages of 4 and 8 months they form higher and higher energy levels. Sometimes their bodies cannot keep up with their activities, as they are not yet fully developed.
Large Breed Puppy Development
Large breed puppies often develop faster than their own bodies can adjust to. Their bones, tendons and muscles may develop at different rates making them accident prone, or likely to develop Panosteitis. This is a condition where the bone’s outer tissue becomes inflamed. The source of this cannot often be discovered, but can be traced genetically to the large breed male puppies in particular.
This condition manifests as lameness on one, or more legs, often in the upper portions of the legs. It may not always be present, or may switch from one leg to another depending on the dog’s activity levels. Veterinarians can diagnose the condition via x-rays and may put the pup on anti-inflammatory medications as well as low-impact exercise routines.
There are ways, however, that you can mitigate the condition through the use of nutraceuticals, antioxidant supplements and Omega-3 Fatty Acids added to a good diet rich in protein. It is also a good idea to stick to a large breed puppy diet as it is best formulated to handle the pup’s energy needs.
Small Breed Puppy Development
Each specific dog breed can be prone to several health issues. Small dogs have a list of common ailments of which you should be aware and engage in the prevention of their occurrence.
Patellar Luxation
As small dogs tend to have small legs, they are prone to Patellar Luxation. This is a dislocated kneecap which can make normal walking painful. A pup may hold up the affected leg, attempting to avoid the discomfort of using it.
There aren’t any ways to prevent this other than following careful breeding practices. You can supplement your dog’s diet with nutraceuticals that contain chondroitin and glucosamine to maintain the synovial fluid between the joints as well as Omega fatty acid supplements. Eventually, the dog will require corrective surgery. But you’ll need to wait until they have reached full growth.
Pancreatitis
Another common health issue is pancreatitis. Their little digestive systems can be very sensitive. Eating the wrong foods can cause severe discomfort and weight loss.
You can correct and prevent this through the use of digestive enzymes and probiotics to aid in metabolism. Foods high in fat should not be part of their diet as it stresses their pancreas. Ingredients such as rice, pumpkin, green vegetables and lean meats maintain pancreatic health. Also, meals should be small and frequent. For example, instead of feeding twice per day, break the rations down to equal portions four times each day.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Small dogs with short noses can experience Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. This can cause difficulty breathing. As this is a genetic abnormality, you cannot cure it, but you can manage it as follows:
· Never allow your dog to remain outside during extreme temperatures – cold or hot.
· Keep exercise sessions short, but do so several times each day.
· Never apply undue pressure to their nasal areas.
· Clean their faces daily, removing debris and mucous from within their facial folds. Clean with a moist, soft cloth.
· Keep your home as free of dust as possible. The higher the dust content the tougher it will be for them to breathe.
Note: Start all of these procedures the first day you bring your small, brachycephalic breed home. Get them in the habit of being cleaned and manipulated. A cooperative dog will keep the process positive.
Common Health Concerns for All Dogs
Regardless of your dog’s age they are exposed to many environmental and age-related factors that can impact their health and well-being. As a pet parent there are many ways you can prevent the incidence of these concerns as well as mitigate them to some extent.
Overall, a good diet and grooming regimen, including ear cleaning, will keep many health issues at bay. Also, regular veterinary visits, flea, tick and parasite prevention, good hydration, appropriate exercise and mental stimulation enhance a dog’s life at all stages.
Making sure your dog gets daily vitamins can be achieved through high quality supplements and diet ingredients. Researching the ingredients in your dog’s commercial diet is an important step toward ensuring their overall health.
Here are a few other ways to keep tabs on your dog’s health:
· Maintain their weight – Obese dogs have a shorter life span. Bearing more weight on their bodies than they should stresses every part of them. They cannot move properly, breath well, or even behave normally. Your dog should always have a waistline!
· Keep your dog stimulated with exercise, experiences and new learning skills. Dogs love to learn new behaviors. They get excited and active which burns calories and enhances their behavior in every way. A dog who is motivated to perform is less likely to get in trouble or have the need to express excess energy.
· Pay attention to your dog’s dental hygiene. Brush your dog’s teeth daily, if possible, and make sure they are free of tartar build-up. A yearly dental cleaning is important to keep their teeth and gums in good health. Good teeth help them chew, digest and maintain their health. Dental washes, dental toys and refraining from feeding high carbohydrate foods aids in this endeavor.
While you cannot prevent genetic issues or those caused by environmental factors such as chemicals and pollutants, you do have some control over the health and longevity of your dog.
References:
10 Common Health Issues in Dogs and How to Prevent Them
Panosteitis in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals
Dog and Cat Natural Pancreatitis Supplements – The Pet Health and Nutrition Center
Recommended Products:
Essential vitamins and minerals are combined with manganese and zinc to support immunity, skin & coat health, energy, hip & joint function, digestion, heart function, and brain health!
Support & maintain joint health; but are also known to help reduce inflammation & ease pain. Most importantly though, they help improve your pet’s ability to repair & strengthen joint tissues from the inside out