Vets Recommend Using This for Your Dog’s Mobility Issues
Just like humans, dogs’ strength and health tend to deteriorate as they age. Senior dogs also struggle with mobility and need more support to get up and move around. But just because mobility in senior dogs declines over time doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality of life has to be compromised as well. If you notice that your furry friend is slowing down with age, you will want to do almost everything to make your dog’s life comfortable and easier. Your vet may advise using a dog elbow pad and a mobility aid so you don’t have to give up those treasured evening strolls and joyous trips to the nearby park.
WHY DO VETS RECOMMEND DOG ELBOW PADS?
Vets usually recommend using dog elbow pads for medical purposes. Your dog might need to use an elbow pad while recovering from surgery or when suffering from chronic joint pain. Elbow pads can also be essential for other elbow disorders such as arthritis, deformity, or hygromas to speed up recovery. These pads also protect the injured part from bumps and jolts while supporting the elbow for proper movement.
As elbow pads typically include some type of padding, your dog can sit or lie down more easily when wearing them. Keep in mind that using an elbow pad is only appropriate when your dog’s doctor advises it because sometimes wearing one might have negative effects.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MOBILITY ISSUES IN PETS?
Because there isn’t a specific reason behind the mobility issues in pets, the symptoms also vary. Many pet parents notice that their dogs seem a little tired and stiffer than usual, especially when they get up from a nap. When they exercise, they move more slowly than usual and can have trouble leaping up, like into a couch or into a vehicle.
While some dogs usually whine or scream in extreme circumstances when you touch or stroke a hurting joint, some of them appear more grumpy or lethargic than normal.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE MOBILITY ISSUES IN PETS?
If you diagnose mobility issues in your pets before they get severe, you can help them with their mobility by following your vet’s instructions. The vet can also recommend some tests to know about the root cause of the issue based on the first examination. Blood samples are helpful to test your pet’s hematology and biochemistry, which give a screening of its general health and the reports can assist in identifying any more underlying factors. There are indeed particular blood tests available to check for some of the diseases transmitted by ticks.
The next stage may be diagnostic imaging. For many diseases, radiographs are an excellent place to start. The veterinarian will be able to see your pet’s bones and check its joints for any abnormalities that can be the main reason behind its mobility issues.
Joint taps, which involve taking fluid samples from your pet’s joints using a small-sized needle for examination, can be necessary in some cases. It helps in identifying any abnormal cells or infections. Your pet may need more precise imaging if they have a spine problem. To see the spinal cord more clearly, vets perform a CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or take spinal fluid samples for detailed examination.
WRAPPING UP
Pets make their optimal efforts to entertain you and as a pet parent, it’s your moral obligation to keep your pet healthy. You should ensure that they eat healthily and get periodic tick vaccinations to lower the risk of diseases. Despite this, there are a number of conditions that might limit your dog’s movement during the course of its life. Be sure to arrange a visit with the vet for a thorough check-up when your dog starts aging.