Having a dog is a big responsibility. Some even compare taking care of a dog to that of a baby. The only advantage having dogs compared to having babies is that they won’t grow older and turn into stressful teenagers. Because dogs are like babies they sometimes also end up in harmful situations. They would sometimes get themselves trapped in a tight place or get hit by something that will injure one of their limbs. When that happens, we should learn how to bandage our dogs to prevent further damage. Here are some basic ways of how to bandage your injured dog.

1. When your pet has a bandage, it should always be clean and dry. So it’s pretty important to make sure your pet stays inside most of the time when it has a bandage. To prevent the bandage from getting wet when the pet goes to pee or poop, a trash bag or plastic covering should cover the bandaged leg. You may use empty bread bags. When your pet has wet or dirtied up the bandage, it would require changing. Make sure to check the bandage twice a day to see if it is clean and dry. Check also for foul odors or discharge and if there is any, call your veterinarian immediately.

2. After bringing home your pet from the veterinarian make sure that the bandage is still in place. Your pet might have been irritated by it and has chewed or tried to scratch it off. Look closely at the position and the location of the bandage when you do check. Look at the toes of the pet, the bandage might have slipped up making the toes stick out. Also look at the size, if the bandage has become loose. This should be taken into account when a dog has been bandaged in the abdomen or leg area. This is because one end will be bigger than the other and eventually become narrower. When the bandage telescopes down the limb of the dog it may bunch up and abrade the limb. When that happens, the bandage should be changed as well.

3. If the dog is bandaged up in the leg make sure it isn’t too tight. Observe how the toes will appear at the bottom of the bandage at least twice a day. This is done to check for sweating, swelling, or pain. Check for skin chaffing, redness, discharge or swelling before and after the bandage has been applied.

4. To prevent the pet from chewing the bandage because of the bothersome experience it gives, put an Elizabethan collar. If you have observed that the pet is chewing or scratching it excessively, ask the vet if there might be problems.

These are the times that you should already be taking the pet back to the veterinarian:

• Swelling above or below the bandage
• Chewing the bandage
• Bandage becomes wet
• Bleeding or discharge above, below or through
• Scheduled bandage changes

Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dog’s age. It is similar to humans as calcification and inflammation cause joint pain and reduced activity. Some forms of arthritis like Canine Hip Dysplasia can develop early in life due to genetics and diet.  Fortunately, arthritis in dogs can be treated.

Treatments for canine arthritis range from natural supplements using chondroitin and glucosamine, to veterinary prescribed drugs such as Rimadyl and Deramaxx.  Studies and actual results have shown that natural supplements can be extremely effective in fighting the effects of arthritis in dogs without the potentially dangerous side effects of Rimadyl and Deramaxx.  Before deciding which treatment option is best for your dog, you should observe the signs of dog arthritis.

Signs of Dog Arthritis

1.  Limping and general reduced activity.

2.  Favoring one or both of the front or back limbs.

3.  Morning activity or cold weather makes the dog less active.

4.  Difficulty rising from a resting position, especially in the morning.

5.  Pain to the touch.

6.  Reluctance to jump.

If you suspect your dog has arthritis, you should know the different forms or types of arthritis. The most common disorders are listed below.

Types of Dog Arthritis

1.  Osteoarthritis – Also known as canine arthritis or dog arthritis, it          is the most common form of arthritis and most easily treated.  Develops slowly as the dog ages.

2.  Rheumatoid Arthritis – This is an immune mediated disease and can affect the whole body. Several joints can be affected and the      lameness can come and go without notice. Considered a more serious condition than dog osteoarthritis.

3.  Degenerative Disc Disease – This is where the discs in the      vertebrae develop calcification and become rigid. They become less able to withstand compression. This can lead to a severe injury and paralysis if the discs rupture or become herniated.

4.  Stifle Joint Disorder – This is a condition in which the knee and joint      becomes unstable. This is usually from a stretched or torn ligament. This can also cause the joint cartilage to become damaged and inflamed.

5.  Canine Hip Dysplasia – This is caused by looseness in the socket      connecting the thighbone and hipbone. This development usually      occurs when the dog is young but can develop at any age.  A      common sign is to hear a clicking sound when the dog walks.

Treatment Options

1.  Natural Supplements – Most natural supplements use chondroitin       and/or glucosamine as its primary ingredient.  All of the       glucosamine forms originate and are extracted from shellfish.         Chrondroitin is derived from animal cartilage.  Many products like       Free and Easy for Dogs use glucosamine and chondroitin and       combine additional supplements to provide a synergistic effect.         Besides glucosamine and chondroitin, some of the more popular and effective supplements added are       msm, ester-c, and hyaluronic acid.  Many studies have been done       which have proved the effectiveness of these supplements in       humans.  Dog owners have also reported many positive outcomes for       their dogs using these natural supplements.

2.  Rimadyl & Deramaxx – These drugs are obtained by prescription      only. They are called NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).      Rimadyl was introduced by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in January      1997 to help treat dogs with inflammation and pain associated with      surgery or canine arthritis. It is effective but it must be used with      caution. Search Google for  “What Your Vet May Not Tell You About Rimadyl” for more detailed information.      At a minimum, you need to have blood work done to monitor the liver enzymes to      ensure your dog doesn’t have a toxic reaction to the drugs.

3.  Surgery – Surgery can be an easy decision or a very difficult      decision. Often, money is a concern and some surgeries like disc      surgery can cost around $3,500. Often, the age of the dog has to      be considered when making this decision. And the outlook and      prognosis is very important.  You do not want the dog to suffer      unnecessarily. At the very least, you should only consider surgery      after ensuring an accurate diagnosis has been made.  This may      involve taking x-rays and a myelogram. A myelogram is done by      injecting dye in the spinal canal to enable your doctor to detect      abnormalities of the spine, spinal cord, or surrounding structures.

Summary – Dog Arthritis can be a very debilitating disease if left untreated. Dog owners should pay close attention to their animals and take prompt action when symptoms are noticed. Often a natural supplement is all that is needed to help your dog.  Sometimes more aggressive treatments are needed such as surgery.  The most important thing is to notice and diagnose the problem and then decide what treatment is best for your dog.