Can Omega-3 Help Our Arthritic Dogs?

I am always reading for alternative ways to treat our dogs or for reference in discussions with other dog owners. But that was not always the way we handled our dog’s health.  Recently, I found an article on giving Omega-3 supplements to dogs with arthritis. We had a basset hound that had arthritis in his spine when he was about 12 years old.  By the time he died at 14 years of age, he could not move and we had to carry him around but his personality was still apparent through his facial expressions and vocal responses.  We followed traditional veterinarian medicine at the time.

Results of a study completed by the Kansas State University, suggested that Omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in dogs.  Additional benefit of giving Omega-3 to your dogs may be with heart health, joint movement, their immune function, a healthier skin/coat, weight management and some studies have mentioned eye & brain health.

In recent years, we have begun to feed our dogs fresh steamed salmon at least once per week.  We steam it in water and add to their dry food.  Adding steamed spinach, mashed cooked sweet potatoes, steamed peas or green beans to your dog’s good quality dry dog food weekly (if not daily) practice to enhance his vitamin/mineral intake.

We had a TX holistic DVM and we learned much about how to merge traditional medicine with holistic methods/herbs. Since everything that your dog has to eat may affect his body, we believe that quality ingredients in their meals and snacks/treats are extremely important.  If you were to compare a portion of food for your dog against a portion of your food, $ 2.10 per can is very reasonable at your vet’s office. I realize that vet’s vary in pricing but low-residue specialized dog food from your vet is worth your consideration.

In addition, owners of arthritic dogs may want to search the internet for more information and/or ask your dog’s DVM.

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Would a raised dog feeder help my dog?

A massage client asked me this question earlier this week.   The dog in question is a Boxer (beautiful boy) who happens to be suffering from degeneration in his spine.

Although he is doing well with regular swimming, acupuncture and massage therapy, his owner knows that he is comparatively young (8) and she wants him to have a good quality of life for a long time.  So that’s when we started talking about changes she could make to his physical environment to make things less stressful for him (ramps, steps, etc.)

Would a raised feeder help my dog?

Raised feeders can be a real advantage for a dog with orthopaedic problems or arthritis.  Eating from a raised feeder helps to relieve strain on the neck and back, allowing the dog to eat without dramatically altering their posture and helping them to retain balance.

But – some studies have shown that dogs who are susceptible to bloat have an increased risk from eating from a raised feeder.  The most notable reference for this link is an article by Dr Larry Glickman in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 17, No. 10.

Gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV) is known by the common term ‘bloat’  and other terms such as ‘stomach torsion’ or ‘twisted stomach.’  Regardless of what name you use, the condition is life-threatening.  Dogs can die of bloat within several hours.   Even with treatment, as many as 25-33% of dogs who develop bloat will die.

In bloat, the stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs and the diaphragm. The pressure on the diaphragm makes it difficult for the dog to breathe. The air-filled stomach also compresses large veins in the abdomen, preventing blood from returning to the heart.

Filled with air, the stomach can easily rotate on itself, pinching off its blood supply. This rotation is known as volvulus.  The stomach begins to die and the entire blood supply is disrupted.  A dog with this condition can deteriorate very rapidly – meaning a trip to the vet as an emergency.

Purdue University ranks Boxers as the 16th breed most susceptible to bloat (Great Danes are the highest).  So, in this case, the owner decided not to opt for a raised feeder.  Not only is her Boxer on the higher risk list, but he also is a gobbler – making quick work of his food!

This is just one example where it pays to do a little research.  An idea that seems like a good one may not be so.

Raised Dog Feeders Help Against Bloat

Using an elevated dog feeder reduces the air your dog ingests while eating and drinking.  This in turn helps avoid stomach bloat which is the second leading cause of death in dogs.

“In bloat (dilatation), due to a number of different and sometimes unknown reasons, the stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs and diaphragm. The pressure on the diaphragm makes it difficult for the dog to breathe. The air-filled stomach also compresses large veins in the abdomen, thus preventing blood from returning to the heart. Filled with air, the stomach can easily rotate on itself, thus pinching off its blood supply. Once this rotation (volvulus) occurs and the blood supply is cut off, the stomach begins to die and the entire blood supply is disrupted and the animal’s condition begins to deteriorate very rapidly. ” PetEducation.com

Secondly, it allows our dogs to eat at a more natural level which reduces the strain on the neck, back muscles, and joints.  The height from these feeders allows a dog to stand more naturally, eliminating the need for dogs to crouch down.  This is especially beneficial for larger dogs, seniors or dog with arthritis.

Lastly, a raised dog feeder will keep their eating area cleaner.  At Defining Designs you can purchase a custom made feeder in your choice of height, color, dog embellishments, number of bowls, etc.  They are not only beautiful and enhance your home, but they are also healthier for your dog.  Whether you have show dogs, are a celebrity that lavishes your pets, or someone who has a rescue dog … these raised dog feeders would be a great addition to your home.

Since our items are one-of-a-kind we always invite custom orders.  For your convenience we take Visa, Mastercard and Discover as well as PayPal.  The “Pawsitively Elegant” collection is a division of Defining Designs by cms where you can find more beautiful custom mosaics for the home, office, garden and pets.  Click here for other unique and handmade items for your home.

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