If you think you’re the only one hobbling around the house with stiff joints, you might be mistaken. Humans aren’t the only ones suffering from joint pain, as our dogs, cats, horses, and other livestock are subject to the same afflictions. There are two most common causes of joint issues in dogs: cruciate ligament problems, where ligaments deteriorate over time and cause instability; and hip dysplasia, an inherited (genetic) condition resulting from an improperly formed hip joint. But since pets can’t always communicate their symptoms to us, this suffering sometimes goes unnoticed. In particular, dogs are pack-animals whose instinct does not allow them to show other members of their pack that they may be sick or suffering … out of fear that they may be removed from their pack.
With the best of intentions, veterinarians often prescribe powerful pain medications like Rimadyl. There are no shortage of loving pet owners with devastating stories about how they couldn’t afford the $75 a month it cost to keep pets on prescriptions for the rest of their lives. These stories become even more devastating when the effectiveness of the prescriptions wears off and pets begin suffering from serious side effects, as their joints continue to deteriorate.
To treat joint discomfort before it becomes unmanageable, feed your pet a raw organic diet that contains lots of meat and pureed fruits and vegetables. While on this diet, you can slip these and other all-natural supplements into their food: Omega-3 fatty acids, alfalfa, licorice, and yucca. Some veterinarians recommend natural supplements containing bromelain, boswellia, vitamin C, zinc, and green-lipped mussels. Seagate freeze-dried shark cartilage has been widely used by veterinarians clinics and animal trainers to provide natural joint relief.
If you start noticing your pet having trouble with common activities, you should take a proactive approach to prevent joint issues from getting worse. Some breeds are more prone to joint problems than others, and it’s not necessarily just the larger animals. If they are a ” pure bred” then their genetics place them at a higher risk for hip dysplasia. This rarely happens to “mutts”. Pay attention to your pet’s weight and avoid feeding fatty or sweet human foods to him. Daily exercise becomes even more important when joint pain symptoms first become noticeable. Whether it’s walking, running, or swimming, exercise will help oxygen reach the joint area and lubricate the joints. The last thing you want your pet to go through is an excruciating and risky surgical procedure, so practice healthy habits now and help to ensure their quality of life in the future.
This cowfish measured about 6 inches in length. He swims almost like a helicopter, hovering over the reef looking for food. At night, they are very calm, allowing me to approach within 2 feet to take his picture.