Treatments and Support for Joint Pain In Dogs

How To Support Joint Pain In Dogs Both with the Veterinarian and At Home

When a veterinarian diagnoses your pet with joint injuries or issues, typically your vet will provide a few recommendations on the best treatment for the injury and/or any joint pain. 

The appropriate treatment for joint pain and its underlying cause in your dog will vary based on its severity and the specific root cause. In conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia, they will typically require surgical intervention to rectify if your pet is a good candidate for surgery. If your senior pet is affected by either of these dysplasias, special considerations or alternatives like orthopedic bracing may be considered. Some degenerative joint conditions, if caught early, can be treated by a combination of nutrition, rehabilitation and exercise prescribed by your vet to lessen the pain your pet is experiencing.

While specific treatment may vary from case to case, your veterinarian’s treatment goal is to get them back to their typical level of activity and mobility. This is especially important for younger dogs and your dog's general long-term health since well-developed muscles around their joints will actually help to reduce the load those joints have to bear themselves.

Most important to remember: an active dog is a healthy dog. So ensuring that they have the means to be active without pain is a shared goal between pet parents and their veterinarians.

Many treatments will also involve an assessment of your dog's weight compared to their size. If they are overweight, that can indicate that they are placing additional strain on their joints, so a specialized diet may be prescribed to help ease the pain from weight-related circumstances.