 |
Many aging or senior animals, particularly large breed dogs, often suffer from degenerative spinal and/or joint disease, often limiting their mobility and agility, making it difficult for them to climb many stairs or jump up like they used to as younger dogs. |
While we have an emerging group of options in treating such pets, including nutritional supplements, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other pet pain medications, many of these handicapped animals also benefit from various physical devices in helping them ascend different areas of the home, just as routinely help handicapped humans move around easier.
In addition to complimentary medical therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture, and the emerging veterinary specialty of physical rehabilitation, I also find it helpful that guardians consider physical devices and assistants such as pet ramps and pet stairs to ease the work load on an aging or diseased spine or joints. In addition to pet ramps or pet stairs, many pets can be fitted for various type of carts attached to their lower body, which can often help dramatically as well in those pets with failing use of their lower legs because of spinal, arthritic disease, or even helpful in the post surgical disc disease candidate.
Read Related Posts on PetMeds Blog:
