The joints are a key part of the locomotor system, thanks to which the dog has freedom of movement, can satisfy its needs for physical exercise and mainly can relate to its external environment
As popular wisdom indicates "prevention is better than cure", therefore, it is not necessary for the dog to suffer from joint pathology to pay attention to these structures, but rather it is important to take care of them properly. natural to avoid any complications.
In this AnimalWised article we talk about the vitamins for joints in dogs.
What is a joint and what are its functions?
Just as the human being has joints, these structures are also present in the dog's musculoskeletal system.
A joint can be defined as the point of union between two bones, however, it is a complex structure that has various parts, such as the capsule and synovial membrane, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, among others, since depending on the mobility of a joint it will be formed in one way or another.
The function of the joint is mainly to allow mobility and cushion impacts, preventing both bone ends from rubbing against each other and wear out.
When should we pay special attention to the dog's joints?
As owners, we must defend responsible ownership, this means that from the moment the dog is adopted we must provide it hygienic, dietary, sanitary and affectionate carethat cover all your needs and provide you with the best possible quality of life.
Through diet and physical exercise we should always try to keep our dog in good he alth, but we should be especially concerned in the following cases:
- Large dogs predisposed to hip dysplasia
- Overweight or obese dogs
- Senior dogs
- Dogs that perform activities with a high joint impact, for example, that go for a run periodically
- Dogs that have suffered some kind of trauma
Vitamins to maintain dog joint he alth
The nutritional requirements presented by the dog should be covered mainly through food, however, in those cases necessary, a nutritional supplementation based on vitamins of special importance for joint he alth:
- Vitamin C: In addition to being an excellent antioxidant vitamin, vitamin C or ascorbic acid promotes the internal synthesis of collagen, a complex protein that forms cartilage and is present in all joints.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and for fixing it to bone tissue, therefore it is important to strengthen bones and prevent joint wear.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is another powerful antioxidant and reduces the damage that free radicals can do to the joints. This vitamin reduces inflammation and prevents loss of joint mobility.
Never give your dog a vitamin supplement without medical supervision because the veterinarian is the person who can best advise you about what choose a product and tell you how it should be used and for how long.
Watch for symptoms of joint disease
Your dog may suffer from joint disease despite the care you have been able to provide, and in this case it is worth knowing what the main symptoms of this type of condition are:
- Excessive panting
- You have lost interest in any type of activity
- Walks slowly and stiffly
- Performs daily activities with difficulty
- Displays restlessness and pain
- You may have a slight limp and walk sideways
If you notice any of these symptoms Go to the vet as soon as possible because the speed of care can determine the prognosis.
