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Tips to Help Aging Dogs with Arthritis & Mobility Loss

January 2, 2015 Ginger, our Golden Retriever and the inspiration for the GingerLead Dog Support Harness, began showing signs of arthritis shortly after she turned 10 years old. She had reconstructive hip surgery at 6 months old due to severe hip dysplasia (see Ginger’s Story), so we knew it was only a matter of time before arthritis could become an issue. Surprisingly, the surgically repaired hip has not been an issue. It’s the other leg she was often limping on. She also began to struggle to lift herself off the floor, particularly our tile or wood floors. Even with rest, it seemed to be getting worse. So we brought Ginger back to her orthopedic surgeon, and he confirmed that she was suffering from arthritis in her left hip. Over the last year and a half, we have experimented with various supplements and therapies in an effort to keep Ginger strong. Not only is she limping less, she’s actually gotten stronger and now plays with her little brother Jake daily. We’ve listed all the various therapies and supplements we’ve found to be helpful to keep our sweet Ginger healthy and happy.

DIET

Overweight or obese dogs have additional stress on their aging joints that can cause mobility to deteriorate at a more rapid pace than a dog that maintains a healthy weight. Fatty treats can be easily replaced with carrots and kale. Our dogs can’t get enough of these healthy treats. Fat free yogurt frozen in a Kong makes for a great treat for dogs with activity restrictions and provides great mental stimulation.

EXERCISE

Studies show that aging dogs that get regular exercise can actually help reduce the pain caused by arthritis and often improves mobility as well as quality of life. One of the worst things for a dog struggling with arthritis besides obesity is atrophy, which is caused by lack of muscle movement. For dogs already unsteady on their feet, the GingerLead can help rehabilitate their legs by providing balance or support while you walk them. Even short walks around the block or to fetch the mail can help your dog not only physically, but also keep their spirits up. Click here for testimonials about the GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harness.

LASER THERAPY

Laser is a non-invasive therapy that uses light to stimulate a targeted area. It’s great to reduce pain and inflammation in your dog’s arthritic knees, hips or back. We’ve always heard success stories with laser therapy so it was the first professional therapy we tried. After only 2 sessions (which included laser therapy and some time in the underwater treadmill) at CRCG / Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group, Ginger showed improvement. She was limping less and even started to run some, and was clearly in less pain. So we completed 5 session in 5 weeks and then continued her therapy once per month for “maintenance”.

HYDROTHERAPY / CANINE PHYSICAL THERAPY

Hydrotherapy is another great activity for dogs suffering from arthritis or other debilitating conditions. Swimming is great exercise for dogs since it’s low impact on their joints and the water provides resistance creating a good workout. Use of an underwater treadmill at a rehabilitation clinic can be very beneficial for building up strength and endurance. Ginger gets her underwater treadmill along with her laser therapy at Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group in Denver and we couldn’t be more pleased. Ginger loves the attention and her little brother Jake gets to swim in their recreational pool. We also do some exercises at home that they taught us at physical therapy. Ginger’s been going for physical therapy for a year and a half now, and she continues to get stronger. She gets much more exercise now, is more playful and limps less frequently. We do need to leave her GingerLead near the stairs for the days she overdoes it.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture uses needles inserted at specific points along a dog to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation. We’ve also heard good experiences with acupuncture, so we considered adding another therapy to Ginger’s routine. We visited our veterinarian Dr. Chris Spears at Park Animal Hospital & Wellness Center to give it a try. Ginger, who’s always been a high energy dog, was surprising calm through most of it. She was already doing pretty well with her mobility, so we were unable to determine if there was any improvement. However, we did notice that the acupuncture seemed to improve her overall well-being. She just seemed happier, so we started going once a month, alternating with the laser & hydrotherapy. After a few months, Dr. Chris thought it would be a good idea for Ginger to get some chiropractic treatment.

CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY

Chiropractic therapy is intended to restore a dog's range of motion with slight adjustments. It’s known to alleviate pain and strengthen joints. We were reluctant to bring Ginger to a chiropractor. She always had a unique gait after her hip surgery and it never seemed to slow her down, so we had some reservations. After talking it over with several resources, we decided to give it a try. Ginger got to visit with Dr. Andi Harper at Harper’s Ridge Animal Care who was highly recommended. She didn’t seem to mind the adjustments and after a couple of visits, her posture was improved and she appeared to be walking more comfortably. So now she sees Dr. Andi every other month. Today, Ginger gets a “spa” day every 2 weeks. She gets laser and physical therapy once a month, acupuncture every other month and chiropractic treatment every other month. We couldn’t be happier with how well she’s doing.

TOE GRIPS

Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips are natural rubber cylinders that slide onto a dog’s weight-bearing toenails, adhere by friction, and create the GripZone. ToeGrips create contact with the ground at the GripZone, just behind the bottom of the nail tip. The nonslip material grips the floor in a way your dog’s hard toenails cannot. ToeGrips provide instant traction for dogs on hard-surface floors and stairs, such as wood, tile, linoleum, marble, etc. Here's Ginger showing off her ToeGrips, which we initially purchased because she was beginning to struggle getting up in our kitchen, which has tile floors. Her front legs would slip several times while trying to lift herself up, so she needed a little assistance. We have rugs and runners on most of our floors (which helps quite a bit) but she often likes to lie on the tile floor since it's cooler. So we put on her ToeGrips and noticed an immediate difference when she tried to get herself up. Her effort was at least cut in half if not more. Initially we couldn’t tell if they provided much traction when she walked on the slick surfaces. Then, one time when we took off her old ToeGrips (to replace them with new ones) she slipped on our kitchen floor. It became apparent that Ginger had become quite confident with her ToeGrips, so she was taking turns more aggressively. This particular time she did not know her ToeGrips were off and down she went. To learn more about Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips, visit their website www.toegrips.com.

SOLVIT RAMP

We used a Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp for assisting Ginger in and out of our SUV, sometimes along with her GingerLead harness. The impact of jumping out of the vehicle was too stressful on her joints, plus she was becoming less enthusiatic about jumping into the car, so the ramp was a great asset. We trained her on a flat surface, and then up a step or two, before trying it out with the truck, which was fairly steep. She took to it quickly with plenty of positive reinforcement, and we used it for years.

SUPPLEMENTS

There are various supplements that are used today to help dogs that are suffering from arthritis. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new supplements to ensure proper dosage. We had Ginger on Glucosamine/Chondroitin since her first surgery at 6 months old for hip dysplasia. Glucosamine/Chondroitin is known for reducing pain and inflamation and can actually restore joint damage. It worked great for years, but after Ginger began struggling when she was 10, our orthopedic surgeon recommended we upgrade to Dasuquin. She also gets Fish Oil pills, which is a natural anti inflammatory. Ginger also gets a fruit and vegetable antioxident stew that includes: pumpkin, broccoli, shiitake mushrooms, strawberries, blueberries, carrots and green beans. We started this when her littermate Wilson had adenocarcinoma in his nose, and have continued it for Ginger to keep her as healthy as we can for as long as we can. IMPORTANT We are not veterinarians. This information is provided based on our own experiences. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog’s particular condition and treatment options. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Ginger and her ToeGrips for Stability on Slick Floors Ginger getting some chiropractic adjustments from Dr. Andi Ginger getting acupuncture at Park Animal Hospital & Wellness Center Ginger getting laser therapy during her rehabilitation visit at CRCG Ginger getting hydrotherapy in the underwater treadmill during her rehabilitation visit at CRCG Our Sweet Old Ginger and Inspiration for the GingerLead Lift Harness Adjusting Adjusting Putting on Sling Putting on Sling Getting Started Getting Started Stay on Straps Stay on Straps Washing Washing Arthritis Surgery Surgery FAQs FAQs
GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Slings Harness
Tips to Help Aging Dogs with Arthritis & Mobility Loss January 2, 2015 Ginger, our Golden Retriever and the inspiration for the GingerLead Dog Support Harness, began showing signs of arthritis shortly after she turned 10 years old. She had reconstructive hip surgery at 6 months old due to severe hip dysplasia (see Ginger’s Story), so we knew it was only a matter of time before arthritis could become an issue. Surprisingly, the surgically repaired hip has not been an issue. It’s the other leg she was often limping on. She also began to struggle to lift herself off the floor, particularly our tile or wood floors. Even with rest, it seemed to be getting worse. So we brought Ginger back to her orthopedic surgeon, and he confirmed that she was suffering from arthritis in her left hip. Over the last year and a half, we have experimented with various supplements and therapies in an effort to keep Ginger strong. Not only is she limping less, she’s actually gotten stronger and now plays with her little brother Jake daily. We’ve listed all the various therapies and supplements we’ve found to be helpful to keep our sweet Ginger healthy and happy.

DIET

Overweight or obese dogs have additional stress on their aging joints that can cause mobility to deteriorate at a more rapid pace than a dog that maintains a healthy weight. Fatty treats can be easily replaced with carrots and kale. Our dogs can’t get enough of these healthy treats. Fat free yogurt frozen in a Kong makes for a great treat for dogs with activity restrictions and provides great mental stimulation.

EXERCISE

Studies show that aging dogs that get regular exercise can actually help reduce the pain caused by arthritis and often improves mobility as well as quality of life. One of the worst things for a dog struggling with arthritis besides obesity is atrophy, which is caused by lack of muscle movement. For dogs already unsteady on their feet, the GingerLead can help rehabilitate their legs by providing balance or support while you walk them. Even short walks around the block or to fetch the mail can help your dog not only physically, but also keep their spirits up. Click here for testimonials about the GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harness.

LASER THERAPY

Laser is a non-invasive therapy that uses light to stimulate a targeted area. It’s great to reduce pain and inflammation in your dog’s arthritic knees, hips or back. We’ve always heard success stories with laser therapy so it was the first professional therapy we tried. After only 2 sessions (which included laser therapy and some time in the underwater treadmill) at CRCG / Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group, Ginger showed improvement. She was limping less and even started to run some, and was clearly in less pain. So we completed 5 session in 5 weeks and then continued her therapy once per month for “maintenance”.

HYDROTHERAPY / CANINE PHYSICAL THERAPY

Hydrotherapy is another great activity for dogs suffering from arthritis or other debilitating conditions. Swimming is great exercise for dogs since it’s low impact on their joints and the water provides resistance creating a good workout. Use of an underwater treadmill at a rehabilitation clinic can be very beneficial for building up strength and endurance. Ginger gets her underwater treadmill along with her laser therapy at Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group in Denver and we couldn’t be more pleased. Ginger loves the attention and her little brother Jake gets to swim in their recreational pool. We also do some exercises at home that they taught us at physical therapy. Ginger’s been going for physical therapy for a year and a half now, and she continues to get stronger. She gets much more exercise now, is more playful and limps less frequently. We do need to leave her GingerLead near the stairs for the days she overdoes it.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture uses needles inserted at specific points along a dog to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation. We’ve also heard good experiences with acupuncture, so we considered adding another therapy to Ginger’s routine. We visited our veterinarian Dr. Chris Spears at Park Animal Hospital & Wellness Center to give it a try. Ginger, who’s always been a high energy dog, was surprising calm through most of it. She was already doing pretty well with her mobility, so we were unable to determine if there was any improvement. However, we did notice that the acupuncture seemed to improve her overall well-being. She just seemed happier, so we started going once a month, alternating with the laser & hydrotherapy. After a few months, Dr. Chris thought it would be a good idea for Ginger to get some chiropractic treatment.

CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY

Chiropractic therapy is intended to restore a dog's range of motion with slight adjustments. It’s known to alleviate pain and strengthen joints. We were reluctant to bring Ginger to a chiropractor. She always had a unique gait after her hip surgery and it never seemed to slow her down, so we had some reservations. After talking it over with several resources, we decided to give it a try. Ginger got to visit with Dr. Andi Harper at Harper’s Ridge Animal Care who was highly recommended. She didn’t seem to mind the adjustments and after a couple of visits, her posture was improved and she appeared to be walking more comfortably. So now she sees Dr. Andi every other month. Today, Ginger gets a “spa” day every 2 weeks. She gets laser and physical therapy once a month, acupuncture every other month and chiropractic treatment every other month. We couldn’t be happier with how well she’s doing.

TOE GRIPS

Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips are natural rubber cylinders that slide onto a dog’s weight-bearing toenails, adhere by friction, and create the GripZone. ToeGrips create contact with the ground at the GripZone, just behind the bottom of the nail tip. The nonslip material grips the floor in a way your dog’s hard toenails cannot. ToeGrips provide instant traction for dogs on hard-surface floors and stairs, such as wood, tile, linoleum, marble, etc. Here's Ginger showing off her ToeGrips, which we initially purchased because she was beginning to struggle getting up in our kitchen, which has tile floors. Her front legs would slip several times while trying to lift herself up, so she needed a little assistance. We have rugs and runners on most of our floors (which helps quite a bit) but she often likes to lie on the tile floor since it's cooler. So we put on her ToeGrips and noticed an immediate difference when she tried to get herself up. Her effort was at least cut in half if not more. Initially we couldn’t tell if they provided much traction when she walked on the slick surfaces. Then, one time when we took off her old ToeGrips (to replace them with new ones) she slipped on our kitchen floor. It became apparent that Ginger had become quite confident with her ToeGrips, so she was taking turns more aggressively. This particular time she did not know her ToeGrips were off and down she went. To learn more about Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips, visit their website www.toegrips.com.

SOLVIT RAMP

We used a Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp for assisting Ginger in and out of our SUV, sometimes along with her GingerLead harness. The impact of jumping out of the vehicle was too stressful on her joints, plus she was becoming less enthusiatic about jumping into the car, so the ramp was a great asset. We trained her on a flat surface, and then up a step or two, before trying it out with the truck, which was fairly steep. She took to it quickly with plenty of positive reinforcement, and we used it for years.

SUPPLEMENTS

There are various supplements that are used today to help dogs that are suffering from arthritis. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new supplements to ensure proper dosage. We had Ginger on Glucosamine/Chondroitin since her first surgery at 6 months old for hip dysplasia. Glucosamine/Chondroitin is known for reducing pain and inflamation and can actually restore joint damage. It worked great for years, but after Ginger began struggling when she was 10, our orthopedic surgeon recommended we upgrade to Dasuquin. She also gets Fish Oil pills, which is a natural anti inflammatory. Ginger also gets a fruit and vegetable antioxident stew that includes: pumpkin, broccoli, shiitake mushrooms, strawberries, blueberries, carrots and green beans. We started this when her littermate Wilson had adenocarcinoma in his nose, and have continued it for Ginger to keep her as healthy as we can for as long as we can. IMPORTANT We are not veterinarians. This information is provided based on our own experiences. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog’s particular condition and treatment options. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Our Sweet Old Ginger and Inspiration for the GingerLead Ginger getting laser therapy during her rehabilitation visit at CRCG Ginger getting hydrotherapy in the underwater treadmill during her rehabilitation visit at CRCG Ginger getting acupuncture at Park Animal Hospital & Wellness Center Ginger getting some chiropractic adjustments from Dr. Andi Ginger and her ToeGrips

Instructions & Helpful Tips

Adjusting Putting On Getting Started Stay on Straps Washing Arthritis FAQs Surgery
GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Slings Harness
Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harnesses