Basics Dog Training Home Page
Aging Dog Care
More Articles About
Caring For An Older Dog . Tips,
Questions
And Answers
Dog Nutrition
Feeding Your Dog
Healthy Dog Food
To HelpThem Remain
Active And Live
Longer
Dog
Hemorrhoids
Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Dog
Hemorrhoids
Dog Health Problems
Your
veterinarian is
one of the most important people in your dog's life. You should
choose your veterinarian just as you select your own doctor..
Dog Health Emergencies
During
an emergency or an accident, you can
reduce your dog’s immediate pain.......
Pet Grooming
There are
a number of pet grooming
methods that can be used to groom your dog ....
|
What
is a
Dog's Slipped Disc
Very often a dog will suffer
spinal damage
from degenerative processes. This is usually referred to as "slipped
discs," but they are not really discs at all, and they have not really
slipped. Essentially what has occurred is a loss of resiliency between
the vertebrae, and so-called slipped disc can be the result of an
accident or, more likely, a gradual degenerative progression that shows
itself in one of the body's weakened areas.
A contributory factor could be lack of exercise (a sedentary lifestyle
in which the older dog very frequently indulges). Lack of exercise
decreases blood flow to vital areas, slackening the muscles and
allowing the intervertebral "shock absorbers" to become thinner and
less resilient, thereby leading to possible perforation upon impact.
Diet is also a factor, since the cells that make up the "shock
absorbers" are being starved for nutrients, which impairs their
vitality and regenerative ability.
Whether the origin lies in degeneration from lack of exercise and poor
nutrition, or the slipped disc results from an auto accident or other
acute calamity, rehabilitative factors remain the same. The dog needs
to be put on an optimum diet containing ample amounts of vitamin C and
its complex, the bioflavonoids.
The dog needs to maximize his digestive
potential with the use of enzyme therapy, taken both internally and by
injection at the site of the ailing disc. Raw grated vegetables and
sprouts should be added to the food as sources of additional live
enzymes, vitamins, and minerals in a readily available form.
The herb
comfrey is a most valuable addition to the diet in all bone disorders.
The entire matter of diagnosis, diet, and injection should be discussed
thoroughly with your vet.
Exercise up and down the stairs should be stopped temporarily, as it
will only serve to put more pressure on the already weakened spinal
joint. The dog should remain on level ground, placing newspapers in the
house if necessary, as it can be a toss-up, in severe cases, between
temporary paper training and paralysis.
As the dog begins to rise and
walk on his own, then slow walks on level ground can be encouraged.
When the dog is feeling much stronger, you can slowly reintroduce more
vigorous exercise, including the resumption of climbing stairs.
Slipped discs do not suddenly appear mysteriously, and they will not
subside mysteriously either. If you are taking proper precautions with
diet and exercise, the chances of your older dog suffering slipped
discs are happily minimized.
Should you also take vital precautions and
not allow your dog out without a leash, then you are eliminating the
chances of his getting a slipped disc through his being struck by a
car.
Remember that a slipped disc can lead to paralysis and impairment
of vital motor and excretory functions, and this can most certainly
lead to death.
There are more
information articles on all aspects of basics dog training, dog health
issues, dog grooming and dog nutrition in
John Mailer's article directory
Copyright 2007 http://www.BasicsDogTraining .com
What is a Dog's
Slipped Disc
|
