Agility, Working, & Herding Dogs: Injuries

Bouncing Back From Injury With Help from Antioxidants and Omega 3 Fatty Acids

We want our working, herding, and agility dogs to be just like rodeo athletes—rodeo athletes injure themselves and bounce back quickly.

How good are rodeo athletes at bouncing back? Dr. Robert Ferrari, from the University of Alberta's Department of Medicine looked at whiplash injuries and found the average person takes over 70 days to return to work, but rodeo athletes are back working within a month. Researchers say it’s attitude that makes it possible for athletes to heal in half the time it takes the rest of us. Researchers also acknowledged that these athletes are helped by being in peak physical shape. Similar mental and physical traits characterize our working, herding, and agility dogs. We can promote their ability to bounce back from injury by using: rest ice pain control

But don't stop there if the goal is to have your dog heal completely and return to action; supplement with antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids after injuries. Antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids help because physical damage comes from two insults:

• the initial injury
• the immune system’s subsequent release of enzymes in the injured area

Antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids help stop damage caused as the immune system floods the injured area with white blood cells (WBC). Because WBCs are primarily meant to fight infection, they are loaded with enzymes. These enzymes are a blessing when they target bacteria, but they are detrimental when released inside joints because they damage cartilage. Damaged cartilage limits a dog's career because it causes stiff, painful joints.

Antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids help prevent enzyme damage in joints and soft tissue. A good source of Omega 3s for dogs is Be Well. Be Well has antioxidant-rich, decaffeinated green tea and 1000 mg of Omega 3 per serving. Be Well also contains organic flax, organic barley sprouts, molasses (sugar removed), sunflower seeds, beef liver, alfalfa, carrot, fish, oyster, kelp, lecithin, garlic and yucca.

Nordic Natural's Omega-3 Pet is a source of Omega fatty acids from fish oils. This is an ideal supplement for older, and weaker dogs because their organs do not have to convert fatty acids into usable DHA and EPA. Fish is a natural source of preformed DHA and EPA.

In addition to nourishing the body of an injured dog, provide for its mind. Turn the TV to Animal Planet or play soothing CDs. Talk about plans for the future and how long you expect recovery to take. Tell your dog that Dr. Robert Ferrari is going to be impressed by the speed of its recovery, but if it will heal completely now so that it can have a long, successful career.

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians   Date Category Topic 06/02/06  Other  STROKE OR SEIZURE? 05/23/06  Eye Care  AGE PROBLEMS 05/22/06  Ear Care  BONE &JOINT 05/21/06  Urinary Tract/Kidneys  OLD AGE 05/04/06  Eye Care  SLOWING CATARACTS... 03/21/06  Pain/Inflammation  PAIN MEDICATION 02/09/06  Hormonal/Endocrine  ANIPRYL 02/02/06  Bone & Joint Care  HIP DYSPLASIA 01/26/06  Bone & Joint Care  MY SHARPEI/LAB MIX WITH BAD ARTHRITIS IN RIGHT SHOULDER 01/16/06  Other  CANCEROUS LUMP-RETURNING? 01/10/06  Vitamins/Nutritional Supplements  SENIOR VITAMINS 01/06/06  Hormonal/Endocrine  MASS CELL TUMORS/MAST CELL TUMOR 01/01/06  Bone & Joint Care  JOINT PAIN 12/28/05  Other  EUTHANASIA 12/18/05  Pain/Inflammation  SEVERE AUTHRITIS 1 2 »»

 

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