TCM Care Concepts
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that senior dog (8+ years old) joint aging core is 'qi and blood deficiency, tendons and bones losing nourishment', care needs to address three aspects: 'tonify qi and blood, unblock meridians, strengthen tendons and bones'. Dietary therapy can adopt 'medicinal meals twice weekly': Angelica Astragalus stewed beef bone (take 5g angelica, 10g astragalus, 200g beef bone, blanch then stew over low heat for 1 hour, remove oil and salt then take soup to mix with dog food), where angelica can activate blood and unblock collaterals, astragalus can tonify qi and move blood, natural chondroitin in beef bone can nourish joints.
"TCM care concepts focus on holistic regulation, improving senior dog joint health through combination of dietary therapy and exercise." - Pet TCM Doctor
Exercise Program Design
Exercise programs for different joint problems: Senior dogs with hip discomfort, suitable for 'water walking' (water depth to knees, 3 times weekly, 10 minutes each time), using water buoyancy to reduce joint pressure; Dogs with knee problems, can do 'flat ground slow walking' (twice daily, 15 minutes each time), stop when dog slightly pants. Absolutely forbid climbing stairs, jumping on sofa and other actions, such behaviors will accelerate joint wear speed by 5 times.
TCM external therapy can assist in relieving joint pain: use mugwort boiled water (100g mugwort boil 1L water) let cool then wipe joint areas (once daily), mugwort's warming properties can promote local blood circulation; can also wear joint protectors with magnets (choose breathable nylon material), relieve inflammation through magnetic field effects.
Combined TCM and Western Medicine Treatment
If dogs have obvious joint pain (like difficulty getting up, limping when walking), need to combine Western medicine treatment (like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), TCM-Western combination can better improve senior dog quality of life.
Daily care details: dog bed needs 5cm+ memory foam padding (hardness should 'rebound within 5 seconds after pressing'), avoid sleeping directly on floor; winter need to wear warm knee protectors on joint areas (especially short-haired dogs), need to wear full-body warm clothes when going out below 15°C.
Regular Check Recommendations
Do joint examination every 3 months (including palpation and X-rays), monitor joint space changes, achieve early detection and early intervention. Note that medicinal meals need to be done under veterinary guidance, avoid excess causing heat (manifested as increased eye discharge, yellow urine).
Senior dog joint care is a long-term process requiring owner patience and care. Through scientific care methods, can significantly improve senior dog quality of life, let them enjoy their golden years.