Joint Health in Dogs

任何患有关节炎的人都会告诉你，这是一种令人感到虚弱的病症，绝对会影响你的生活。对于我们毛茸茸朋友来说，也是一样，狗的关节健康是非常重要的。
Anyone who has arthritis in their joints can tell you that it is a debilitating condition that definitely cramps your lifestyle. The same thing goes for our furry friends, joint health in dogs is very important.

关节问题
Joint Problems

对于活跃、好动的狗来说关节健康非常重要。一些特殊品种如像德国牧羊犬、金色猎犬、拉布拉多猎犬，圣伯纳德犬等有关节疾病的基因遗传。这些类型的狗经常患有髋关节发育不良和/或肘发育不良，这两者问题都会引发剧烈疼痛并引起长期跛足。
Joint health is vital to a happy, active dog. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to joint problems, such as larger breeds like German Shepherds, Golden and Labrador retrievers, Saint Bernards and other heavy giant breeds. These types of dogs often suffer from hip dysplasia and/or elbow dysplasia, both of which can be very painful and cause chronic lameness.

髋关节发育不良是髋关节的一种疾病，其中球窝关节出现畸形，使得臼关节及杵关节不能很好结合，导致关节的摩擦、不顺滑。原因有髋关节松动、体重增加过快、肥胖和营养因素等遗传因素，以及缺乏骨盆肌群支持髋部。
Hip Dysplasia is a disease of the hip in which the ball and socket joint is malformed, so that the ball portion and its socket don’t properly meet one another. This results in a joint that rubs and grinds instead of sliding smoothly. Causes are thought to be genetic predisposition for hip looseness, rapid weight gain, obesity, and nutritional factors as well as a lack of pelvic muscle mass to support the hips.

肘发育不良是由细胞、组织或骨骼的异常生长导致的肘关节畸形和变性引起的病症。
Elbow Dysplasia is a condition caused by the abnormal growth of cells, tissue, or bone, which leads to malformation and degeneration of the elbow joint.

髌骨
Patellas

许多小型犬会有髌骨问题（后腿的膝关节）。狗的膝盖骨（髌骨）从大腿骨（股骨）槽中的正常位置脱位。当发生这种情况时，只要动物后腿中的股四头肌肌肉放松并伸长，它才能恢复到正常位置。由于这个原因，大多数有条件的狗都会用几分钟撑住他们的后腿，或者在他们移动时跳跃。
Many smaller breeds suffer from problems with their patellas (knee joints in the back legs). This condition occurs when the dog’s kneecap (patella) is dislocated from its normal position in the groove of the thigh bone (femur). When this happens, it can only be returned to its normal position once the quadriceps muscles in the hind legs of the animal relax and lengthen. For this reason most dogs with the condition will hold up their hind legs for a few minutes or hop as they move.

幼犬
Puppies

如果您正考虑购买一种易患关节毛病的幼犬品种，询问饲养员幼犬的父母是否通过X光片确认过无关节问题。虽然不能百分百保证，但如果父母都被证明已经清除过这些疾病，那幼犬患病的几率更小。所以，值得你去调查一下。
If you are considering purchasing a puppy of a breed or type that is prone to joint problems, ask the breeder if their breeding stock has been cleared of these conditions by x-ray. While it isn’t a guarantee, the odds are better if both parents are certified clear of these diseases, so do your research.

保持关节的健康
Supporting Healthy Joints

如果你有一只可能会患有关节疾病的狗，那么你可以做些事情来帮助你最好的朋友保持关节的健康。If you already have a breed of dog who may be susceptible to joint disease, there are things you can do to help support healthy joints in your best friend.

• 保持健康体重，特别是在骨骼柔软的生长时期。 最好让它的体重轻一些也不要让他超重，这样可以减少关节压力。
  Keep your dog at a healthy weight, especially during the growth stages when bones are still soft. It’s preferable to have your dog a little on the light side than overweight, to reduce the strain on his joints.
• 当您的小狗仍处于成长阶段时，避免长时间剧烈运动。不要让他连续陪你慢跑数公里，尽量不让他从家具上跳下来或上下楼梯次数太多。
  While your puppy is still in the growth stages, avoid strenuous exercise for long periods. No jogging with you for miles on end and try not to let him jump off the furniture or run up and down the stairs too much.
• 拥有足够的肌肉来支撑关节。
  Keep your mature dog in good physical condition, so that he has the muscle mass to support his joints.

补充剂
Supplements

你也可以给狗补充一下营养促进关节健康：
There are supplements you can give your dog to promote joint health:

新西兰绿唇贻贝New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels

这是一种新西兰特产的贻贝。它们有深棕色/绿色的壳，边缘有绿色的嘴唇。绿唇贻贝是软骨素、二十碳五烯酸（EPA）和二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）的天然来源。它们提供独特的ω-3脂肪酸和二十碳四烯酸（ETA），具有强大的抗炎功效。
This is a species of mussels that is indigenous to New Zealand. They are dark brown/green shells with green lips around the edges, thus their name. Green lipped mussels are a natural source of chondroitin, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They provide a unique omega-3 fatty acid, Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), which has potent anti-inflammatory effects.

蛋壳粉Eggshell Meal

蛋壳粉只是简单地将干燥的蛋壳研磨成粉，其是天然的钙源，可促进骨骼强壮。它还含有蛋壳膜，是葡萄糖胺源、软骨素、透明质酸和胶原蛋白的重要来源，有助关节健康。
Eggshell meal is simply dried, ground eggshell and provides a natural source of calcium to promote strong bones. It also contains eggshell membrane, a source of glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and collagen to support joint health.

欧米加3 Omega 3

鱼油或磷虾中的Omega 3具有十分显著的抗炎功效。
Omega 3 from fish oil or krill meal contain Omega 3’s which are potent anti-inflammatories.

葡萄糖胺和软骨素Glucosamine and Chondroitin

虽然对这些补品的科学性依然不确定，但有些人认为葡萄糖胺和软骨素对于关节健康是有效的。它们是软骨中的组成成分和关节周围的液体。宠物食品原料中的鸡肉粉，是软骨素的重要来源。
While the science on these supplements is still a bit uncertain, some people believe glucosamine and chondroitin to be effective for joint support. They are components in cartilage and the fluid around the joints. Pet food ingredients, such as chicken meal, that contain cartilage are sources of these compounds.

没有任何人敢保证自己的狗不会有关节问题。当然，随着你的宠物年龄增长，他或她多少会经历一些关节僵硬。但保持良好的身体状况，并提供营养补充来帮助他或她面对关节健康问题，是你们一起健康和积极生活的最佳选择。
In the world of joint health there are no guarantees, and certainly as your pet ages it is likely he or she will experience at least some joint stiffness. But keeping your best buddy in good physical condition and offering supplements to support his joint health are your best bet to a long, healthy and active life together.