The Novalia health magazine
Dog health: our guides and advice
Understand what is going on, know when to see the vet and, above all, take action day to day: clear, well-sourced guides for every stage of your dog’s life.
All topics
Nutrition & supplements
Healthy weight, green-lipped mussel, omega-3: what really matters.
6 articles
Complete guide
Arthritis in dogs: symptoms, treatment and how to help your dog every day
Stiff mornings, limping, shorter walks: how to spot arthritis in dogs, the treatments your vet can offer and practical ways to help your dog at home.
Hip dysplasia in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and everyday life
Swaying gait, bunny hopping, struggling to get up: how to spot hip dysplasia in dogs, understand hip scoring, weigh up treatment and manage daily life.
When should you see a vet straight away?
- Your dog will not put any weight on a leg at all, or yelps when it is touched.
- Sudden weakness or paralysis in the back legs, or a wobbly, ‘drunken’ gait.
- A very swollen, hot or misshapen joint, especially after a knock or fall.
- Pain together with lethargy, fever, loss of appetite or difficulty passing urine.
In any of these situations, contact your vet or an out-of-hours emergency vet.
All articles
Anti-inflammatories for dogs with arthritis: what to know before starting treatment
Anti-inflammatories for dogs with arthritis: how NSAIDs and anti-NGF therapy work, checks before treatment, side effects to watch for and mistakes to avoid.
Dog arthritis in cold weather: why winter brings back the stiffness and how to help
Dog arthritis in cold weather: why your dog is stiffer in winter, the signs to watch for and 10 simple steps (coat, bed, walks) to keep your dog comfortable.
TPLO recovery in dogs: a week-by-week guide after cruciate ligament surgery
TPLO recovery in dogs, week by week: rest, rehabilitation, warning signs and getting back to normal walks after cruciate ligament surgery.
Dog limping on back leg: common causes and what to do
Dog limping on back leg, suddenly or after resting? Cruciate ligament, kneecap, hip: the common causes, what to do at home and when to see the vet.
Dog limping on front leg: causes, what to do and when to see the vet
Is your dog limping on a front leg? Toes, wrist, elbow or shoulder: the common causes of a dog limping on front leg, what helps and when to see the vet.
Collagen for dogs: hydrolysed or type II, what does it do for joints?
Collagen for dogs: the difference between hydrolysed and type II (UC-II) collagen, what studies show for joints, amounts studied and practical advice.
Glucosamine for dogs: what does it do and what do the studies say?
Glucosamine for dogs: its role in cartilage, what the studies show, combining it with chondroitin, how long to give it and the precautions worth knowing.
Omega-3 for dogs: benefits, sources and how to choose the right one
Omega-3 for dogs: what studies show for arthritis, EPA and DHA, fish oil or salmon oil, the amounts studied and how to choose a good-quality product.
Arthritis in dogs: symptoms, treatment and how to help your dog every day
Stiff mornings, limping, shorter walks: how to spot arthritis in dogs, the treatments your vet can offer and practical ways to help your dog at home.
Cruciate ligament rupture in dogs: symptoms, surgery or not, and recovery
Dog limping on a back leg? Cruciate ligament rupture in dogs: the signs, whether to operate, TPLO, TTA or lateral suture, and a recovery timeline.
Dog limping: possible causes, what to do and when to see the vet
Is your dog limping but still putting weight on the leg, or not at all? Common causes, what to do straight away and the signs that mean a trip to the vet.
Dog physiotherapy and hydrotherapy: what they do and what to expect
Dog physiotherapy explained: rehab exercises, underwater treadmill, swimming, laser. What it helps, what a session involves, costs and finding a practitioner.
Exercises for dogs with arthritis: 10 gentle routines to do at home
Exercises for dogs with arthritis: 10 gentle routines to do at home, a warm-up, a 7-day plan and the warning signs that mean it’s time to stop a session.
Green-lipped mussel for dogs: benefits, what the science says and how much to give
Green-lipped mussel for dogs (Perna canaliculus): what it contains, what the studies really show, powder or extract, amounts studied and precautions.
Hip dysplasia in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and everyday life
Swaying gait, bunny hopping, struggling to get up: how to spot hip dysplasia in dogs, understand hip scoring, weigh up treatment and manage daily life.
Home adaptations for a senior or arthritic dog: 12 simple ideas
Senior dog slipping on tiles or struggling with the stairs? 12 simple home adaptations: non-slip rugs, ramps, an orthopaedic bed and the right bowls.
IVDD in dogs (slipped disc): warning signs, breeds at risk and treatment
IVDD in dogs: the warning signs, breeds at risk (dachshund, French bulldog), when it’s an emergency, and whether surgery or strict crate rest is best.
Joint supplements for dogs: how to choose the right one (ingredients, labels, how long to wait)
Joint supplements for dogs: which ingredients have the best evidence, how to read the label, pitfalls to avoid and how long to wait before judging.
Large breed puppy joints: how to protect them while your puppy grows
Stairs, exercise, feeding and screening: practical advice to protect your large breed puppy’s joints throughout growth, from 8 weeks to adulthood.
Luxating patella in dogs: grades, symptoms and treatment
Does your dog skip for a few steps, then carry on as normal? Luxating patella in dogs: grades 1 to 4, symptoms, surgery or not, and what helps at home.
Massage for dogs with arthritis: simple techniques, heat and what to avoid
Massage for dogs with arthritis: 6 step-by-step techniques, heat or cold, gentle stretches and the mistakes to avoid so your dog can relax safely.
Old dog struggling to stand up: causes, practical help and solutions
Is your old dog struggling to stand up, especially in the morning? Arthritis, muscle loss, nerve problems: how to help day to day and when to see your vet.
Overweight dog: protect their joints and help them get back to a healthy weight
Overweight dog? Score their body condition from 1 to 9, set a realistic ideal weight and follow a safe plan to slim them down and spare their joints.
Spondylosis in dogs: symptoms, causes and how to support your dog
Spondylosis in dogs: what the bony spurs on the spine are, when they cause pain, what your vet can offer and how to keep your dog’s back comfortable.