Natural Remedies For Treating Arthritis in Dogs

Introduction

Arthritis is one of the most common afflictions for dogs; it affects one in five dogs in the United States. Arthritis is a debilitating condition which causes inflammation and pain in a dog's joints, and usually affects elbows, hips, shoulders, back and neck. It can affect one or more joints and can be present in both young and old dogs alike. Because of their great size and weight large/giant breeds are the most prone to developing arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

The most common symptoms for arthritis in dogs are:

1. Favoring a limb/limping
2. Difficulty sitting or standing
3. Sleeping more or restless sleep
4. Stiff or sore joints
5. Unwilling to get up, run, jump, or climb stairs
6. Weight gain
7. Less interest in play/not alert
8. Irritable, crying or whimpering
9. Lack of appetite

If one or more of these symptoms are present, make an appointment to see your dog's veterinarian. Your dog's veterinarian can perform an arthritis evaluation consisting of a physical exam and x-rays. Additionally, if your vet doesn't suggest it, request a blood panel. The blood panel might detect a disease such as Lyme disease, which has some arthritis-like symptoms.

Natural Therapies

If your dog is suffering from arthritis, first evaluate his weight and diet. Fido's extra pounds are adding to the stress on his joints and many dog foods contain ingredients, which will make the arthritis worse. Start, by cutting back on those table scraps and unnecessary treats and taking a short daily walk. Even just ten minutes a day will shed pounds and improve circulation.

Now let's take a closer look at what you're feeding your dog. Are you feeding a high quality chemical-free food? I recommend Canine Caviar. No matter what you feed your dog make certain it doesn't contain preservatives, food colorings, wheat, corn, or soy products. These ingredients are not good for dogs. Furthermore, avoid feeding your dog grains; grains tend to increase joint inflammation.

While we're on the subject of food, celery is a vegetable that can help with your dog's joints. If you give this a try, you'll probably have to be sneaky. Try using a food processor and chopping it into very small pieces before mixing it with your dog's food.

Over the counter supplements can also help with a dog's arthritis. Studies have shown that glucosamine, chondrotin sulfate and omega three fatty acids are all helpful in treating the symptoms of arthritis. Glucosamin and chondrotin sulfate can be purchased in powdered form and fish oil capsules are a good source of omega three fatty acids.

Non-traditional Therapies

Exercise and Physical therapy have also been shown to alleviate many arthritic symptoms. Swimming is a great exercise for your dog, and it doesn't put a strain on their joints. If you have a small dog you can use a bath tub as a therapy pool, but be vigilant and for safety don't leave your small dog unattended. If your dog isn't fond of water don't force them to swim, regular walks are still a good source of exercise.

Another effective means to combat canine arthritis is acupuncture. Utilized for centuries in Eastern Medicine, acupuncture is starting to become a widely accepted practice in Western Society. It has been shown to dramatically improve a variety of health concerns in dogs. Talk to your veterinarian to learn if acupuncture is right for your pet.

To help maintain joints and connective tissues add a powdered Vitamin C supplement to your dog's food. Not only does Vitamin C maintain joints it will also combat further degradation of joints already plagued by arthritis. Avoid plain ascorbic acid, because it can cause your dog to have an upset stomach, instead use sodium ascorbate. If you notice loose stool after starting a regimen of Vitamin C cut back the dosage.

Dosage recommendations based on breed size.
Small= 500-1000mg
Med-Large= 1000-2000mg
Giant = 2000-4000mg

What to avoid?

Never try to home medicate your dog with medications meant for humans. Certain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be toxic to a dog. If your veterinarian prescribes a prescription medication for your dog strictly follow their dosage suggestion. Remember, that regardless of the treatment option(s) you choose, it could take weeks for any remedy to make a difference. Be diligent and make caring for your dog's arthritis a habit.

How to make your arthritic dog's life better?

There are also several environmental changes you can make to your dog's lifestyle. Here are some things you can do almost immediately to help alleviate arthritis pain. Avoid activities that strain your pet's joints. Purchase or build a dog ramp to assist your pet in getting access to those difficult to reach places like cars/trucks, beds, and stairs. Help to reduce the strain on your dog's neck and back when they eat and drink by raising or purchasing a stand to elevate your dog's food and water dishes.

Keep your dog warm. Cold and damp air aggravates arthritic joints. Purchase a high quality pet bed that will help to keep your dog sleeping warm and comfortable while reducing stiffness, aches, and pains after sleeping. If you usually keep your dog outdoors consider purchasing an insulated dog house or better yet welcome them inside. Even just petting your dog can help your dog to feel better. Be a friend to your best friend.

Osteoarthritis Solutions - 7 Tips To Coping With Arthritis

Coping with arthritis is a massive challenge for several million people every day. Making changes in your daily life can offer new hope when you have been given few treatment options. Finding alternative methods gives you a choice from the selection offered by the medical system, and may help you to avoid the harmful effects of NSAIDs. Following a comprehensive plan is effective and will help.

1. Meeting with Your Physician for an Accurate Diagnosis

Several conditions mimic the symptoms of osteoarthritis and because of this many people misdiagnose their pain, living with a correctable problem for years. Joint pains can come from several different sources, and there are instances where cancer o r a serious joint infection can be the result of chronic pain. It may be necessary to see a specialist physician for an evaluation as they spend more time studying osteoarthritis and therefore have more experience in this field.

2. Improving Your Biomechanics to Reduce Stress on Your Joints

Having a biomechanical evaluation will indicate how you are using your joints, the stress they are subjected to and whether there is something you are doing that may contribute to developing arthritis, or worsen an existing condition. Correcting your alignment or finding potential problem areas can change the way you are using your joints and make a drastic difference to your condition as well as reduce your pain.

3. Eating a Healthy Diet to Support Your Joints

In order to maintain a good standard of health it is extremely important to consume a variety of nutrients that are found in a selection of foods, which will help to reduce inflammation. Foods that are filled with antioxidants and contain bioflavonoid are important. In addition, a healthy diet will help you to maintain a balanced weight thus reducing strain from your joints and making it easier to follow an exercise program.

4. Taking Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is critical for your long term health and is now known to be an important contribution to keeping your joints healthy, as well as nourishing and keeping your cartilage moist. Reducing your exercise can drastically increase your symptoms and create a loss of muscle strength, tone and flexibility. The correct choice of exercise may help to reduce pain and increase mobility. Regular exercise will also help you to maintain a balanced weight.

5. Maintaining Your Ideal Weight

Carrying excess weight places a great deal of stress on your hips and knees, with studies linking excess weight to osteoarthritis, as the increased load can cause cartilage break down. Combining a daily exercise plan with a healthy diet will help you to lose and maintain your ideal weight. It is important to develop a program which is suited to your level of health and fitness.

6. Researching Alternative Treatments

As long term use of chemical medicines, and complicated interaction with other drugs, can cause terrible side effects for patients, more consumers and scientists are turning back to look at traditional and often natural therapies. Fortunately there are many effective, natural alternatives to drugs and surgery that are backed up by breakthrough clinical studies.

7. Maintaining a Positive Attitude

It is very easy to become depressed when experiencing constant pain. However, a positive attitude can make a dramatic difference to your health, with studies showing that negative and positive thoughts affect your immune system and other areas of the body. Getting support from your family and friends or connecting with your community will help you to remain positive. Joining a class designed for your condition will help to motivate you and put you in contact with others who are facing a similar experience.

What Is Cortisone and When Is It Used?

Cortisone is a part of medicines categorized as corticosteroids which is described as medicines that can reduce tumor growths, stimulate appetite for food, and treat skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, inflammation, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, and the accumulation of fluids in the brain. Cortisone is a white crystalline powder that can be naturally formed in the cortex of the adrenal gland but may also be produced synthetically. This substance is insoluble in water, stable in gas, and is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Cortisone is primarily used because of its powerful anti-inflammatory effects in various organs and systems of the body. It is also able to be of great help in improving the body's immune system against many stimuli. All in all, cortisone is used in treating the following conditions:

1. Endocrine disorders-Cortisone, along with hydrocortisone is always the first choice in treating primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiencies, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, non-suppurative thyroiditis, and hypercalcemia which is a condition associated with cancer.

2. Rheumatic disorders-Cortisone is used to prevent the patient from having acute episodes or exacerbation during rheumatic disorders such as: psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute non-specific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, synovitis of osteoarthritis, and epicondylitis.

3. Collagen diseases-Cortisone is used during exacerbation and also as a maintenance medicine in cases such as: systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic carditis, systemic dermatomyositis.

4. Dermatologic conditions-Cortisone is also used in conditions of the skin such as pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), exfoliative dermatitis, mycosis fungoides. severe psoriasis, severe seborrheic dermatitis.

5. Allergic reactions-Cortisone may also be used to control allergic states such as: seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, drug hypersensitivity reactions.

6. Respiratory diseases-Cortisone may also be taken by people with Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means, berylliosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, aspiration pneumonitis.

These conditions, among others are usually prescribed with cortisone, and can be in pills or tablets. This list does not include all conditions where in cortisone might help. It is still best to consult your health care provider before consumption.

It's important to note that cortisone is a drug and therefore can have side effects. These can become especially prevalent when it is used for lengthy periods of time. Risks include constipation, a weakening of blood vessels and a lowering of bone density. It's recommended that you consult a doctor to ensure you are fully informed about the risks.

Are Your CNAs in the Know About Arthritis?

In the United States, arthritis affects more than 46 million people. By the year 2030, as the "baby boomers" get older, this number is expected to climb to 60 million! With numbers like that, it's a safe bet that your nursing assistants provide care to clients with arthritis. But, do your CNAs know that arthritis is not a normal part of aging and what they can do to help clients who suffer from arthritis? Here is some information to help get a discussion going about arthritis at your next CNA inservice meeting.

The Aches & Pains of Arthritis

"Oh, my aching joints!" You've probably heard many of your clients make that complaint. In fact, you may have said it yourself!

Aching joints are one of the main symptoms of arthritis. (This makes sense since the word "arthritis" comes from two Greek words that mean "joint" and "inflammation".) But, did you know that...?

• There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Some forms of the disease are mild and some can be very serious.


• Some types of arthritis affect the whole body-not just the joints.


• Most forms of arthritis are chronic...meaning that there is no cure and they last a lifetime.


• Half of the people over age 65 report symptoms of arthritis.

Isn't Arthritis Just Part of Getting Older?

You might be thinking that arthritis is just a normal part of aging. So, what's the big deal? Shouldn't we all just expect to have aching joints as we get older?

Well...some forms of arthritis do come from wear and tear on the joints. And, the older we get, the more our joints tend to wear down. However, there are a couple of important points to remember about arthritis:

• Nearly two out of every three people with arthritis are younger than age 65.


• Some elderly people never develop arthritis.


• There are many young adults who are diagnosed with arthritis. In fact, over 8 million Americans under the age of 44 have arthritis.


• Some forms of arthritis appear to be caused by viruses, bacteria or genetic defects-rather than by wear and tear on aging joints.


• Most people over 60 show signs of arthritis on their X-rays, but many of them have no symptoms of the disease.

What Causes Arthritis?

The exact causes of arthritis remain a mystery. However, there seems to be three main factors that play a role in the development of arthritis. These include:

Genetic Factors

• There seems to be a genetic link for developing osteoarthritis, especially in the joints of the hands. Some people are born with defective cartilage which tends to break down easily.

Accidents, Injuries & Illness

• Some types of arthritis may be due to bacterial infections.


• People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing some forms of arthritis.


• Accidental injuries-such as a dislocated joint, a bad sprain or a fracture-can lead to arthritis.


• Sports-related injuries can cause arthritis.

Lifestyle

• Poor nutrition may be a factor in the development of arthritis.


• Years of poor posture or lack of exercise can contribute to arthritis.

Because arthritis affects so many people, it's likely that at least half of your clients are affected by the disease. They are forced to learn how to manage their everyday lives while dealing with this painful, chronic condition. So, what's the good news? You can help!

A Dozen Tips for Helping Clients Manage Arthritis

1. Keep in mind that if you hear popping, clicking or banging noises when your clients move their joints, they may have osteoarthritis. And, if you hear a sound like crinkling plastic wrap when they move their joints, they may have rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Remember that some days are better than others for people with arthritis. Don't be surprised if your clients can function pretty well one day and need lots of help the next.

3. Check the fit of your clients' shoes. Remember that people's feet can change size as they age. If shoes are too small, they will put pressure on sensitive joints. If shoes are too large, they put your client at risk for falling.

4. Remind your clients to change position frequently. This includes the position of their jaw, neck, hands, shoulders, arms, hips, legs, back and feet. Encourage them to stretch any area that feels tense or stiff.

5. Keep in mind that people with arthritis may find it easier to climb stairs one at a time, leading with their stronger leg.

6. Remind your clients to use the strongest joint possible to complete a task. For example, rather than open a door with their arthritic hand, they can push it open with a shoulder instead.

7. Encourage your clients with arthritis to sit in chairs with arms so they can push on the arms when getting up.

8. Be sure to balance periods of exercise and activity with periods of rest.

9. Remember that some of your clients may have specially made splints to help keep their joints in the correct position and reduce pain. Your clients may need help putting on and taking off these splints.

10. Remind your clients to use proper posture. This helps prevent additional joint damage. (And, keep in mind that slouching actually requires more energy than sitting up straight!)

11. Encourage your clients to use any self-help devices they may have to help them bathe, dress or eat. If they don't know how to use a particular assistive device, let your supervisor know.

12. Be sure to let your supervisor know if a client has pain, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint.

For a more comprehensive review of arthritis, consider presenting the inservice, Understanding Arthritis to your nursing assistants.

Arthritis Symptoms? How to Choose the Right Treatment for Your Pet

Most dog and cat owners can not stand the thought of seeing their beloved pet in pain. Arthritis in cats and dogs is as prevalent in them as it is in humans with a staggering 1/3 of pets being afflicted. The question is: How can an owner choose the right treatment for their pet?

Any treatment for arthritis must first be given the green light by a veterinarian after proper diagnosis. There are plenty of treatments for arthritis out there, but an owner should be sure if the treatment for arthritis that they have in mind is right for their pet. There are considerations before choosing a treatment for a pet suffering from arthritic joint pain.

Things to consider include:

1. Cost-effectiveness. Money spent on a treatment that works is money well spent. Money spent on a product that works for half the price is just smart. The form of treatment that a pet receives needs to be effective and when possible, more affordable.

2. Easy to administer. Pets hate taking medicine as much as we do. Trying to get pills into them 3 times a day is much easier said than done. Some medications have gone to chewables making dosing easy on the pet and owner but many times I have had to trick my dog into eating a snack with his medication inside. He has now mastered the fine art of extracting a pill from his treat before swallowing. So, if possible, the form of treatment given should be owner and pet friendly.

3. Minimal side effects. As pet owners, the last thing we want to do is give something to our pet that causes more harm than good. A good treatment for arthritis, or for any illness for that matter, should have little to no side effects. Medications prescribed and only available through a vet usually contain a list of side effects that range from mild to severe.

4. Healing. Immediate pain management is desirable, but when possible, the treatment administered to a pet should lead to a more substantial, prolonged healing. Some treatments only block the pain and do nothing about repairing damaged tissue. Some treatments can assist the body in healing itself.

5. Safety. The treatment should not have any ingredient that is harmful to your pet. With all of the pet food product recalls recently, we need to be as certain as possible the product used is safe for ingestion.

One treatment that is getting the nod from more and more veterinarians these days, is a combination of two supplements that are safe and effective. Glucosamine and chondroitin taken in combination, has been found to alleviate pain in those suffering joint disease more effectively than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly referred to as NSAIDs. One such product containing both supplements that has proven itself safe, effective, and affordable goes by the brand name Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine.

Are There Remedies That Can Alleviate Degenerative Osteoarthritis Symptoms?

Degenerative osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis. Here we have accumulated osteoarthritis statistics compiled by various health agencies to help provide a better understanding of how disabling the condition can become and of the importance of early intervention through the use of nutritional supplementation, weight maintenance and regular exercise.

According to the osteoarthritis statistics compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 46 million Americans report being told that they have degenerative osteoarthritis or other conditions affecting the health of the joints. Nearly 19 million adults are disabled because of degenerative osteoarthritis and more than half of all people over the age of 55 have it to some degree. Many think of it as an inevitable part of aging.

Degenerative osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. The American Arthritis foundation reports that 21 million Americans suffer from degenerative osteoarthritis. Higher figures compiled by the CDC include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, fibromyalgia and other joint disorders.

In addition to osteoarthritis statistics, other figures are relevant. 15.4 million American adults are unable or find it very difficult to walk a quarter of a mile. This number is fairly close to the number of people who are disabled by degenerative osteoarthritis.

At one time, it was common for people to reduce their physical activity because of pain in the weight bearing joints (knees and hips), but most health care professionals now recommend that regular physical activity can reduce stiffness and pain. Avoiding high impact sports that put additional stress on the joints is still recommended.

64.7 million American adults are obese, according to figures compiled by the US Department of Health and Human Services. That's nearly one-third of the total population. Another 72 million are overweight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many chronic diseases, including degenerative osteoarthritis. Experts maintain that even a modest weight loss can reduce the pain and improve mobility, particularly in the knees and hips.

Researchers have compiled estimates concerning future rheumatoid and osteoarthritis statistics. The number of American adults who suffer from the all forms of degenerative osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions involving the joints is expected to increase to 67 million by the year 2030, because adults are living longer and the number of people in older age groups is growing.

Other osteoarthritis statistics concern cost of treatment, which is approximately $128 billion per year. This figure too may increase, if Americans do not begin to follow recommendations from the CDC and other health agencies. Lose weight, eat right and get regular exercise. In addition, increased intake of omega 3 fatty acids may prevent or reduce the degradation of the cartilage cushions found in degenerative osteoarthritis.

Research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatories and appear to block the processes that lead to thinning cartilage. If the research is correct, then maybe the osteoarthritis statistics will not increase after all. It may be possible that developing age-related degenerative osteoarthritis is not inevitable after all.

According to the University of Maryland's Medical website:

"Based on laboratory studies....many researchers suggest that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids (and low in omega-6 fatty acids) may benefit people with other inflammatory disorders, including OA [Osteoarthritis]. In fact, several laboratory studies of cartilage-containing cells have found that omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage. Patients also showed increased improvement when fish oil supplements were used...."

The website goes on to state:

"....New Zealand green lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus ), another potential source of omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain, increase grip strength, and enhance walking pace in a small group of people with osteoarthritis."

So if you suffer from degenerative osteoarthritis, you may want to start including a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids like fish oil and New Zealand green lipped mussel.

Arthritic Myth Busters

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which causes a combination of pain, swelling and limited mobility. It is very common - more than one is six adults suffers from some form of arthritis and with the increasing aging of the population, those figures are rising.

There are actually more than one hundred different types of arthritis and therefore it is very important that the type of arthritis you have is correctly diagnosed because successful treatment is dependent upon it. Several types have a known cause, although the majority of types do not. Those with no known cause include all cases of rheumatoid arthritis and the majority of osteoarthritis cases.

Even when the cause is known, it is not known why some people develop arthritis while others with the same risk factors don't. Some people think it's due to the fact they cracked their knuckles as a kid or that their joints are acting up because of damp weather, however, neither of these myths (or many others) have ever been proven in clinical research studies.

Cracking your knuckles

Although you may cause injury to a joint by over enthusiastic knuckle cracking, evidence suggests that doing this has little effect on the health of your joints.

Cold, damp weather

Arthritis sufferers seem to be affected more when the weather is cold and damp, however, this does not mean that weather causes the arthritis, although it does appear to aggravate the symptoms.

Overuse of the joints

Although certain occupations with repetitive manual work and athletes who have had repeated joint injuries may develop degenerative arthritis, there is no rhyme or reason to this theory. If it were due to overuse, then why do marathon runners not appear to be at increased risk?

Medications

There are no medications generally recognized as a cause for arthritis, although there may be a few exceptions. Corticosteroids may cause interruption of the blood supply to the hip bones causing death to the bone, which may result in the development of arthritis. Also, water pills may cause gout but not arthritis. There are some other drugs which may cause bone or joint pain, but they won't cause arthritis. However, there is a rare condition called 'drug induced lupus' which may follow after using certain medications and it is thought that arthritis may develop afterwards.

Infection

As far as we know, most infections will not cause arthritis. There is a very small fraction of infectious causes and these include: bacteria such as Gonorrhea and Staphylococcus; Lyme's disease; some viruses (including occasional cases of Hep B, Hep C or parvovirus).

Vaccinations

Similarly, some vaccinations, including those for Lyme's disease and Rubella are thought to be linked (although very rarely) to the development of arthritis. This connection is unclear though. Fortunately, the majority of people receiving the most common vaccinations never develop arthritis.

Diet

For centuries, there have been theories about which foods are the best to eat to prevent/treat arthritis, however, the types of food we eat are not thought to have a role in the development (or not) of arthritis.

There are some exceptions though. Some people notice that eating certain foods or drinking alcohol, triggers gout attacks. There is also a link between obesity and osteoarthritis, so a diet that helps with weight reduction would obviously be helpful.

In some cases, osteoporosis may be caused by not having sufficient calcium or vitamin D intake. Lack of these vital nutrients will cause the bones to become weak and if a fracture occurs, then arthritis may follow.

Old age

This cannot be seen as a cause, since it doesn't come inevitably with old age.

Stress

Although there may have been cases where people have developed arthritis after going through prolonged periods of stress, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that it causes any specific type of arthritis. Stress can make pain feel worse though.

Any prolonged mental or emotional stress will cause illness in your body.

Bad posture

Despite the myth, slouching will not cause arthritis, however any type of arthritis can affect your posture.

Osteoporosis may cause you to have a stooped posture if the vertebrae collapse and arthritis in your spine may follow, however, the stooped posture does not cause the arthritis. Another example of this is ankylosing spondylitis - a condition in which inflammation of joints in the lower spine leads to a rigid spine. Therefore, poor posture can be seen as a result of arthritis, but is not known to cause it.

In conclusion, with so many different types of arthritis and little understanding of their causes, it is understandable why there are so many myths circulating regarding arthritis. For now it's just a case of 'nobody knows' and there is no known cure. Once you have developed arthritis you may adopt a new diet, move to a warmer climate or opt for some risky treatment, however, you may be very disappointed in the results and find that things are just as bad, if not worse, than before.

The same goes as for every other disease of the body - try to keep your mind and body healthy and active by having a healthy lifestyle and healthy, balanced diet. Also make sure you are getting plenty of Calcium and Vitamin D to keep those bones strong and healthy.