So your dog has a been diagnosed with dog arthritis. What do you do now? There are many things that can help in the treatment of arthritis. It is important to know all your options first so that you can make an educated decision about what would be best for your dog. There are 5 categories which to consider: Joint Supplements, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Alternative Therapies, Exercise and Weight Management.
In order to completely understand Joint Supplements you need to first understand the two main categories. They are Chondroprotectants ie. Cartilage Protectors and Natural Anti-inflammatories. As for chondroprotectants there are three main natural ingredients to consider. Glucosamine and chondroitin have for a long time been the forerunners when it comes to joint supplement ingredients. The newest molecule that is gaining tremendous popularity is hyaluronic acid. All of these are what is known as glycosaminoglycans. They are the precursors that are responsible for the formation and repair of healthy cartilage. As a dog get older or due to some traumatic damage the bodies own ability to supply adequate amounts of these ingredients is diminished, therefore it can be extremely beneficial to supply these ingredients via oral supplementation. In addition, it has been found that these compound work together therefore, finding a supplement that incorporates all three can prove to be more effective.
As for natural anti-inflammatories the list can be very long, but here a few that have been researched over the years and proven to be effective. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Cetyl-M (Cetyl Myristoleate) and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, predominately fish oils. Though, recent research has shown incredible results with the oils extracted from the green lipped mussels of new zealand. This oil has been shown to be rich in an omega 3 fatty acid called eicosatetranoic acid or ETA and has proven to be an amazing natural anti-inflammatory when it comes to joint inflammation.
The problem often times is that consumers do not realize that not all joint supplements are created equal. The quality of the ingredients can vary dramatically when it comes to these products. Most of the time, the old saying "you get what you pay for" really is true when it comes to selecting the right supplement. Quality ingredient cost more and therefore the end product usually is more expensive.
There are also an number of pharmaceutical drugs that have been very effective in relieving the discomfort associated with dog arthritis. The most common drugs prescribed by veterinarians are class a drugs called the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This class of drugs though very effective have meet some serious scrutiny due to there potential side effects. Most hospitals will check your dogs blood work initially and then at one week after prescription and then 4 weeks after. In addition to there potential life threatening side effects there is also controversy whether or not these drugs are over prescribed within the veterinary community before more natural and safe options are considered.
Another pharmaceutical drug that has been gaining tremendous popularity has been Adequan. This drug is in a class of drugs called disease modifying agents. Developed in the 70's for race horses, adequan has shown that it can be very effective as one form of arthritis treatment for dogs.
Lastly, there are the true neurologic pain medications such as tramadol and gabapentin which can be a true god send for the more severe cases of dog arthritis. These medicationa often give a debilitated dog a new lease on life by allowing them the comfort to get up and move around and therefore maintain vital muscle.
Alternative therapies have also been gaining tremendous popularity in recent years. Canine rehabilitation ie. dog physical therapy in the last 10 years has quickly become a very accepted treatment option amongst the veterinary community for dogs after surgery and for dogs suffering from arthritis, who have lost joint range of motion and muscle mass. Canine rehabilitation specialists utilize many of the same modalities that human physical therapist use such as electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, cold laser therapy and the very popular underwater treadmill. Acupuncture is another alternative therapy that has proven benefits and gained in popularity. Most recently stem cell therapy has been in the media spotlight.
Once you have established the right oral supplement for your dog and whether you dog needs prescription medication, your focus really needs to turn towards exercise and weight management. The majority of domestic dogs don't get the necessary exercise they need. In addition, the majority of dogs are overweight without the pet owners even knowing that their weight is a problem. It is important to speak with your veterinarian about what the ideal body weight is for your dog and therefore what the proper amount of food per day is ideal. For most pet owners it is shocking to find out how little their dogs daily requirement is. Most of the dog food labels over estimate daily quantities.
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