Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis is a common condition in dogs, affecting one out of every five canines. It is a painful and debilitating condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. Arthritis in dogs can be due to poor breeding, inadequate nutrition, obesity, or injury. The most common type of arthritis is dogs is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can occur with age if the dog has a genetic predisposition or can be the result of trauma. Osteoarthritis lead to the deterioration of the cartilage in the joint and can sometimes also damage the bone.

Common Treatments and Their Dangers

Because arthritis in dogs is such a prevalent problem, there has, over the last decade, been a fair amount of research on the topic, and as a result, there are several treatments available:

• Corticosteroids. Steroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs. Unfortunately, they usually have unpleasant side effects. Side effects differ between formulations, brands, and dosage, but the most common are an increase in thirst and appetite with a resultant weight gain.
• NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an alternative to steroids. They reduce inflammation and can lessen the pain that comes with arthritis. However, side effects from NSAIDs are common, ranging from mild to severe. Of the more dangerous side effects, complications in the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys occur most frequently.
• Buffered aspirin. Aspirin that?s been especially designed for dogs can provide relief from pain. Regrettably, even this special type of aspirin can cause stomach upset in sensitive dogs.
• DMOADs. Disease- modifying osteoarthritis drugs work by stimulating the growth and repair of cartilage, as well as inhibiting certain enzymes known to be involved in the arthritic breakdown of cartilage. It is administered as course of intramuscular injections and can provide relief for up to six months. Side-effects are usually mild, but some dogs do have an adverse reaction to the drug.

Natural Alternatives

Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of prescription drugs or the many side effects they can cause. Fortunately, there are alternatives. A supplement consisting of glucosamine and chondrotin has been shown to be very effective at both preventing and treating arthritis (especially osteoarthritis), in dogs. Glucosamine is an amino sugar and precursor of many of the building blocks of cartilage. Chondrotin aids in the process of cartilage formation, thereby slowing and even reversing the process of arthritis by making it easier for the damaged cartilage to heal. It also prevents the action of certain enzymes that have been implicated in the breakdown of cartilage.

Glucosamine and chondrotin supplements, if fed throughout the lifetime of a dog, can prevent the onset of arthritis. If your dog already has arthritis, these supplements can help your dog to heal and feel better. They are entirely natural and completely safe.

How to Make Your Dog More Comfortable

There are several steps you can take, beyond medications or supplements, which can help your arthritic dog. Obesity is a contributing factor for several types of arthritis. Extra weight means extra pressure on the joints. If your dog is overweight, put him on a diet.

Moderate exercise, such as walking on a leash or swimming, can also be very good. This works not only as a weight-control measure, but also as an activity that keeps unused muscles from atrophying (a common complication of arthritis as dogs attempt to keep weight off injured joints, resulting in additional pain), and to keep joints limber.

Finally, make sure that anything your dog needs is placed at a good height in a convenient location so that it’s easy to get at. If your house is more than one story, make sure everything dog-related is on the first floor, and put up gates by the stairs to keep your dog from attempting to climb them. Also, eliminate cold drafts near your dog, keep him inside on cold or humid days, and heat his bed with a hot-water bottle.

http://www.discountpetmedicines.com/arthritis-in-dogs/joint-medication.htm
http://www.dogpro.com/arthritis-in-dogs.html
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_nsaid.html

This entry was posted on Friday, December 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm and is filed under Joint Support. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.