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Animal Health > The Treatments of Arthritis in Pets
T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM
Glucosamine
and Chondroitin Sulfate
supplements are fast becoming the
most widely used supplements in dogs'
diets. The reason is this: Arthritis
in dogs is one of the most common
health problems seen by
veterinarians. And quite
unfortunately dog owners and
veterinarians rarely notice the early
warning signs of arthritis in dogs
because these animals have the
character to ignore soreness and
discomfort until the arthritic
changes in the joints have progressed
significantly. Recent widespread
availability of nutraceuticals such
as GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN
SULFATE have proven to be significant
contributors to easing the discomfort
of arthritis in dogs. Plus these
substances actually promote healing
and tissue repair.
TREATMENT OF
ARTHRITIS
Unfortunately, since we cannot
remodel the joint without surgical
intervention, attempts are made to
reduce the inflammation at the nerve
endings so that the dog is at least
comfortable even if range of motion
may be compromised. Very effective
medication such as the steroids
Prednisone, Dexamethasone, and other
corticosteroids will markedly reduce
swelling and inflammation to affected
joints. But there is a downside to
the use of steroids for long term
palliation of arthritis. Intermittent
use may be indicated; long term use
should always be questioned. Long
term corticosteroid use can actually
contribute to additional joint damage
and breakdown. Steroids and NSAIDs do
not promote healing of joint tissues,
whereas the Nutraceuticals described
here can.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Rimadyl
and Etogesic can have noticeable
beneficial effects on the arthritis
patient. These medications, too, have
a down side in some patients and must
be very carefully regulated to avoid
bleeding disorders, gastric ulcers,
and liver and kidney dysfunction. Do
not use NSAIDs without consulting
your veterinarian first!
NUTRACEUTICALS
By their nature, nutriceuticals are
substances that are consumed orally
as an addition to a normal diet.
These substances are much safer than
traditional "drugs" in that
they can be considered a form of food
or nutrient. Toxicity levels are
rarely attainable if they are used in
reasonable amounts. Today, the most
commonly used nutraceutical in pet
health care is GLUCOSAMINE and
CHONDROITIN SULFATE. The reason these
two substances are so widely used is
that in many patients, after a few
weeks to two months of
administration, very noticeable
improvement in comfort, mobility and
attitude are noticed. Because these
substances tend to be incorporated
into regenerating tissues the
benefits of nutraceutical use are not
generally seen "right
away". With drugs, we would see
apparent comfort and improvement
almost immediately... but at the
expense of potential undesirable side
effects. Let's take a look at the
most commonly used nutraceuticals...
GLUCOSAMINE
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring
compound composed of a sugar and an
amino acid and is involved with the
body's production of joint lubricants
and shock absorption necessary to
maintain healthy cartilage and joint
function. It is manufactured in the
body in the joint cartilage and is
one of the major components involved
with the formation of the critical
lubricants and shock absorbers
necessary to maintain and restore
healthy joint performance. Any
degeneration or injury to joint
cartilage can result in the failure
of the joint to produce sufficient
cartilage repair and maintenance
substances. The net result with time
is a wearing down of the joint
cartilage to the point where pain and
swelling can substantially reduce
joint function. This is what is
commonly called degenerative joint
disease (DJD) and Osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine Sulfate
plays a role in other body structures
besides joints. It is involved in the
formation of nails, tendons, skin,
eyes, synovial fluid, bone,
ligaments, heart valves and in mucous
secretions of the digestive,
respiratory and urinary tracts. It is
created in the production of proteins
associated with cellular growth and
structure. Test tube and animal
studies show glucosamine supplements
help increase cartilage production
and reduce inflammation. Absence of
Glucosamine Sulfate in the diet can
result in early aging of cells, loss
of cellular function, susceptibility
to bacterial and fungal infection,
and cell death. Glucosamine Sulfate
is one of the building blocks of the
basic substance of articular
cartilage. Glucosamine Sulfate may
also aid in the rebuilding of damaged
cartilage.
Glucosamine as a
nutritional supplement is extracted
from crab, lobster or shrimp shells.
There are three forms of Glucosamine
so when purchasing it, look for the
Glucosamine Sulfate form because it
seems to be absorbed and utilized the
best. Because dietary supplements are
unregulated, the quality and contents
may vary widely. Be sure to choose a
product sold by a well established
company, and read and understand the
product label ingredient list.
To improve the health of your pets, we recommend
AyurDog
and
AyurCat nutritional supplements from
India Herbs or
Syn-flex
for arthritis.
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