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Oh those
aching bones!
Painful conditions in
your pet that are caused by poor joint structure such as hip dysplasia,
may be genetic, but they can be influenced by poor diet among other
factors. A fresh food diet (many times it is recommended that the diet
be grain free), an exercise program, and other supportive treatments
may help relieve the symptoms. Watch for signs of:
Types of Arthritis
The Arthritis Center lists the following types of Arthritis:
Acute
Traumatic Arthritis generally manifests rapidly as a swelling
and lameness and is almost always a direct result of trauma to the
joints. While this type can never be directly avoided, it is one of the
few types of arthritis that may require immediate surgical intervention
to prevent onset of permanent osteoarthritis.
Auto Immune
Arthritis in pets is also known as rheumatoid arthritis. Your
pet's own immune system attacks the joints and typically affects several
joints at once. The synovial membranes generally will become inflamed
and mobility will lessen. The cause of autoimmune arthritis is generally
unknown.
Degenerative
Joint Disease in pets is generally synonymous with
osteoarthritis. Symptoms include a destruction of parts of the joint,
generally isolated to the cartilage. Pets with this condition may also
experience intermittent inflammation. This condition is one of the most
common types of arthritis in pets.
Hip Dysplasia
in pets is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the hip joints of your
pet. This can sometimes result after an acture injury, but can also
occur due to normal wear and tear or infectious agents. This disease
causes a number of complications. A common misconception is that hip
dysplasia is always an isolated condition. This is not true, it is quite
possible for hip dysplasia to spread to other joints as the disease
progresses.
Hypertrophic
Arthritis in pets has to do with the development of bone spurs.
The best analogy to describe a bone spur would be walking on a tack all
of the time, because the joint is not smoothly moving along but instead
is being poked by growths that are very painful in both humans and
animals. This generally occurs as a result of trauma or osteoarthritis.
Infectious
Arthritis in pets is characterized by lameness and sore joints.
There is always an underlying infectious element to this type of
arthritis. This type of arthritis generally occurs as a result of trauma
and secondary infection to the joint. Antibiotics should be used for
this type of arthritis.
Inflammatory
Arthritis in pets is one of the least common forms of arthritic
conditions in pets. Generally, osteoarthritic conditions occur much more
frequently as they progress over time. Except when infectious agents are
present, the causes of most inflammatory arthritis types is unknown.
Knee Stifle
in pets means they have one or more torn ligaments around the "knee" of
the pet. This destabilizes the joint. In extreme cases, this may result
in dislocation. As the knee joint is constantly subjected to a great
deal of continual strain and pain in this area is generally incredibly
debilitating.
Kneecap
Dislocation in pets is usually caused by
misshapen or malformed leg bones results in a "loose" kneecap that can
move or dislocate out of its natural position. Knee stifle can also
contribute to this condition.
Osteoarthritis in pets is a slowly progressing disease
that occurs due to the breakdown and destruction of your pet's
cartilage. As it gets worse, the bones (now with far less cartilage to
provide shock absorption) begin to grind against one another causing
pain, reduced flexibility, inflammation, and a reduction in mobility.
This is one of the most common types of arthritis in pets and the type
that glucosamine is most suited for.
Osteochondrosis in pets is when the cartilage deteriorates and
causes an osteoarthritic like condition. Joint tissue becomes both
painful and inflamed. It is speculated that there is a genetic component
to this disease but it nutrition may also be a contributing factor.
Shoulder Degeneration in pets is a disease that has
multiple causes. Because the shoulder is more of a sliding joint rather
than a ball and socket, it is less prone to injury but it may still wear
down over time. Infection or injury to the joint may be contributing
factors. This type of arthritis generally affects the gait of the animal
and slows them down.
Rheumatoid
Arthritis in pets is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans.
This type of arthritis results when the body attacks itself or an
infectious agent and becomes confused and attacks one or more joints in
your pet's body. The cause of this type of arthritis is generally
unknown.
Traumatic Arthritis in pets is a catch all term for
arthritis that has manifested as a result of trauma to the joints. This
kind of arthritis is generally acute and is a direct result of some form
of trauma. Osteoarthritis in the effected joints commonly develops over
time as a result of this condition.”
Diet
Feed your pet a human grade pet
diet. A
grain free diet is usually suggested. Don’t allow your dog to get
overweight. Extra weight puts pressure on the joints.
Exercise
Swimming and walking on varied terrains
works the different muscle groups. Don’t over do it, but even just a
short walk
Raise the Pet Bowl
Raising your pet’s dish means they won’t have to bend over and down
to eat.
Supplements
The Arthritis Foundation states in their supplement guide:
“Glucosamine provides the natural building blocks for growth, repair and
maintenance of cartilage. Like chondroitin, it helps cartilage absorb
water and keeps the joint lubricated. Effects may be similar to NSAIDs
for easing OA symptoms but may take twice as long as conventional drugs
to work.
Attention
Humans!: Recent news has reported that the COX2 inhibitor,
Vioxx, has been pulled from the market after a study showed it increases
the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who took it. A COX2
inhibitor is a drug that blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2. Other
studies are coming out saying that other COX2 inhibitors are causing the
same dangerous side effect. Everything we take into our bodies
affects every cell, tissue, organ, system in the entire body. Recently
both Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc., two pharmaceutical giants,
announced that two of their top-selling drugs Celebrex and Vioxx,
respectively, would be pulled from the market. Both companies announced
that studies had shown an increased relative risk for confirmed
cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. Both Celebrex
and Vioxx address COX2 inhibition, or in other words, inflammation.
Natures Sunshine offers a safe way to address the emerging problem of
inflammation and the havoc it wreaks in the body.
Protease Plus
Enzymes are a supplement recommended for pain. If taken on an
empty stomach,
enzymes go through the body breaking down inflammatory products that
cause pain.
Complimentary Products:
Canine Zone Diet
Canine and Feline Agility Supplement
Everflex - Offers the advantages of
glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM in one convenient tablet. Numerous
studies demonstrate glucosamine's effectiveness in protecting connective
tissues and maintaining the integrity and mobility of joints.
Glucosamine helps lubricate joints by replenishing synovial fluid, which
promotes a joint's shock-absorbing properties. The Pet Arthritis Center
states: “Glucosamine and chondroitin work together to improve the health
of joint cartilage. Since joint health depends on the continued health
of this cartilage, this is a very important benefit… Two major building
blocks for cartilage synthesis are Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
Glucosamine is responsible for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and
glycosaminoglycans within the joint. Chondroitin, while being one of the
major gylcosaminoglycans, also acts to inhibit degradative enzymes that
promote the breakdown of cartilage.”
Vitamin E –
Allen Schoen, DVM recommends 400 I.U. of
Vitamin E
Vitamin C –
Allen Schoen, DVM recommends 1000mg
Vitamin C twice a day.
Alfalfa
Yucca
Essential Fatty Acids – Omega 3
Flax Seed Oil
Probiotics
Additional Information:
Dr. Joseph Mercola
Dr. Allen Schoen
Arthritis Message Board
Pet Arthritis Center
The Arthritis Solution for Dogs
Rimadyl In the News
Canine Lameness
Book Suggestions:
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets, May Wulff-Tilford,
ISBN #1-889540-64-1, Pages 266-269
The Nature of Animal Healing, Martin Goldstein, DVM, ISBN
#0-345-43919-8, Pages 186-188
The Arthritis Cure for Pets, By Brian Beale and Brenda Adderly,
ISBN #0-316-08590-1 |
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