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ARTHRITIS IN DOGS
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Most dogs over the age of seven have some degree of arthritis. There are many things that you can do as a pet owner to alleviate many of the signs.
THE SIGNS
As arthritis is defined as inflammation of the joints, the primary sign is lameness. This may be seen as difficulty rising after laying down, or reluctant to bear full weight on one leg. Some pets have arthritis of their backs, and this is displayed with a hunched abdomen and reluctance to move. In certain pets you can move the affected joint and hear noise called crepitus; this is the new arthritic bone grinding against bone.
THE CAUSE
The most common type of arthritis is degenerative joint disease (DJD). This can be primary, the cause of which is unknown and secondary, following conditions involving joint instability leading to damage of the subchondral bone that line the joints. Some common causes of DJD include hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
Other causes include joint infection, often as the result of bites or injuries or it may follow joint trauma and damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune mediated, erosive, inflammatory condition. Cartilage and bone are eroded within affected joints and the condition can progress to complete joint fixation, (ankylosis). It may affect single joints or multiple joints may be involved (polyarthritis). In certain dog breeds Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) factors can be detected with blood tests. Other types of immune mediated arthritis can be non-erosive, such as arthritis that is associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). SLE is often accompanied by other clinical signs in addition to the arthritis. Infective or septic arthritis can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Septic arthritis normally only affects a single joint and the condition results in swelling, fever, heat and pain in the joint. Before long your pet is likely to stop eating and become depressed.
THE SOLUTIONS
IT'S IN THE CARTILAGE. GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE is the most important supplement to add to your pet's diet. The dose is 1/4 of a 500mg tablet once daily per 10 lbs of body weight. It helps to rebuild the cartilage and delay further cartilage breakdown. It can come in a variety of combinations. An effective one I have used is called K-9 MX which contains: Elk Velvet Antler, Collagen Type II, Hyaluronic Acid, Neutrophils, Pantocrine, Alkaline Phosphates, Bone Morphogenetic, Glucosamine Sulphate, Herparan Sulphate, Keratan Sulphate, Dermatan Sulphate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulphate, Uronic Acid, Boswellia, Serrata, White Willow Bark, Yucca Root, Devil's Claw, Sarsaparilla, Feverfew, L-Proline, Bromelain, Omega 3-6 Fatty Acids, All Essential Amino Acids, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Zinc. Other supplements such as Glyco-Flex, contain green lipped mussel, which is similar to glucosamine. Glucosamine can be given in combination with chondroitin as this supplement may improve the effectiveness of glucosamine.
FATTY ACIDS. Omega 3 fatty acids are critical for every arthritic pet. A great source for your dog is ground flax at 1 teaspoon per cup of dog food. A source for your cat is found in commercial liquid supplements, dose according to the bottle directions.
JENNY CRAIG. If your pet is overweight, then get him on a diet. A safe weight loss target is 15% of the body weight in a 6 month period. Any additional weight puts incredible strain on already sore joints. If you are serious about having your pet lose pounds you will see a dramatic improvement. Feed a high-quality, calorie-reduced, or elevated-fiber diet, and stop giving all table scraps and treats.
METHYLSULFONYMETHANE. MSM is a supplement, found in some plants such as Horsetail. It works by reducing inflammation in the joints by acting as an antioxidant. The MSM dosage is 50mg per 10lbs of body weight daily.
KEEP MOVING. Moving the joints produces joint fluid, lubricating them leading to less joint pain. If your pet is at first reluctant to move, manually flex the sore joint for 5 minutes. Gradually increase daily exercise.
HEALING TOUCH. Massage can be a great way to relieve some of the discomfort of arthritis. Using your fingertips, rub firm circles into the muscle. Then progress to using the palm of your hand. Doing this daily will increase blood flow and make your pet less painful.
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Allergies
Arthritis
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