Arthritis Options For Dogs (And Cats)

Arthritis Options For Dogs (And Cats)

Posted by Allie Pesch on 4/06/10 • Categorized as Gazette Vet •

Gazette Vet by John Andersen, DVM

In older dogs (and cats), arthritis is certainly one of the more common problems that we see. Obesity and genetics are the biggest reasons why, and it is definitely more of a problem in bigger dogs (those over 50 pounds). It is often viewed as just “old yeller getting older”—and although that is basically true, it doesn’t mean it should be ignored. This month’s column is just a brief summary of some treatment options for those who have been wondering what you can do to make that old girl get her spunk back…

Weight Loss: I can’t stress enough how important this is!! And it’s free!!! The majority of dogs and cats we see with significant arthritis are significantly overweight and in all cases, getting these dogs down to a good body condition can drastically improve their symptoms, if not make them seem to disappear altogether. For some reason, this point is not commonly taken—I understand that its easier to say we’re going to give less food and less treats than to actually do it at home when they’re sitting beside the dinner table. Lets face it; we love to spoil our pets. We feel it makes them love us more, and who doesn’t need to be loved a little more! But a little tough love goes a long way.

As I was recently taking my three-year-old on a bike ride, with him riding behind me in his bike seat, I realized how much more difficult it was to bike around our hilly town. And when I then rode by myself, what a difference! Well, there you go—that’s like your 50-pound dog riding with ten extra pounds of fat—a major difference every minute of every day. Discuss with your vet your pet’s dietary needs—and focus on the food—they’re ALWAYS eating too much food and they just need less.

NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs): These are your typical “arthritis medications,” i.e. Ibuprofen and aspirin in people. These are non-sedating pain relievers that work by reducing inflammation and will usually have a dramatic, immediate impact on your pet’s comfort level. But just as in people, there are side effects. The most common (in people as well) is stomach upset and potentially stomach ulceration. These drugs unfortunately reduce the production of some prostaglandins that are important in protecting the stomach lining from stomach acid. For most dogs this isn’t an issue, but for some, it sets them up for developing an irritated stomach lining and potentially a stomach ulcer. Additionally, long-term use can be associated with liver damage and kidney damage as well—but liver damage is uncommon and kidney damage usually occurs only when there is preexisting kidney disease.

Despite these possible side effects, when used with proper dosing and supervision, NSAIDs are generally a safe and very effective way to combat arthritis. Please note: human NSAIDs like Ibuprofen and aspirin are off-limits. Dogs are much more sensitive to the stomach effects of these medications than people and I have seen bleeding stomach ulcers in dogs from just one dose of Ibuprofen. There are several veterinary-approved NSAIDs such as Rimadyl, Metacam, and Previcox—all prescription medications that have shown a good track record over time for being well-tolerated for most dogs for short- and long-term use. But there will always be some dogs who just don’t seem to tolerate them. Let me also state that cats and NSAIDs just don’t mix very well. While it is usually fine to give them one dose for surgery or a painful procedure, NSAIDs are really not a good option for arthritis management in cats because of side effects.

Tramadol: Tramadol is basically a weak opioid (like morphine) that works by a different method than NSAIDs and is generally very safe. It can be a bit sedating, but we have many patients who don’t seem to tolerate NSAIDS who take tramadol several times a day long term and seem perfectly chipper. Tramadol doesn’t seem to be as effective for arthritis as NSAIDs, but is a great second choice.

Glucosamine/Chondroiten: Glucosamine and chondroiten are compounds normally found in our joints and basically function to help repair and give elasticity to cartilage. Taking these orally can significantly improve comfort in arthritic joints. It may not seem to help all patients, but it is safe, generally inexpensive, and always worth a try.

Fish Oil: Recent research continues to confirm that fish oil supplementation (with its omega 3 and 6 fatty acids) is an effective tool in combating arthritis inflammation. Like glucosamine/chondroiten, fish oil is completely safe, cheap and is always worth a try.

There you go—that was a brief summary of the most common arthritis weapons we use. Again, check with your veterinarian for further advice on these—I could’ve written an entire column on each one. I always like to focus on weight loss, and trying non-toxic things like glucosamine/chondroiten and fish oil, and then use NSAIDs as needed, depending on response to the initial therapy and the severity of the arthritis.

But to me, one of the biggest roadblocks to making your arthritic pet more comfortable is just not trying something!

Tagged as: arthritis, cats, dogs, Gazette Vet, John Andersen, pets, veterinary medicine

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Treatment Options for Pets With Arthritis

Treatment Options for Pets With Arthritis

Your lively pet who once jumped on the bed at the first site of food is now slowing down and barely making it up the stairs to get to your bedroom. It is hard to watch our pet’s discomfort and we often feel helpless thinking that there is nothing we can do. In fact, there is a great deal you can do to help your pet, but you first must determine exactly what is wrong.

The following signs are an indication that it is time to go to your veterinarian for an office visit:

• Difficulty or hesitation to sit down or get up
• Difficulty jumping up or reluctance to climb stairs
• Lameness in one or more limb
• Stiffness in the morning that improves as the day progresses
• Subtle signs that the pet may not want to put weight on the limb
• Sensitivity when touched in certain areas

Summarized below are tips to bring back the sprint in your pet’s step!

When you bring your pet for an office visit, your veterinarian will want to do a comprehensive examination and assess your pet’s neurological responses, joint mobility, areas of pain and sensitivity. Your veterinarian may manipulate the limbs to assess your dog’s response and observe the extent to which your pet is able to put weight on the affected limb. Generally an XRAY is taken and additional testing (ultrasound, bloodwork) may be required. It is important that a veterinarian check for all of the pet’s symptoms as there may a variety of conditions contributing to your pet’s discomfort. The following conditions are just a few of the many causes of joint or muscle pain and lameness:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Genetic conditions (e.g. hip dysplasia, osteochondritis)
• Immune mediated (e.g. cancer)
• Infection
• Ligament tear (especially in the knee) or other injury
• Deferred pain from an organ (e.g. kidneys)

As you can see, there may be a lot more than just “old age” contributing to your pet’s pain and it is important to understand the causes so that proper treatment can be determined. Also, many young dogs may show signs of limping or discomfort which could be due to any of the above factors—in other words, a dog does not have to be “old” to suffer from joint or muscle pain.

Depending upon the test results, your veterinarian will advise you on the best course of action. Sometimes surgical repair is the best option. For older pets, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Rimadyl, Metacam or Previcox will help the pet feel more comfortable and increase mobility. These medications should be used judiciously however, as over time, they may impact liver function.

There are many action steps you can take to help relieve your pet’s pain and discomfort.

Weight Management Many times pets with joint and muscle pain are overweight. The excess weight will hasten the development of arthritis by increasing the pressure on the joints. It is important that you work with your veterinarian or nutritionist to give your pet a diet that helps your pet maintain an optimal weight. For some, switching to a raw food diet can be helpful in weight reduction although this may not be the appropriate diet for all pets. If you have had difficulty getting your pet to lose weight, you may want to schedule a consultation with us as we have had lots of success stories with even the toughest cases!

Daily Exercise A short 15 minute walk with your dog each day can do a world of good. For your dog, it is a chance to increase circulation, burn some calories and smell the world around him or her. Walking can reduce pain by stretching muscles and reducing stiffness. If you have a cat, you can take time each day to play with a feather or laser toy to keep them moving. For you, it is a wonderful bonding experience and can be a social time too. Try to plan your day so that you and your pets can benefit!

Diet Pets with joint pain can greatly benefit from Omega 3 fatty acids. These nutrients are called “essential fatty acids” because they must be obtained from the diet and cannot be manufactured in the body. If your pet is experiencing joint pain, please be sure to add these to their diet. Omegas can make quite a difference not only in supporting joint health but giving pets a beautiful, lustrous coat.

Nutritional Supplements There are many wonderful nutritional supplements available for pets that can really help. Be sure to look for a combination formula that contains not only Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, but also key nutrients such as green lipped mussel, collagen (from eggshell membrane) and herbs such as Boswellia and Turmeric. Use a variety of formulas for maximum effectiveness. Some supplements can take time so allow a few weeks to see the real effects.
You can bring the sprint back into your pet’s step by taking action and using these recommendations to help your pet. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.advancedcareforpets.com.

Thank you for being a subscriber to CarePaw. We look forward to continuing to provide you with quality holistic pet care.

Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Prevention and Treatment Options

Photo courtesy of Water4Dogs

If you want to proactively prevent your pet from getting arthritis— or you want to keep your pet’s arthritis from progressing—the following factors are important to consider:

1. 
   Body Condition: To prevent joint disease, it’s critical for your pet to maintain a healthy weight and level of activity. In general, it is advisable maintain a body condition where the ribs are felt, but not seen and where there should be a visible waistline. Your pet’s individual activity requirements are largely based on life stage, breed, and health status.

2. 
   Nutrition: A healthy, well balanced diet is essential to maintaining healthy bones and joints. Additionally, there are even therapeutic diets formulated to help slow down the progression of joint disease. Please contact your local veterinarian to learn whether a therapeutic diet is appropriate for your pet.

2. 
   Supplementation: The following neutraceuticals can aid in the prevention of degenerative joint disease.
   

   —Glucosamine
   —Chondroitin sulfate
   —Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU)
   —Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
   —Fatty acids
   —Collagen

   
   

*Bear in mind, a good joint supplement should contain a combination of some of these ingredients at appropriate therapeutic concentrations. We suggest consulting your veterinarian prior to giving your pet any supplement. The highest quality products are usually available through your local veterinarian.

How do I treat arthritis once my pet has been diagnosed?

Once your dog or a cat begins to show signs of arthritis, it is important to 1) try to manage the pain associated with the condition, and 2) try to slow down the progression of the disease.

Pain associated with arthritis is conventionally treated with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS) and pain medications such as opioid narcotics. While these medications are relatively safe in short courses and are effective against inflammation and its associated pain, they can have long term side effects that are potentially damaging to our pet’s vital organs (specifically, the liver or kidneys). Therefore, it’s important to note that while NSAIDS and pain medications are usually effective and safe for acute flare-ups, they must be used with caution for the long-term management of this progressive disease. It is also important to regularly monitor liver and kidney function with regular blood work while using these medications.

Are there any alternatives to NSAIDs?

1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a very safe and profoundly beneficial tool for the treatment and management of joint disease and arthritis. It works by providing local anti-inflammatory effects at the affected site and by triggering the release of pain-modulating hormones in the brain. Most significantly, there are little to no side effects of acupuncture, especially when used to treat musculoskeletal disorders.

2. Physical Therapy
Other effective alternative therapies for the prevention and management of arthritis include physical therapy, hydrotherapy, swimming, soft-tissue laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and massage therapy. These areas often fall under the classification of rehabilitation and sports medicine, which is becoming more prominent in the veterinary medical field, making many of these techniques more widely practiced and accessible.

3. Integrating Medicine
Ultimately, our goal as pet companions and health care providers is to preserve a pain free, good quality of life for our furry loved ones. Oftentimes, one treatment avenue is not sufficient to achieve a desired outcome. It can require a combination of conventional medicine and alternative therapies to achieve our goal for long-term comfort and well being.

If you would like to learn more about our integrative approach to the treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders, please call Worth Street Veterinary Center at 212- 257-6500. We’d be happy to address your questions.

Jonathan S. Block, DVM

Options for Arthritis in Dogs: Not another article about drugs by Shelley R. Epstein, VMD, CVH

First, could your dog have arthritis?Arthritis can affect dogs of any age.This condition develops typically when the bones of a joint don’t move normally. The smooth lining of the joint, known as the cartilage, starts to wear down, and this is painful. Over time- weeks, months, and years- the body responds by forming new bone that looks like bone spurs on X-rays. The joints may swell, and the nice sticky joint fluid, or synovial fluid, becomes thin and watery, losing its ability to lubricate the joints. The most common locations for arthritis are the knees, hips, and elbows, with the wrists (carpi) and hocks (tarsi) less commonly affected.

Arthritis can develop in the knees secondary to a condition known as “luxating patellas,” which is fancy terminology for the knee cap moving around in the wrong direction- side to side, versus up and down in its designated groove. This condition affects mostly small dogs. People often report that their dog “skips” when on walks- that’s actually the kneecap locking in the wrong position, then moving back into its correct position. 

Arthritis can also develop in the knees after an “ACL” tear. This is a torn ligament in the knee, and it results in the knee being unable to move in its normal hinge motion. The result is the abnormal wear in the cartilage. Even dogs that have had surgical repair of torn ACLs will develop some degree of arthritis in that knee. This can be severe, too. The dog may persistently limp or act stiff in that leg. We see a lot of this condition in Pit Bulls and Labs, especially.

Larger breeds can develop arthritis in the hips secondary to poor formation of the hips known as hip dysplasia. German Shepherds, Labs, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers commonly suffer from this condition, but it can affect any breed. These dogs are slow to rise from lying down, especially after they’ve been lying for a while. Slippery surfaces are particularly difficult for them.

The veterinary pharmaceutical companies have been particularly effective in marketing drug answers for arthritis. The pain is gone within hours and the dogs can run through beautiful fields of grass. At WAH, we reserve these drugs for our cases that don’t respond to any other therapies. Why? It turns out that all of these drugs can have side effects, including potentially fatal ones. If your dog is placed on one of these drugs, it would have to have bloodwork testing every 3 months to make sure the liver and kidneys are still happy. And you would need to keep a very close eye on the stools to make sure there is no evidence of bleeding from the stomach or intestines. (The stools would look dark and tarry, signaling digested blood.)

What are the kinder therapies that we recommend at WAH?

The simplest therapies are joint supplements containing GAGs, which is short for glycosaminoglycans, and which is why we like to shorten that to GAGs. You’ve probably heard of glucosamine and chondroitin. These are GAGs. The green-lipped mussel is also a natural source of GAGs, and VetriScience makes a wonderful supplement from this called Glycoflex Classic. Most dogs find relief and an increase in joint function on this supplement. Some dogs, in more advanced stages of arthritis, require even more joint support, and VetriScience makes levels 1, 2, and 3 for these dogs. By the time you get to the Glycoflex 3, they’ve thrown in just about every nutritional supplement known to help joints, and it seems to work.

For the past year, we’ve also been using Trixsyn, which is a joint supplement made from hyaluronic acid, or “HA,” that is actually made by bacteria. HA is the substance that bathes the joints. This particular supplement, when taken orally, has been shown in studies to go directly to the joints. It seems to work well when Glycoflex doesn’t. This supplement is in an almost-tasteless thick liquid form.

Ozzie: Read his story:http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/site/view/143142_OzziesLaserTestimonial.pml

For the past 3 years, we’ve been offering laser therapy.  We use a Class IV laser, which is the most effective in treating arthritis. The dogs just hang out with the owners while a tech runs a probe over and around the affected joint(s). Depending on the size of the dog, this takes anywhere from 4 minutes (one knee in a small dog) to 16 minutes (2 hips in a large dog). While the laser is stimulating all the good inflammation and squelching the bad inflammation, while the cartilage is being stimulated to heal, and while the nerve pain is going away, the dog’s happy hormones known as endorphins start to flow, making this a great experience all around. The results have been AMAZING.  For more information, visit: http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/site/view/137905_ClassIVLaserTherapy.pml

Acupuncture is another therapy that we have found to be very effective in treating arthritis and the rest of the dog that is sporting the bad joints. We have two veterinarians on staff, Drs. Green and Hanna, who are trained in acupuncture. This usually requires a series of 4 weekly treatments. For more information on acupuncture, visit: http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/services_acupuncture.php

Steve Fries, DC, has been our right arm for many years now. He’s a chiropractor who’s trained for over 1000 hours in animal chiropractic, and who devotes most of his practice to animals. He’s been coming to WAH to adjust our patients for over 10 years.  Most dogs with arthritis develop misalignments (known as subluxations) in their spines secondary to shifting the weight unequally. Some throw out their backs at the time of the trauma that resulted in the ACL tear, for example. Dr. Fries has been absolutely indispensible in our anti-arthritis drive. By realigning the spines and working on the arthritic joints, he’s restored the quality of life to hundreds of our patients. Here’s more on Dr. Fries: http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/veterinarians.php

And finally, the diet. Many dogs find relief from converting to a raw or home-cooked diet. It seems that the less the food is processed, the more anti-inflammatory it is for the dog. We’ll talk about diets for dogs in a later blog. For now, you can visit:http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/info_nutrition.php

Canine arthritis: Symptoms and treatment options for arthritis in dogs

While I’m busy recovering from some back surgery, you have the good fortune of reading posts from some of my favorite doggie bloggers!  Today’s post comes from Dr. Lorie Huston who blogs regularly at Examiner.com.   Please make her feel welcome by posting your wonderful comments.  Be back soon! 

Best wishes,

Dr. Nancy Kay

Canine arthritis is a common and painful disease for affected dogs.

Canine arthritis is also commonly referred to as degenerative joint disease. Arthritis in dogs can have many causes. It may be:

• caused by a congenital deformity in the affected joint, as in hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia


• caused by a previous injury


• caused by aging and the resultant “wear and tear” on the affected joint


• caused by infectious agents, such as Lyme disease


• caused by autoimmune disorders

Symptoms of canine arthritis

Whatever the cause of arthritis, degenerative joint disease in dogs causes pain in the affected joint. Arthritis may affect any joint in the body, including hips, knees, elbows, shoulders, and spines. Arthritis may involve many joints or may affect only one joint.

Symptoms commonly seen with arthritis are related to pain in the affected joint and may include:

• an abnormal gait (i.e. limping or carrying the painful leg)


• stiffness


• difficulty going up and down stairs or climbing into cars, onto furniture, etc.


• difficulty finding a comfortable way to rest or lie


• difficulty rising from a sleeping or seated position


• lack of appetite


• irritability

Treatment of arthritis in dogs

Treatment of arthritis in dogs may involve many different tactics. The immediate objective in treating arthritis is to decrease the pain associated with arthritis, which is often done through the use of pain relief medications. However, there are many other things which may also be recommended to improve the joint health of dogs suffering from arthritis.

Weight control is important for arthritic dogs

For those arthritic dogs which are overweight or obese, weight control should be a top priority. Besides adding additional weight to diseased joints leading to increased pain, fat as a tissue is increasingly being recognized as a secretory organ which produces substances which may in themselves contribute to causing pain. By reducing the weight of an arthritic dog, if appropriate, joint-related pain may become easier to manage.

Pain control for arthritic dogs

There are numerous pain control medications available for dogs with arthritis, including numerous NSAIDS (such as Rimadyl, Etogesic, Deramaxx, Metacam, Previcox and others) as well as medications such as tramadol, gabapentin and amantadine.

Cortisone or steroid products, such as prednisone, prednisolone or dexamethasone, are sometimes used to control the pain associated with arthritis under certain circumstances as well. These medications do have side effects and should be used as directed by the veterinarian. NSAIDs are contra-indicated when these products are being administered.

Nutraceuticals and other medications which may improve joint health

Various dietary supplements have been identified which may help to improve the health of affected joints, thereby easing the symptoms of arthritis. These supplements, also known as nutriceuticals, include:

• glucosamine


• chondroitin


• omega-3 fatty acids


• Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM)

Pet owners should use caution in choosing nutriceuticals for their pets, however and should deal only with reputable drug manufacturers. Nutriceuticals are not regulated as most other pharmaceutical medications are in the United States and there have been many instances of labelling discrepancies with some of these medications.

Adequan is another medication which is often used to help improve the health of an arthritic joint. Adequan is an injectable medication which contains a protective cartilage component known as polysulfated glycosaminoglycan. Adequan has been used with success in relieving pain for some dogs with arthritis and other forms of degenerative joint disease.

Alternative medicine options for relief of arthritis pain in dogs

Acupuncture is being used more commonly to relieve the pain associated with arthritis in dogs and may an alternative in some communities where the services are readily available.

Physical rehabilitation is also becoming more widely used to control chronic pain such as that seen with arthritis as well. Physical therapy may range from modalities such as laser therapy or hydrotherapy to range-of-motion exercises which loosen and strengthen injured muscles, tendons and joints.

Adult stem cell therapy in treating canine arthritis

Stem cell therapy is another treatment option which is showing promise in the treatment of canine arthritis. Adult stem cell therapy has been used for several years as a treatment for muscle, joint and tendon injuries in horses and has more recently become available as a treatment option for dogs with similar injuries or diseases.

Multi-modal treatment approach to treating canine arthritis

In most cases of joint pain and arthritis in dogs, a multi-modal approach which incorporates one or more of the available treatment modalities is advisable. Weight loss for those dogs which are overweight is essential and may in itself provide some pain relief. Nutriceuticals may be used to help improve joint health and provide long-term pain relief. In the shorter term, pain medications or other options, such as acupuncture, may provide more immediate relief from pain. Physical therapy may also be indicated to help keep otherwise unsued muscles strong and healthy.

Dr. Lorie Huston

http://www.examiner.com/pet-health-in-national/canine-arthritis-symptoms-and-treatment-options-for-arthritis-dogs

Lorie Huston currently works as a small animal veterinarian in Providence, dealing primarily with dogs and cats. She has been practicing veterinary medicine since 1986. Lorie is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Information Network. She also does a large amount of work for the Volunteer Services for Animals, a non-profit local group dedicated to helping pet owners and their pets. Lorie has been writing online since 2001. She has published numerous articles to various E-zines and newsletters, as well as providing news material to PRWeb. Currently, she is also writing for Ehow.com and Suite101.com.

_____________________________________________________

Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of  Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, 2009 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, 2009 Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook 

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your favorite online book seller. 

Free Christmas or Chanukah gift wrap with books purchased between now and December 25th (www.speakingforspot.com/purchase.html).

Tags: acupuncture, adequan, canine arthritis, canine arthritis causes, canine arthritis symptoms, chondroitin, Dr. Lorie Huston, examiner.com, glucosamine, methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM), nutriceuticals, omega-3 fatty acids, pain control for arthritic dogs, phyusical rehabilitation, Speaking for Spot, stem cell therapy for canine arthritis, weight control

This entry was posted on December 6, 2010 at 7:10 am and is filed under Canine Symptoms, Dog care tips, Guest Bloggers, Medications, Nutritional supplements for pets, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Supplements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.