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!Â
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
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 FacebookÂ
Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aidsâ€- 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.Â
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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
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