Pets contribute so much to our lives, and in return, we have seen many advances in veterinary medicine in recent years that have enabled us to prolong the lives of our companions. Pets are living longer than ever before. It is now estimated that 30 percent of the pet population in the United States is considered to be "geriatric".

As pets age, the chances of developing osteoarthritis increase. Experts estimate that nearly 30 percent of all dogs have osteoarthritis or degeneration of the joint cartilage. The chronic pain and stiffness associated with the disease is particularly debilitating for large breeds and can lead to decreased mobility, unpredictable and aggressive behavior, or incontinence.

What's really going on to cause this pain in your pet?
The physiological changes that occur in pets are virtually identical to that of the human body. Osteoarthritis is one form of degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritic changes can occur in response to infection or injury of the joint. Essentially, it involves the "breakdown" of the (protective) cartilage that covers or protects the ends of the bones at the joint. There is often a genetic component to the disease and symptoms are often progressive with age. Joint deterioration and changes to the cartilage and bone cause inflammation to the joint. The body responds to inflammation with bony remodeling or arthritis. This process can be slow and gradual with minimal outward symptoms, or more rapidly progressive with significant pain and discomfort.

Treatment involves decreasing the pain and increasing the lubrication of the joint. This treatment slows the progress of arthritis. New treatments introduced over the past decade -- notably nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and more recently, chrondroprotectives such as nutraceuticals -- have proven highly effective in the battle against canine arthritis. When used in combination, the NSAIDs and chrondroprotectives can provide a potent 'one-two punch' that delivers dramatic improvements in aging animals' quality of life.

NSAIDs: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently used to treat orthopedic related pain in animals. Ironically, NSAIDs were originally developed to treat arthritis in humans. But because the drugs had been tested on animals and found to be effective, animal health researchers quickly understood the vital weapon available to fight arthritis in dogs.

New NSAIDs such as the prescription brands Deramaxx©, EtoGesic©, Rimadyl©, and Zubrin© reduce the pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis and allows for significantly improved mobility in many cases with fewer side effects. Non-prescription NSAIDs such as Vetrin© Canine Aspirin, and therapeutic doses of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are also widely used and have been proven to effectively treat pain and inflammation but have undesirable side affects (ulcers, blood thinning).

NSAID administration can be used safely in pets and people. The best approach appears to be the use of these medications on a regular basis, administering the smallest effective dose. Alternatively, homeopathic or herbal supplements can be used in mild cases in place of or in combination with NSAIDs. It is my recommendation to owners of pets with arthritis to administer NSAIDs at a higher dosage only if the pet is having a particularly uncomfortable day. Otherwise long-term relief is afforded by joint supplements containing nutraceuticals.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are both essential to healthy joints. Glucosamine is one of the structural elements found throughout the body, especially in healthy cartilage, where it serves as a building block. Meanwhile, chondroitin sulfate is a "liquid magnet", drawing much needed fluid to the cartilage, where it provides shock adsorption and nutrients for the cartilage tissues. Products such as Cosequin©, Gyco-Flex©, SynoviCre©, and Restor-A-Flex© provide the raw materials the body uses to replenish the major components of the articular cartilage matrix.

COMBINATION NSAIDs & NUTRACEUTICALS: Today, the most commonly used nutraceuticals in pet health care are GLUCOSIMINE & CHRONDROITIN SULFATE. Nutraceuticals are natural substances that can be safely administered without risk of toxicity or side effects. These substances are much safer than traditional "drugs" in that they are considered a form of food or nutrients. After a few weeks to two months of administration, very noticeable improvement in comfort, mobility and attitude have been documented. But, because these substances involve the regeneration of tissues, the benefits of nutraceuticals are not generally seen "right away". With drugs, you would see apparent comfort and improvement almost immediately... but at the expense of undesirable side effects. From dozens of studies worldwide, we now know that many of the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be minimized, or even eliminated, with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates.

In summary, anything you can do to relieve stress on your pet's joints can help ease osteoarthritis pain. Help your pet lose excess weight, avoid repetitive motions (like those involved in agility training), and choose low impact activities, such as walking instead of jogging; these are ways to keep your pet active and pain free in years ahead.

Written by   Dr. Bramlage DVM