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Pain Relief for Arthritis in Dogs

July 13th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Arthritis can strike dogs of any age, size, and physical condition. It’s still a mystery as to what causes arthritis, but many researchers suggest it is an autoimmune disease — a disease that causes the body to turn against its own immune system.

When arthritis strikes, it causes cartilage to break down. Cartilage is the dense connective tissue that protects the joint between bones. In dogs, these areas include the hip, knee, and ankle joints. However, arthritis can occur in other locations such as the feet or spine. As the cartilage wears away the bones rub together, leading to pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Symptoms of arthritis in dogs include:

* Difficulty sitting, standing, or getting up from the floor or bed
* Favoring a limb
* Decreased activity, sleeping more, lack of interest in play
* Weight gain
* Attitude or behavior changes
* Appearing to have stiffness or sore joints
* Swelling around the joints

In recent years, scientists have been studying Glucosamine as a way to treat arthritis in dogs. Glucosamine is a glucose molecule produced naturally in the body. Its job is to fuel cartilage cells to produce the proteins that hold joint tissue together. As dogs age, they are less able to produce glucosamine, which causes the cartilage to wear down and stiffen.

Chondroitin is a cartilage element believed to restrain the enzymes that break down cartilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin are both essential to maintaining healthy joints. Together they protect and rejuvenate the cartilage tissues.

In a clinical trial conducted in 1998, rats were given injections to induce arthritis. They were then divided into two groups. One group received glucosamine and chondroitin, while the other group received no treatment. Only 54 percent of the glucosamine/chondroitin group developed arthritis symptoms, as opposed to 96.5 percent of the untreated group.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements show promise in treating symptoms of secondary arthritis in dogs. This type of arthritis typically occurs after an injury or surgery. A study suggests this combination can significantly reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Last, but not least, studies indicate Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements are a safe and effective supplement to add to your dog’s diet at an early age. However, there are conflicting reports on this topic and it’s best to consult with your veterinarian and determine if this is the best option for you and your dog.