Labrador Hip Dysplasia Treatment
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Archive for March, 2008

Natural & Holistic Treatments for Arthritis & Joint Stiffness

As our labrador age, many will develop arthritis, a common degenerative joint problem. Gradually you may notice that your feline friend no longer jumps up on the counters or furniture as easily. Your dog may hesitate to jump in the car or will climb stairs more slowly. You may notice your companion is stiff upon rising. These are all signs of painful joints. Up to 25–30% of companion animals suffer from osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, slowly progressing condition that is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage surrounding a joint. As this deterioration progresses, the bony structures begin to rub against one another causing pain and discomfort. Hip Dysplasia is a genetic disease that leads to joint deterioration and arthritis. It is more common in large dog breeds. These and other degenerative joint disorders involving cartilage and joint deterioration can be treated quite successfully with a comprehensive treatment program developed for the animal.

There are many ways ways to treat arthritis and joint stiffness or soreness from a “natural” approach. While NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, EtoGesic and others are commonly prescribed for arthritis, I prefer to reserve their use until after all other means have been exhausted and the animal is still showing signs of suffering. NSAIDs can be damaging to the liver and gastrointestinal system when taken over long periods of time and can have other side effects as well. NSAIDs provide pain relief, but do nothing to help repair damaged tissue and prevent further deterioration. Arthritis and joint pain can often be controlled for years using diet, supplements, herbs and acupuncture, and many animals may never need NSAIDs.

One of the best defenses and treatments for arthritis is a high quality Glucosamine/Chrondroitin sulfate supplement. Glucosamine stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), important proteins found in cartilage, and proteoglycans, the water-holding molecules that make up cartilage. Glucosamine has been shown not only to help with pain, but also to rehabilitate damaged cartilage. These nutrient compounds may also have anti-inflammatory activity within the joints. A typical dose would be at least 1000 mgs. per 50 lbs. of body weight daily, but this should be determined for your companion’s specific needs with your veterinarian. I often recommend that dogs be started on a good joint supplement that includes Glucosamine by the time they are 8 or 9 for larger breeds, and 10 or 11 for smaller breeds, even when no symptoms are present. Preventing joint deterioration can go a long way to easing the effects of aging for your companion.

MSM, (Methylsulfonylmethane), is another supplement used in the prevention and treatment of arthritis. MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in every cell of the body, which helps to maintain healthy connective tissue and membrane flexibility. It can assist in reducing inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis and other diseases or injuries.

Diet is a key factor in the treatment of any chronic condition. Feeding your companion a quality diet is the foundation of good health, and this is the most important thing you can do for your dog or cat. Many animals with chronic conditions such as arthritis have shown dramatic improvement on a raw food or home-prepared diet. Some people are not comfortable with feeding raw food. If this is true for you, I recommend a combination of home-prepared cooked meals, a very high quality canned food or dehydrated food, and the best quality kibble you can afford.  If the animal has food or environmental allergies, these must be addressed, as allergies can contribute to inflammation and many degenerative health conditions.

Weight control is of utmost importance. An overweight animal will suffer much more from arthritis pain and the disease process will be accelerated. Gentle exercise is very helpful whether the animal is overweight or not. For dogs the ideal exercise is swimming or using underwater treadmills. Dog “spas” and therapy pools are becoming more common all over the country.

Digestive Enzymes & Probiotics are essential. They aid the digestion and assimilation of the nutrients in cooked and processed foods. Poor digestion and leaky gut exacerbate and contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, allergies and degenerative conditions.  Maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system will go a long way in preventing these complications.

Essential Fatty Acid Supplements (preferably one with fish oil) help reduce inflammation and can be quite helpful in the treatment of joint problems. In addition, essential fatty acids help maintain gastrointestinal health and aid in the treatment of allergies. I often recommend giving a higher dose than recommended on the label. If your companion develops loose stools, reduce the dosage a bit to allow the system to adjust.

There are a variety of herbal remedies and supplements available to address degenerative joint problems, which can be safely used in conjunction with Glucosamine and other nutraceuticals. Keep in mind, however, that response to these or any remedies will vary by individual. It is sometimes necessary to try one at a time until the best option is found (giving the supplement or remedy a minimum of two weeks, and preferably longer, to determine effectiveness):

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by LabLover - March 20, 2008 at 7:15 pm

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Supporting Your Aging Companion – Natural Care for Hips & Joints

Aging is a natural part of life. Rather than being anxious about our companion’s declining abilities, we can be proactive in preventing or delaying the onset of age related disease. Weight management, dental health, joint care, attention to food and a comfortable and well padded bed are of utmost importance in determining how well your companion will age.

We all dread the time when the inevitable signs of aging begin to appear in our companion animals. In supporting your aging dog or cat, however, YOUR attitude and expectations are important. Becoming stressed and upset at each new issue that arises as your companion ages will not help them or you. Aging is a natural part of life, and if we expect it, accept it, and prepare for it, it will be easier on you and your best friend.

Geriatric animals will sleep more, be generally less aware of their surroundings, and are less tolerable of cold than when they were younger. It is common for aging pets to have increasing difficulty hearing and seeing. Older dogs are not able to go for long hikes or run with their guardians as they are accustomed to. It can be quite a dilemma when deciding that it may be time to leave a beloved hiking or running companion at home.

When is your companion considered “geriatric” with Labradors? and other large dogs?

  • Large Dogs – 8-10 years
  • Giant Breed Dogs – 7-8 years

Rather than becoming anxious about our companion’s declining abilities, we can become proactive in preventing or delaying the onset of age- related disease. We can also adjust our interactions with them rather than becoming frustrated by their lack of hearing, poor eyesight or other disabilities. Adjusting our expectations reduces stress for both guardian and companion.

Weight Management is of utmost importance in determining how well your companion will age. Overweight dogs and cats are much more susceptible to a variety of degenerative diseases at an earlier onset, such as joint stiffness and arthritis, diabetes, heart and respiratory problems. While your friend may not be able to play with as much vigor or endurance, or go on those long hikes or runs, exercise is still VERY important to their health.

Joint Stiffness and Arthritis are almost inevitable for our aging companions. You can assist in a variety of ways, such as elevating water & food bowls and providing a comfortable and well padded bed – but one that is not so soft that it is difficult for them to get out of. Create steps or ramps to furniture or other favorite resting places that your cat or dog can no longer reach on their own.

For Joint Care for your Labrador, back legs arthritis, and hip care check out these posts:

http://labradorhipdysplasiatreatment.com/arthrix-review

http://labradorhipdysplasiatreatment.com/doc-ackermans-herbal-hip-builder-formula-review

http://labradorhipdysplasiatreatment.com/duralactin-review

There are a wide variety of supplements to help treat problems in aging companions. It is often quite difficult to know which remedy will work for each companion. The process of trial and error is frequently the only way to determine the best combination for your animal. It is best to use a product for at least two weeks before deciding about its effectiveness (unless of course there are side effects, which means any supplement should be stopped and a veterinarian consulted).

Again, there is no way to know which will work best for your individual dog or cat. Start with one and if you do not see signs of improvement in two to three weeks, then try a different one.

Remember to adjust your expectations and keep stress levels low for your geriatric friend. Lots of attention is still needed even if he or she shows less interest than before. You will notice changes in his or her condition sooner if you are interacting closely on a daily basis. You may find visits to your veterinarian become more frequent as new issues arise during the twilight years. Working along with your veterinarian you can keep your companion as comfortable and healthy as possible as he or she ages.

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by LabLover - March 10, 2008 at 7:12 pm

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