dogarthritisblog

Cells are the basic building blocks of the body. When the cells are not healthy or are attacked by a bacteria or virus can lead to disease. Dog arthritis is a disease that attacks the cartilage tissue in the joints. In arthritic dogs, chondrocytes (the cells in the cartilage matrix) are not able to cope with the rate of tissue destruction.

So it is important that dog arthritis treatments are concerned with the management of joint pain and inflammation as well as protecting chondrocytes from the damaging effects of the oxidation process. More vets are now recommending the use of potent antioxidants in an effort to protect chondrocytes and promote cartilage repair.

Antioxidants in Dog Arthritis Treatment

Antioxidants are compounds produced by plants or animals that protect their cells from the oxidation process. Free radicals are oxygen atoms that have an odd number of electrons. This can cause dangerous chemical reactions in cells, which can compromise the cell’s DNA. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E prevent these dangerous chemical reactions from occurring.

Although animals are able to produce antioxidants, the best sources are plant antioxidants, called bioflavanoids. These plant antioxidants have been observed to have stronger antioxidant properties than those of vitamins C and E. They also are anti-allergic, anti-microbial and anti-cancer.

In clinical trials, bioflavanoids can reduce inflammation by preventing cell adhesion (a process that leads to inflammation), promote cartilage growth through collagen repair, and maintaining nitric oxide (a type of free radical) in harmless amounts in the body.

Many vets prefer to use Antiox-10. The product contains resveratrol, a type of bioflavanoid found in grapes seed extract. Resveratrol has many benefits. Studies have shown that it prevents growth of cancer cells and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Resveratrol also helps strengthen the bones, prevent tooth decay, as well as protecting the skin from ultraviolet damage.

Antiox-10 for dogs is specifically formulated and is good for the dog’s skin and immune and circulatory systems. A current trend now is for vets to recommend the use of Antiox-10 for the treatment of dog arthritis.

The standard loading dose is two capsules per ten pounds of the dog’s body weight for seven to ten days. Then reduce the dose to one capsule per ten pounds for the maintenance dose.

Dog arthritis is a crippling disease. When the progress of the disease is left unchecked, it can lead to “bone to bone” contact. This can be a very painful for the arthritic dog as there is no longer enough cartilage protecting the bone.

Dog arthritis treatment has two main objectives: (1) pain and inflammation management and (2) joint cartilage rehabilitation. In most treatment plans, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS are used in joint pain and inflammation management.

NSAIDs are a group of drugs that inhibit the action of COX-enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for the body’s inflammatory response; however, they are also necessary for the protective lining of the stomach, blood platelet production and proper blood circulation of the kidneys.

NSAID Alternatives

The use of NSAIDs is the standard practice in the management pain and inflammation caused by dog arthritis. Unfortunately, NSAIDs have side effects that can be dangerous for some dogs. Hence, more vets are now formulating dog arthritis treatment plans that do not solely rely on NSAIDs or other prescription drugs.

Many vets are now stressing the importance of early detection. When dog arthritis is treated in its early stages, there is no need for the use of NSAIDs. Usually treatment plans for early or mild dog arthritis include dietary supplements.

D-Phenylalanine

D-Phenylalanine is an amino acid found plants, bacteria and the milk of mammals. It is an amino acid known to promote the production of endorphins. So, D-Phenylalanine is able to help alleviate pain. Furthermore, D-Phenylalanine can be given at the same time as a painkiller or NSAID. It has even been observed that D-Phenylalanine can strengthen the prescription medication’s beneficial effects. This means the dosage can be lowered.

There now many supplements which contain D-Phenylalanine. Nonetheless, the more trusted brand is Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine. It contains D-Phenylalanine and not L-Phenylalanine, which is an antidepressant. Although Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine is generally safe, it should not be administered to pregnant or lactating dogs to prevent any milk contamination or pregnancy problems. In addition, Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine (or any supplement containing D-Phenylalanine) should be avoided by dogs that have high blood pressure or those being treated with anti-depressants.

Before deciding to purchase Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine, first consult your vet. Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine is actually a product meant for human use; nevertheless, the vet can give instructions for the proper and safe administration of the product.

In the advanced stages of the disease, dog arthritis can severely diminish a dog’s quality of life. Experiencing chronic and acute pain at the same time can render a dog almost completely immobile. Hence, dog owners need to take action to maintain their dog’s health. If you suspect that something is wrong with your dog, don’t hesitate to have your dog examined by a vet.

In my veterinary practice, I created a grading system that will assess the severity of a dog’s arthritis. I find this tool helpful as it helps my clients have a better picture of their dog’s condition and at the same time I use it as a guide in recommending the best possible treatment options. This article will focus on grade 3 dog arthritis.

Grade 3 Dog Arthritis Symptoms and Treatments

X-rays and arthroscopy will reveal the following changes:

· Large bone spurs or osteophytes
· Significant amounts of scar tissue developing around the affected joints
· Very pronounced fissures in the cartilage

Considering the substantial damage in the joints, the dog will be exhibiting severe and very frequent lameness. Joints will be quite inflamed and the dog will be experiencing chronic and acute pain. This will result in behavioral changes. The dog will tend to isolate itself and will become irritable and aggressive. The animal will also become lethargic, which leads to muscle atrophy in the legs.

To address the symptoms of grade 3 dog arthritis the following needs to be utilized:

· Grade 1 and 2 treatments.
· Neuropathic pain medicines (NMDA antagonists). These drugs are used as support therapy alongside prescription painkillers. They work by calming down over active neural pain pathways.
· Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). If your pet is young and healthy and has undergone blood tests that show that the animal can efficiently metabolize the drug, then the use of NSAIDs should be considered. Nevertheless, be very stringent when using the drug.
· Dietary supplements. Helpful supplements for this stage of the disease must contain bioflavanoids and other potent antioxidants (e.g. vitamins A, C, and E; coenzyme Q10; and glutathione). These substances protect chondrocytes (the living cells of the cartilage matrix) from harmful chemical reactions caused by free radicals.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease affecting animals and people living in North America and in Europe. The disease is caused by the Borrelia bacteria. Lyme disease gets its name from Lyme, Connecticut, USA. In 1975, the town experienced an outbreak of the disease. The tick species responsible for transmitting the disease is the deer tick. The most common antibiotic used to treat Lyme disease is doxycycline.

Protecting Your Dog from Lyme Disease

If you live in the in the upper Midwestern states, the Atlantic seaboard or the Pacific coastal states and you observe that your dog is not eating well and is limping, then your dog may be infected with Lyme disease. Other signs that your dog may be sick with Lyme disease include fatigue, fever, enlargement of lymph nodes, and weight shifting lameness (where the dog is lame on one leg one day and then another leg another day).

If you suspect that your dog has Lyme disease, immediately have your dog examined by a vet. A blood test will reveal if your dog has Lyme disease or not, and if your dog is infected, the proper antibiotic will be prescribed. In a matter of two days, your dog’s condition will significantly improve.

Treating the disease in its early stages will prevent the development of complications. Lyme disease is known to cause damage to nervous system and the heart. Also, it can result in kidney failure. Finally, the infection can lead to the early development of dog arthritis, or if the dog already has arthritis, it will exacerbate the dog’s condition.

Lyme disease can be prevented. There are vaccines available to prevent infection and they have been proven to be approximately 80% effective. Also, applying one of the proven veterinary flea and tick preventatives such as Frontline or Advantix, will protect your dog from deer ticks. Finally, avoiding tick-infested environments during the most common periods of tick activity, spring and fall, will also help.