Easing arthritis pain | Pet Peeves
I was recently reviewing a question from a client, and I thought a lot of pet owners would like to hear this answer. It concerned an 11-year-old dog with severe arthritis in the spine, hips and shoulders. The pet was currently on carprofen (an NSAID) and tramadol, but was still in a lot of pain. She was wondering if there was anything else she could do for her pet.
The first thing I suggest is changing the diet to Science Diet J/d. J/d stands for “joint diet.” It is full of ingredients that target the joints and aids in reducing inflammation from arthritis. There are so many nutrients in this food that it will replace any glucosamine or chondroitin supplement you can give in a pill. Glucosamine and chondroitin are building blocks for healthy cartilage.
It also has high levels of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) to preserve joint cartilage and help maintain joint function. It has high levels of fish oil that serve as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. If your dog is not on a special diet for any other health concerns, please give this food a try. It can make a big difference in some dogs.
If the pet’s diet cannot be changed for some reason, a joint supplement with chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM can be given instead. Be sure it has the MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) in it. MSM has an anti-inflammatory effect that makes a big difference.
I also would begin Adequan injections. Your veterinarian can get you started on this. Adequan is an injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycans. This is an ingredient that the body uses to make cartilage. It helps promote the formation of healthy cartilage and joint fluid. It also inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage, and it decreases inflammation. Beginning at once a week for the first four to six weeks, injections are reduced to about once every month for maintenance.
These are all natural therapies that can make a difference with arthritis pain, but there is something new on the market. I have mentioned it before, and I probably saved the best for last.
It is called Librela. “Give your dog more days of play” is one of their slogans. It is an injection that can be given once a month. Research shows that arthritic joints release nerve growth factor, something that will cause more inflammation and pain. The Librela acts like an antibody, binding the nerve growth factor and inactivating it. It effectively stops the arthritis pain in its tracks.
If your pet has arthritis — and especially if it has pre-existing illnesses that make it hard to give medicine to — Librela could be the answer for your pet, so talk to your veterinarian today.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Easing arthritis pain | Pet Peeves
