Pharmaceutical corticosteroids mimic natural steroids, but are in a much higher concentration. They are best used for emergency rather than chronic treatment of painful conditions, including arthritis. Because corticosteroids have serious side effects, they require a prescription, and your veterinarian may request periodic blood tests to confirm that the liver remains healthy.
Some veterinarians will recommend supplementing with Denosyl to protect the liver. Some of the top-selling prescription corticosteroids are Prednisone , Prednisolone and Triamcinolone.
Research has proven that pets develop arthritis much more slowly if they receive joint supplements in their youth, and throughout their lives.
Supplements nourish and protect joint cartilage which often helps pets with arthritis experience less pain. Look for supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin which are considered the best joint nutrition available; they help joint cartilage stay moist and lubricated, and stimulate joint cells to make repairs if damage has occurred.
Studies also confirm that glucosamine and chondroitin alleviate stiffness and pain. Because they actually change the joint, it takes months before improvement is obvious. Unlike nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications NSAIDs , they do not cause kidney or liver damage.
Examples of excellent supplements that protect cartilage chondroprotectives include Super Joint Enhancer and Dasuquin. These products help make the joint healthier. We recommend that pets begin receiving condroprotective supplements when they are young to reduce the odds of developing joint damage throughout their lives. Inflammation occurs with arthritis in cats and dogs, and Omega 3 fatty acids are proven to reduce swelling, heat, and pain that characterize inflammation.
Because Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, if your pet is taking them and your pet injures a joint, they may sustain less joint damage than they would have if your pet was not receiving them.
In order to prevent gastric erosion or ulceration, vets will often prescribe medications such as histamine blockers famotidine, cimetidine , proton-pump inhibitors omeprazole or gastrointestinal protectants sucralfate. If ulcer symptoms develop, steroids should be discontinued. All this having been said, many ancient dogs with advanced arthritis can get four to eight weeks of benefit from a long-lasting steroid injection. If none of the above provides sufficient relief, one of the veterinary NSAIDs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might be considered.
While these drugs are highly effective at reducing inflammation and pain, they should not be casually dispensed. I use them on a very limited basis with exceeding caution.
Few drugs are without possible side effects. The potential side effects of veterinary NSAIDs are numerous; they can be severe, and even fatal; their development can be completely unpredictable; and most importantly, they can be irreversible. Unpredictable, irreversible side effects are scary.
Blood work should be done before an NSAID is dispensed to confirm normal liver and kidney function, red blood cell count, and other parameters. The medication should be stopped immediately if symptoms develop. NSAIDs must never be given with aspirin or any form of steroid; doing so can result in death.
And please, do not give your dog over-the-counter pain medicines without consulting your veterinarian! Kathy Davieds, DVM has been a small-animal veterinarian for 25 years. Active in therapy-dog work, rescue and other canine endeavors, she is also founder of the Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support.
If your dog starts showing any of these warning signs, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a full exam and to develop a treatment plan.
Arthritis is not a condition that can be cured, but the symptoms can be greatly reduced through medical management. For most dogs that will mean using multiple modalities of treatment including:. Your vet will be able to help you tailor strategies for your dog taking into consideration age, lifestyle, and any other medical conditions.
Many vets will prescribe medication to keep dogs with arthritis as comfortable as possible. These anti-inflammatory medications are similar to the ibuprofen or aspirin you would find at the local drug store.
But, they are formulated specifically for your pooch. Over-the-counter Advil or Aleve are toxic to dogs and should never be given. These medications are frequently pain medications used in people. Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually multimodal, meaning that several different therapies are used simultaneously in order to achieve the best outcome. These are often prescribed to improve function, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of joint damage. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two common joint supplement ingredients that are used in both humans and dogs.
These supplements work by reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and increasing water retention in the cartilage, which provides more cushioning for the joint. Green-lipped mussel GLM is another proven joint supplement ingredient for both humans and dogs and contains beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans, and antioxidants. GLM is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help decrease pain and preserve joint function. Joint supplements like Glyde Mobility Chews are often used as an early intervention and throughout the progression of osteoarthritis because they are safe for long-term use in most patients.
In addition to the use of joint supplements, pain control is a mainstay of osteoarthritis treatment. NSAIDs can not only reduce pain, but also decrease inflammation in the joints. However, NSAIDs have significant side effects with continued use, particularly in patients with poor liver or kidney function.
Your veterinarian may also recommend other treatment modalities such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, cold laser, and changes in diet. In severe cases, they may recommend surgery to remove damaged tissue from the joint, or even to replace the joint entirely.
In dogs with osteoarthritis, carrying excess weight on damaged joints is not only painful but can also speed up the process of cartilage breakdown. In healthy dogs, obesity can predispose them to earlier development of osteoarthritis, as well as many other diseases.
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