Once the cartilage in the dog’s joints has been damaged it rarely repairs itself completely. The good news is many pets can successfully be made pain free by appropriate use of medication and sensible management to control further damage. Some dogs cope well with severe arthritis leading full and active lives without any veterinary intervention and some dogs require treatment ranging from simple lifestyle changes to complex surgery. If the vet suspects your dog has arthritis it may require treatment on a regular basis for their lifetime. Treatments vary greatly in terms of medication to give your dog the best immediate and long-term solution.
There are three main types of drugs used to successfully treat canine arthritis. The first are cartilage protectors designed to reduce cartilage damage. They may reduce cartilage degeneration and promote repair of joint structures and reduce painful inflammation.
Nutraceuticals are not medicinal products, but food supplements that are designed to support the healthy function in dogs. Commonly used nutraceuticals are joint supplements. These supplements tend to contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which occur naturally in joint cartilage along with natural ingredients like curcumin a component of turmeric a potent antioxidant. Joint supplements can also be given as a treat along with any prescription medicines prescribed by your vet.
The third set is anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. These seem ideal for managing inflammation associated with arthritis, but have significant side effects, resulting in warning against long-term use. In the short term, drugs with the highest impact for analgesic and inflammation are best, but using them either for short or long term may cause serious side effects and secondary arthritis.
A successful plan for the dog requires regular review of the current medication with detailed progress reports from the owner to the vet. Never start any medication or food supplements without consulting the vet. Some interactions between herbal supplements and medications need to be monitored or avoided as it could cause some serious damage to your dogs.
