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The most common medication used for
treating Arthritis in pets is Syn-flex®. There are no side
effects reported with Syn-flex®. Syn-flex® has the composition
containing liquid liquid Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine HCL
along with ten other special ingredients. Syn-flex® is found to
be used for treating hip dysplasia also. Syn-flex® helps in
rebuilding the proteoglycan molecules thereby making the pet to
move around with less pain.
Glucosamine is considered to be the medication with slow
progress in treating osteoarthritis. The major ingredients in
Syn-flex® are 1250 mg Glucosamine HCL and Glucosamine Sulfate,
25 mg Shark Cartilage (20% Chondroitin Sulfate), 8 mg Boswellin,
3 mg Yucca Powder, 5 mg Manganese (Ascorbate), 1 mg Bromelaine,
5 mg Vitamin C, 5 mg Omega 3 Fatty Acid, 1.6 mg Omega 6 Fatty
Acid, 80 IU Vitamin A and 2 IU Vitamin E. This effective
composition helps to cure pain in cartilages and joints.
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Glucosamine is a charged sugar
molecule with a cellular matrix of cartilage. It acts as a shock
absorber in the joints. The main ingredients in Glucosamine are
proteoglycons (large, water-binding molecules made up of
proteins and sugars). Glucosamine generally stimulates the
production of glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s), these are the
important proteins found in the cartilage.
Signs and symptoms of arthritis in
Dogs and Cats
The most common signs and symptoms that occur are:
• Difficulty in walking, climbing, jumping or playing
• Limping
• Difficulty in getting up from the resting position
• Change in personality
• Sensitive to touch
• Severe painful sensation when we touch
• Stiffness of the joints
• Muscle cramps
• Swelling
• Oversleeping
• Having stiff or sore joints
• Weight gain
• Decreased interest to play and other activities
• Being less alert
Arthritis in dogs
Hip dysplasia is the type of Arthritis that occurs commonly in
dogs. This causes inflammation, joint pain, swelling and
stiffness. This disease worsens the condition more and more and
causes disability of the joints. The main factors involved in
developing this disease are genetics, previous injuries,
improper diet, bacterial infection, age and may be due to
obesity. Bacterial infection may take place through blood due to
gum disease. Inflammation in gums makes the bacteria to easily
enter into the blood thereby affecting all the parts of the
body. Bacterial infection may occur in heart valves, liver and
mainly in joints.
Diagnosis and treatment
In general, stiffness will be due to kidney disease, poor
digestion, cramps, liver disease or may be due to diabetes.
Tests will be conducted by giving anesthesia. X-rays will be
taken to examine the joints. Radiographs are taken to evaluate
the position of the joints. X- rays will help to identify the
type of Arthritis and to trace out the damages caused in the
joints. There are many new medications for treating Arthritis in
pets. In addition, blood test will also be done. The medications
used for treating Arthritis in pets are termed as
neutraceuticals and these drugs are available in the form of
Over-the-counter formulations. Some of the commonly available
neutraceuticals are Glucosamine, Glucosamine in combination with
MSM, green lipped mussel, chondriton, zinc sulfate and vitamin
C. There are about 30% chances for the pet to move after taking
these medications. The other medications are Rimadyl, Ectogesic,
Zubrin, and Dermaxx. All these have Cox 2 inhibitors as their
ingredients. These drugs are very helpful in reducing pain and
inflammation. Rimadyl, Ectogesic, Zubrin, and Dermaxx give
better effects than drugs like aspirin, tylenol, advil and
ibuprofen. But the only disadvantage is the side effects caused
by these medications.
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The major side effects are Stomach
upset, liver diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders. The
other treatments include using an anti-oxidants, enzymes, a
neutraceutical called Durlactin (produced from milk enzymes),
anti-inflammatory medications etc. In addition, use of bandages,
wraps, devices are also suggested for treating affected joints.
Pets should be given only the prescribed diet by the
veterinarian. Usage of steroids is also an effective way for
pain relief but there are many side effects associated with
steroids. Another medication called Chiropractors is used to
reduce pain and stiffness. Acupunture is also done to reduce
pain and stiffness. The blood tests will examine Kidney
function. Liver enzymes, Full blood count, Protein
electrophoresis, Calcium level, phosphate level, Electrolytes,
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Antinuclear
factor and Rheumatoid factor. |
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The best
treatment methods include
• Giving healthy diet and exercise for maintaining proper weight
• Giving proper treatment for pain relief
• The common treatment used for treating Arthritis in pets are
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• Over-the-counter drugs with compositions of Glucosamine,
Chondroitin sufate, omega fatty acids are used for relieving pain
and other symptoms
• NSAIDs and Over-the-counter drugs can also be used in combination
to treat Arthritis in dogs
Dogs should not be treated with the medications given to humans as
it may cause serious side effects to them. Arthritis is very common
in dogs than in cats. Deramaxx and Rimadyl are the most common
NSAIDS available in the market. Another drug called Tramadol is also
very effective in controlling Arthritis in dogs. Cats are very
sensitive to NSAIDS so they will be treated with a drug called
Adequan and other pain relievers like Metacam. In some cases,
medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are toxic to dogs.
Physicians may also recommend surgery and pain management programs.
There are certain special medications available for pain relief.
Shark liver oil is sold in the market and is used as an excellent
pain reliever. These are packed in the form of capsules. They
contain pure New Zealand deep sea shark liver oil with a composition
of alkoxyglycerols for developing immune systems, squalene for
avoiding skin problems, squalamine which acts as a antiviral agent
and anti fungal agent. This medication will be taken orally and
helps to acquire good immune power. Many researches have been
conducted on this medication for identifying its capacity to provide
immune power to pets. This is also available in the form of spray.
Doctors normally prescribe one capsule for cats and small dogs per
day and about three capsules for large dogs.
Causes of Arthritis
Arthritis can be caused due to the
following:
• Previous Injuries.
• Repetitive motion.
• Strains.
• Falls.
• Sport and playful activities.
• Overexertion.
• Fractures in the joint.
• Disorders in development.
• Congenital disorders.
• Genital and hormonal disease.
• Due to metabolic disorders.
• Due to degenerative spinal joint disease.
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