Joint Inflamation

 

 

You love your pet, so their pain can be as difficult on you as it is on them. One such common condition that can hurt our furry friends, especially as they age, is joint pain. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are two of the most common types of this condition.

by Jenna Flick

 

OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis tends to be more common in dogs than in cats and is often known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). It’s characterized by the gradual loss of cartilage in the joints and symptoms include swelling, stiffness with pain on movement, an altered gait and possible lameness. Eventually, chronic osteo-arthritis can result in the malformation of the joint, and change in the daily lives of both you and your pet. DJD often occurs after a primary joint condition such as hip dysplasia, however, it can also be a result of wear and tear over the years. Osteoarthritis affects approximately one in five adult dogs and the condition may not make itself known until your pet has had years of abnormal stress. Since the cartilage has no nerve supply, the damage can progress with no outward symptoms until the joint is severely injured and the lubricating fluid has lost its ability to protect the bone surfaces. This will usually occur in older animals, because this degenerative process occurs so insidiously.

There are, however, some early signs that can help you identify joint problems so that treatment can be initiated in the early stages. Is your pooch not wanting to play as much or go for long walks? Perhaps they may be reluctant to jump up on the furniture like they once did. A reduction in activity is a sure sign your pet is not feeling like its usual self. Cold and damp weather conditions will aggravate your pet’s symptoms just as they do with humans. Once the disease settles in, it is often very uncomfortable for the pet and pain medications are often prescribed.

 

HIP DYSPLASIA
In hip dysplasia, there are two problems commonly found.  First, the caput (main bone in the thigh) is not deeply and tightly held in the acetabulum (a concave socket located in the pelvis). Instead of being a snug fit, it is a loose fit. Second, the caput or acetabulum are not smooth and round, but are misshapen, causing abnormal friction as the joint moves.

The defect can be anywhere from mild to severe and often leads to osteoarthritis. 

In its more severe form, hip dysplasia can eventually cause an animal to suffer from painful arthritis or lameness. Many experts believe the cause to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Hip dysplasia appears to be more often associated with dogs, particularly of medium and larger breeds and is most common in German Shepherds, Labrador or Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Mastiffs, but can also occur in some smaller breeds such as Spaniels and occasionally in cats.

To reduce pain, the animal will typically attempt to decrease movement of the affected hip. This may be evidenced in adaptive behaviors such as “bunny hopping,” where both legs move together, or in stiffened movements where running and jumping is reduced. Since there is a diminished range of motion in the hip, the body compensates by adjusting its use of the spine. As a result, however, the dog’s knee joint usually becomes affected and soft tissue problems arise. Symptoms almost always appear by the time the dog is 18 months old.  Although it’s a slow process, your four-legged friend’s body has a great capacity to heal in its continual attempts to repair itself as the joint lays down new cartilage.

 

Lending a Helping Hand
The good news is that you can still lend a hand to your pet by ensuring that they are living a healthy life. Non-surgical interventions include two elements: weight management, which includes a good diet and exercise control, and supplementation. 

 

Weight Control
In the prevention of canine hip dysplasia, many owners use the following practices:
 
By the time your pooch is two-years-old, their bones are fully developed. Breeds that are known to be prone to dysplasia can be kept slightly leaner than normal until this time.  After this point, the animal can be easily brought up to its normal adult weight.  Over-exercising young dogs, whose bones and muscles have not yet fully developed can increase risk of injury and should definitely be avoided.

 

Supplements
There are several key supplements that can bring relief to a suffering pet. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting your pet on any type of supplement to ensure you are selecting the right supplement and giving the proper dosage.

Glucosamine is one such nutrient, and a popular choice for joint inflammation. However, it is important to remember that glucosamine is not a medication – it is a raw material naturally present in the joints and can take 3-4 weeks to start showing effects.

 

Omega-3 Oil is another supplement many find beneficial, for both conditions, and is sourced from flax seeds and fish oils.  Many supplemental fish oils are often comprised of mackerel, herring, sardine, anchovy, cod, and salmon oils. These fish contain high concentrations of the Omega-3 fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation. The active ingredient responsible for reducing inflammation is called EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), so look for fish oil that contains high levels of this substance. The EPA levels should be higher than the DHA levels so check the labels before buying.

 

Fish oil When purchasing this, you often get what you pay for.  Buy from a company that uses European sources (Norwegian is best!) whenever possible. European standards are generally higher regarding the amount of heavy metals and other pollutants allowed in the product. Good fish oil should never smell fishy! If it does, it means that the product has been exposed to oxygen and has become rancid. Always speak with your veterinarian first to establish if this product is right for your pet.

 

MSM has become the latest in anti-inflammatory supplements. It can often be found combined in one product with Glucosamine and other anti-oxidants. MSM breaks down into sulfur, the third most abundant mineral in the body and found in large quantities in joint cartilage. As well, the antioxidants found in these arthritic formulas are designed to promote the healing of existing damaged tissue and help prevent further damage from occurring.

Improving your the quality of your pet’s life is within reach. Your veterinarian is there to help both of you.