Dog Arthritis and Pain Relief

 I have a special place in my heart for dogs with special needs so in 2016 I’m excited to start a new focus for Denise’s Dog Dish.  We will dish about dog health and wellness issues including but not limited to dogs with special needs.

I often make a comparison to pet health & human health since my day job is working as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Planned posts include Dog Diabetes, Dog Cushing’s, Dog Nutrition, Dog Allergies and more.  If you have anything in particular you’d like me to “Dish” about please let me know.

Today’s Dish is about, Dog Arthritis.  More specifically Arthritis pain relief for dogs.  Does your dog have arthritis?  What would you give to them some relief with their pain?

Shasta’s Arthritis

In May of 2014 our rescue Shasta was diagnosed with Dog Arthritis.  Since he enjoys hiking and long walks with us I was devastated.

Certain breeds are more prone: Dachshunds, Beagles, Basset Hounds and Shih Tzus, but it can obviously happen to any breed as we think Shasta is a Yorkie/Schnauzer mix.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Symptoms are varied, not all have to be present and some are specific to the area affected.

• An unwillingness to jump
• Lameness
• Crying out in pain
• Not wanting a particular part of their body touched
• Anxious behavior
• Muscle spasms over back or neck
• Hunched back or neck with tense muscles
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced activity level
• Loss of bowel (stool) or bladder (urine) control are a few possible symptoms

Diagnosis can be made by your Veterinarian’s exam, x-rays and with more serious symptoms a CT, MRI, or Myelogram (where dye is injected) also might be recommended.

Dog Arthritis Prevention

You can help to prevent arthritis or improve symptoms:

• Keep your pet’s weight in check
• Walking with a harness to reduce stress on their neck
• Step ramps
• Maintaining a quality diet (we will discuss this further in another post)

Dog Arthritis Treatment

There is no, one size fits all, for treatment.  Some options include:

• Pain medications including anti-inflammatories, opioids like Tramadol and/or medications specific to nerve pain like Gabapentin
• Corticosteroids (short term use is preferred and usually only for acute injuries)

In and of themselves medications are not “bad” but they do/can have unwanted side effects. I’m always looking for alternative therapies. Alternatives include:

• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Doggie massage
• Weight control to help decrease strain on their joints
• Joint supplements
• Upcoming treatments include medical marijuana (CBD) for dogs (we will discuss this further in another post)

If you are finding it difficult to talk to your vet about additional treatment options, it might be time to find another vet. I’ve written about my journey here. Shasta’s arthritis treatment was the catalyst for us looking for a new vet.

Joint supplements have several components. We will discuss each in detail.

GLUCOSAMINE

Glucosamine helps joints by giving nourishment to the cartilage.  Humans and dogs have it naturally but production decreases as we get older. A great article reviewing Glucosamine is found on a favorite web site of mine, The Whole Dog Journal,Using Glucosamine to Prevent Canine Osteoarthritis.

CHONDROITIN

Chondroitin, found naturally in the connective tissues of both people and animals, assists Glucosamine in cushioning the joints. Research is unclear as to whether or not it effectively increases joint mobility.  However, when you look at the potential risks there are very few. Nutrient-drug interactions appears to be the most common.

OMEGA 3 & 6 FATTY ACIDS

Fatty acids are thought to improve inflammation and possibly even slow the progression of joint disease in dogs (iHeartDogs). They are also being researched in humans to see if they improve depression.  They are not without risk. Potential adverse reactions include:

• Altered platelet (blood clotting) function
• Stomach upset like vomiting and diarrhea
• Delayed wound healing
• Altered immune function
• Nutrient-drug interactions

Additional ingredients being researched are Vitamin C, D and E, manganese and more. The cost of supplements can vary and seems to be related to the additional ingredients.

Back in September we joined the GlycoFlex Challenge.  Here is his pre challenge video.

Shasta had already been on a Glucosamine supplement so we just switched him over to GlycoFlex.

Q & A with Sara Phillips (Strategic Brand Manager for FoodScience Corp.)

(Denise) What ingredients are in GlycoFlex?

(Sara) GlycoFlex Plus contains glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Perna, DMG, vitamins C and E and other minerals necessary for joint health. Visit our websites: www.vetriscience.com and www.glycoflex.com to see complete fact panels.

(Denise) How do you choose your ingredients and suppliers?

(Sara) FoodScience Corporation has been in business for over 40 years. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our customers, pets included! We hold many safety and quality certifications: cGMP, NPA, UL, NASC, and we are an FDA registered facility. We pass multiple audits each year. These audits assess our record keeping, documentation and procedures – all of which promotes safety, cleanliness and truth in labeling. This high standard of operations also plays a huge role in the procurement of ingredients. While we do source ingredients from around the globe, we have long-term relationships with our suppliers. All of our ingredients are tested for purity and safety prior to import. All ingredients are also always accompanied by the proper documentation, certifying their purity and accuracy.

(Denise) Has the VLS 110 study (I requested a few of their studies in detail and referenced them by name) been extended beyond 56 days to demonstrate any adverse effects with continued treatment? Or are there other studies that would demonstrate any effects of continued use?

(Sara) No, the VLS 110 study was a 56 day study. However, as founding members of the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) we take any reports of adverse events very seriously. In accordance with the by-laws of the NASC, we record and report all adverse events. Over the life span of the Glyco Flex products, the recorded adverse events are a very small fraction of the units sold. These products have been sold via the vet channel for almost 20 years with an excellent safety record. The vast majority of employees at FoodScience feed their dogs and cats Glyco Flex!

(Denise) What types of Dogs can use GlycoFlex? Are there any restrictions? For example, we have had 2 rescues with special needs (Diabetes & Cushing’s Disease) are there restrictions for a dog with Diabetes, liver or kidney issues?

(Sara) While Glyco Flex is great for dogs and cats of all ages, we strongly recommend that all pet owners consult their veterinarian regarding any special health concerns. In many cases supplements can play an important role in managing health issues. Your vet is the best person to recommend which supplement is right for your particular case.

(Denise) How does GlycoFlex work as an anti- inflammatory and anti oxidant? How do those properties help with Osteoarthritis?

(Sara) GlycoFlex contains Perna, the green-lipped mussel. This ingredient naturally contains 57 key nutrients that play a role in overall health, and joint health in particular. The essential fatty acids found in Perna naturally support the normal inflammatory response found in joint tissue. DMG, an ingredient in Glyco Flex, supports the body’s naturally occurring master antioxidant, glutathione. Glutathione helps combat free radicals found in the body. Glyco Flex also contains the building blocks for joint health: glucosamine, a precursor to the glycosaminoglycans which are a component of cartilage; chondroitin, another major component of cartilage. By supplying these building blocks to the body, Glyco Flex helps the body maintain health, strong joints.

(Denise) What sets GlycoFlex apart from other supplements?

(Sara) Glyco Flex is the only joint supplement with a clinical trial – using actual dogs. Many other supplements have research, but it is typically done in a lab setting. We measured the results of Glyco Flex on real dogs.

(Denise) When choosing a supplement, there are many different dosing amounts? How are your doses selected? What should a consumer be looking for when selecting a dose?

(Sara) There are indeed many different supplements. We recommend discussing joint care with your vet. They can help you decide which joint supplement actually contains meaningful levels of ingredients. Many products claim joint support on their packaging but when you read the ingredients, glucosamine is the last item listed – probably not enough milligrams to make a difference. Talk to your Vet. Try a trusted brand, like Glyco Flex, sold in vet clinics for over 2 decades.

(Denise) Study VLS 220 mentions a 37% decrease in inflammation based on paw size. Can you explain further what that means?

(Sara) The study induced inflammation in the rats’ paws by injecting them with type II collagen, an inflammatory inducing substance. Half of the group were fed Perna in their food. This group of rats showed far less inflammation in their paws. (The level of inflammation was determined by paw size – more swollen paws, more inflammation. Less swollen paws, less inflammation.) The study concluded that feeding Perna was an effective way to reduce the severity of inflammation.

Post GlycoFlex Challenge Video

Results of studies for both humans and pets are inconsistent. However, we have watched a miracle happen with Shasta. After only 3 days on his original supplement we noticed a huge improvement.  That improvement has been maintained with using GlycoFlex. Although he is still stiff at times he is managing stairs, short hikes and walks.  Also, if we forget his supplements his movements become stiff and he stops wanting to use stairs within 2-3 days.

Don’t forget to always talk to your vet so you can discuss risks vs benefits of all treatment options available. I can’t state it strongly enough, if you are not comfortable talking with your vet about your options, it might be time to find another vet.

HELPFUL LINKS (where we got information & you can get more)

GlycoFlex

Pet WebMD Dogs & Arthritis

VetriScience

Whole Dog Journal Using Glucosamine to Prevent Osteoarthritis

iHeartDogs

Do you have any stories about using supplements for your pet or treating your pet’s arthritis?  Please share!

The information we’ve shared in this blog post is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. These are our experiences and things that helped us while under veterinary care. It should not replace professional veterinary advice. If your dog/pet has a health issue please seek veterinary care.

How do you talk to your child about their newly diagnosed illness? How do you tell your child their pet has an illness like diabetes or arthritis? What can you do to explain that they will be loved unconditionally regardless of health issues? The answer is “Harley’s Story”.  Get an autographed copy!