Controlling the Aches and Pains of Age
My-Dog.info > Dog Health
With the medical and nutritional advances that have occurred
in veterinary medicine, our pets are living longer and healthier
lives. However, living longer means more pets are now
experiencing problems related to the aging process.
A common age-related problem is arthritis and, a condition of
great concern to pet owners because of the discomfort it may
cause. The good news is that many wonderful medications have been
developed to safely deal with chronic pain in both dogs and cats.
These can range from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
(or NSAIDs for short) or nutraceuticals and other
naturally-occurring remedies.
The first and foremost is to try and limit the need for
medications by ensuring that the joints are not overworked by
carrying too much weight or engaging in over-eager exercise.
Ensure that your pet is in the right weight range for dogs of its
body size and conformation and, while continued exercise is good,
be cautious of taking it on long walks or playing a long game of
fetch. Many dogs are so eager to please their masters and so
happy at the interaction, they will literally play fetch till
they drop. Bursts of aggressive exercise can put an arthritic
prone and out-of-shape physique into "super sore mode"
so please take it easy on this front. Swimming, on the other hand
is an ideal exercise as it allows the muscles to get a work-out
without putting weight on the joints.
NSAIDs are products we are all familiar with and they can be
found in virtually everyone’s medicine cabinet. Examples
include Aspirin™, acetominophen, Motrin™, and
ibuprofen. For instance Asprin™ can have tremendous
benefits if used properly and under veterinary supervision. These
medications can also be harmful, especially in cats and if used
without consulting your veterinarian first, so a word of caution
to Web site visitors– ALWAYS discuss the use of ANY
medication with your veterinarian before you administer it to
your pet; it is a terrible outcome when good intentions lead to
patient harm.
There are also many newer NSAIDs specifically designed for
animals that can be used to treat chronic pain. Examples include
Metacam™ and Rimadyl™. Like any NSAIDs, there are
potential side-effects and every pet should be thoroughly
assessed by way of a physical examination and blood testing
before these medications are prescribed. There has been a link
discovered between Rimadyl™ and liver disease in Labrador
retrievers so these medications may not be for every pet.
However, for those pets able to take the newer NSAIDs, the
results often border on miraculous with many bed-bound pets
responding to the control of pain with puppy-like behaviour.
Regarding the use of herbal remedies to assist with arthritis
control, one field that is growing rapidly is the area of
nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals are based on naturally-occurring
products that have been shown to assist in the control of pain
associated with arthritis. One example is refined fish
oils, especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids which can act
as natural anti-inflammatory medications. Another group of
nutraceuticals employs either glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate,
or both; both of these active ingredients have been shown to
increase the lubricating properties of the fluid that bathes the
joint making movement less painful. There is also a version
available for use by injection by your veterinarian. Many
different trade names exist and while they may not be as potent
as the NSAIDs, symptoms of pain often subside within 4 to 6 weeks
and these medications can be given in conjunction with NSAIDs,
often reducing the amounts needed.
As for other naturally-occurring remedies such as herbal
products, caution should be exercised as many designed for use in
arthritis contain similar ingredients as NSAIDs and, as they are
not as stringently regulated, the quantities contained can vary
and they may create toxicities when used in conjunction with
other arthritis relief medications.
In conculsion, many different products and solutions exist to
provide relief for the many older pets that suffer from the often
debilitating effects of arthritis. Talk to your
veterinarian about designing a pain-relief protocol that best
suits your pet’s needs.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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