Hello to all. Some may have seen some of my previous posts. Here is another. Does any one have experience with arthritis in dogs, particularly a young dog? My 4 year old Corgi Eli was diagnosed with arthritis after a sports injury. It is somewhat unusual for a dog his age to have such severe arthritis on x-ray. My husband and I had noticed some slowness in him to come up the steps, but we really thought he was just being stubborn, as Corgis can be. But, after the x-rays, we weren't so sure. He eats home cooked meals, with plenty of carrots and celery in the mix. He also gets multi-vits with essential fatty acids, and omega 3 and 6 fish oils. He has been on In Clover's Canine Connectin for about a month on the loading dose. He has also shed a few pounds in the past several months. Since he is relatively young, we want to preserve as much joint funtion as possible, so that he can live a long and healthy life. The vet thinks that due to his age, this is a congenital disease. Any suggestions? Susie

I saw this product advertised on television originally for people and I also saw it advertised for pets, I thought you might like to give it a look. https://www.mypetspainrelief.com/product/No-Pain-Spray-400-Sprays,146,108.aspx

Thank you for the information. I will check it out. S

It's interesting. I just looked at aspca.org to see what they had to say about canine arthritis, and I think they are in cahoots with the pharmaceutical companies!  They advocated medicating with one of the top 4 prescrition meds. When I typed in holistic supplements, all they said was a pet owner should use only whatever is prescribed by the vet. I thought that was interesting, and not very forward thinking on their part. I think that many pet owners are looking for alternatives to traditional vet medicine. And if it is advisable that people take certain supplements for their ailments, then why not pets if it is formulated for them?  Isn't there a place for certain supplements for our pets?

 

It is totally understandable that you might come away with the impression that you did, however their answer is not necessarily incongruent with non conventual supplements. You must heed cautionary advice before mixing herbs and standard pharma because as I know you are aware of the possible interaction negatives. When their advice refers to vets, it also includes vets with a more holistic practice as well as those that participate in both leanings and well as the traditional. It is up to you to pick the care giver and not mix the chemistry with out being sure to do no harm. I am of course taking presumptive license because I do not truly know what is in their collective hearts with regard to their loyalties and preferences in their opinions but I think it is a reasonable conclusion that they want you to consult before mixing chemistry.

please see post below. am having IT difficulties today.

You are correct, one must consider how holistic medicine reacts with traditional medicine. I was simply reacting to the fact that aspca.org didn't seem to have an opinion other than "Ask your vet." Eli has juvenile arthritis. I am not interested in giving a 5 year old dog Rimidyl for the rest of his life, frying his liver and kidneys in the process. I want to treat him holistically. As the aspca has no opinion on holistic medicine, I must do what I think is the best for my dog, and do it safely. I was simply disappointed that the aspca had no opinion, not just in using holistic medication as an adjunct to traditional medicine, but using holistic medicine at all.  Eli does not take Rimidyl.  He is on a supplement with glucosamine, MSM, and a blend of herbs to decrease inflammation and help build cartilage. He is doing great!  We are making progress in human medicine regarding how herbs and supplements  interact  with medication. We can now tell a patient when they may be harming themselves. I am just looking forward to the day that we can do the same for our pets.

You are very right, In 1998, Rimadyl headed the list of drugs reported to cause adverse reaction in dogs -- 43.4% of all adverse drug reactions were due to Rimadyl. The most common adverse effects are stomach ulcers, and kidney, liver, and blood disorders. While NSAIDs can be safely used for short-term pain relief in most pets, their use should be reserved until all other preferred natural and safer options for long-term relief have been exhausted and the pet is showing signs of suffering. In the past I had very good results with  the modern laser acupuncture. The results were clearly visible and my little guy found the treatments very relaxing because it did stimulate the endorphins. If I could also mention Inflammation of arthritic joints contributes to the oxidation activity of free radicals that are damaging to the cells of the body and can increase the risk of cancer so high potency antioxidants maybe something you might wish to consider. Did  you check out  the product I told you about? I know nothing about it except it piqued my curiosity.

I did take a look at the product. It is a spray that you apply to the water bowel. Contains half a dozen or so homopathic ingredients, half of which are forms of calcium.  E does not do well with things in the water bowel. He always seems to know if I put something in it, and will wait to go out, then drink from a puddle. If you could spray right into the mouth, it would be better. I need to contact the company about that form of dosing. E seems to be doing very well on In Clover's K9 Connectin. Of course, it may not last, so I am always looking for alternatives. E takes a lot of supplements, but, none of them are labeled as "antioxidants". I will have to look into that as well.  You know, in oncology, we actually tell patients not to take large doses of antioxidants, just an MVI. Antioxidants can actually protect cancer cells, and make chemotherapy less effective.  Of course, this is up to speculation as well. Either way, I will look into antioxidants for E.  Thanks Jay.

 You are of course very right. Antioxidants are non discriminating in the cells they protect so the objective to the strategy here is to protect the good before they develop into the not good.

 Had trouble completing this before, the servers were cranky. Within the dogs body there are enzyme systems that scavenge free radicals, the principle antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. and selenium which is a trace metal  required for proper functioning of one of the antioxidant enzyme systems is included in this category.

 Dogs cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied through diet. When free radicals are created and the immune system is not functioning at its optimum best, three things can occur. If the free radical attacks a cell membrane, allergies can occur. If the molecule attacks the fat globule that gives nourishment to the cell, the cell then dies. This is what often happens in the aging process giving the opening to rheumatoid arthritis. If a free radical attacks the cell nucleus which has the cell reproductive map of the (DNA) cancer can develop

 

All the components of the antioxidant defense system act in a synergistic way, a deficiency of one creates the effect of the others to be less effective. Certain antioxidants do a better job of attacking free radicals in organs like the liver and kidneys; others are more effective with the lining of the body openings like the digestive tract and the air passages. The bottom line is that there is no one panacea antioxidant. The primary causes of illness are an Immunodeficiency combined with a weak antioxidant defense system. Unfortunately the dog’s body is constantly bombarded by free radicals so it is virtually impossible for the antioxidant defense system to be at peak performance at all times. To a great degree, immune activity is aided by antioxidants such as vitamin C. This essential nutrient not only increases the number of white blood cells it also enhances antibody formation. That is why we try to help the ailing antioxidant defense system through the use of antioxidants to act as barrier shields in an effort to prevent the invading free radicals from doing harm to cells. I would not be surprised if you are familiar with a lot of this.

 

 

I know what you mean about cranky servers!  I do have a fair knowlege of free radicals and antioxidants. In the oncology setting, antioxidants are just not a good idea. They are important BEFORE one gets sick, in that case.  E's MVI has all the items that you mentioned. He could probably do a bit more vitamin C, as it is water soluble, and not necessarily harmful. I do want to be careful with Vitamin E, as it is fat soluble. I am unsure what the proper doses would be for a 30 pound dog. I try very hard to vary E's diet, and include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, attempting to get antioxidants from the diet. He's not a big fan of berries, but likes pineapple, mango, papaya, melon, bananas, strawberries, squash, apples, pears, broccoli, and lots more. Carrots and celery are staples. LOVES tomatoes.  If you think of anything else to add, let me know. Alfalfa  and kelp are also part of the diet.

You seem to do things in such a good manor with your little ones, its hard to improve on perfection but it would not hurt to bring to the discussion floor for your assessment the value of adding quality selenium. Studies have shown that dogs benefit from high selenium levels in their diet for the prevention of cancer. It is important to note that the form of the selenium is important. Selenium derived from Natural, food forms may have beneficial effects not shared by human-synthesized selenium compounds. The ancestral diet of canines derived selenium from two organic forms, selenomethionine found primarily in plants and selenocysteine found mostly in organ meats. I know you do not feed run of the mill dry and canned dog foods which use inorganic types of selenium sodium selenite or sodium selenate. What is interesting and sad is that these forms of selenium are considered toxic by US Department of Health and Human Services. You can add a dietary insurance policy in effect to ensure the little guys are getting enough selenium by adding Brazil nuts. The selenium in broccoli and other vegetables will vary according to the amount of selenium in the soils. Brazil nuts, on the other hand, are a reliable source of selenium, and the fresher the better. One-half of a crushed Brazil nut per day for every 50 pounds a dog weighs will do the trick. And for your little guys once a week would be all that is necessary. Mince it grate, add it to the food.

Thank you for the kind words. I try very hard to vary the kids diet, keep it interesting for them, and keep it nutritious. The local butcher sells organ meats especially for dogs, but, they are not organic. Have used it once or twice. Don't feed nuts too often, so will look into that. I can get organic nuts at the local grocer. Since the economy is not so good, I am also looking at how to stetch a buck. The grocers often have pork(Buston Butt) on sale @ 99cents/lb. I have considered using it once in a while, but am afraid to upset Eli's gastric status quo. Dixie, on the other hand, has an iron gut, she can eat anything.  So, we'll see on that. Will ask the vet. Will try the brazil nuts. I love them, so, it will be hard not to keep them all to myself!  Have to think about the babies first!  Thanks for all the info!