November is Arthritis Month
How can we treat arthritis?
Treatment for arthritis focuses
on controlling the pain while preventing progression of the disease. A
combination of treatments can be more successful than a single therapy.
Oils: Such as products Efacoat and
Viacutin have been found to have
anti-inflammatory properties.
Glucosamine
HCl and chondroitin sulphate: These products allow the animal to repair damaged cartilage. It takes one
to two months to see beneficial effects. Synoquin, Cosequin and Seraquin are
all available in different sizes for dogs and cats. Synequin and Newmarket Equine joint support are available for horses.
Cartrophen
(Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium) injections: This injection has anti-inflammatory properties, improving cartilage and the joint fluid
metabolism. Cartrophen injections are usually organised by your vets.
Non
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Most pets
with arthritis pain need relief now and the most often used is the non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications act quickly by suppressing the
inflammatory biochemicals that ultimately lead not only to the pain of
arthritis but also to cartilage damage. None of these medications can safely be
combined with one another. Furthermore, human NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) tend
to be toxic to pets, especially cats, and should be avoided. NSAIDs available
for dogs include Rimadyl (Carprofen), Previcox (fibrocoxib) and Metacam
(meloxidyl) and for horses Metacam Equine or Danilon can be used. Metacam Feline can also be used in cats. NSAIDs are only available on
prescription from your vets.
Is there anything else I can do?
While medication is an important part of therapy, weight control and proper exercise should not be forgotten. Overweight animals suffer more ‘wear and tear’ to joints, and keeping your pet at an appropriate weight will greatly improve clinical signs seen with arthritis. Controlled exercise, such as walks are excellent physical therapy for the arthritic pet. Hydrotherapy is good as it gives exercise without high impact on the joints. Remember, treatment for joint disease is likely to involve a combination of medications in addition to physical activity.
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