Joint Deterioration and Your Pet

 

If you are a canine owner, your dog is part of the family. You make sure they visit the vets, take heartworm meds, eats well and plays often. So when you notice changes in their mood or activity level, you probably think it is a stomach virus or a cold - but it could be the signs of joint deterioration. Approximately 20-25% of family pets suffer from some form of Degenerative Joint Issues. In fact, it affects roughly one 1 in every 5 adult pet dogs in the United States which equates to roughly 14.9 million dogs.

Types of Dog Joint problems

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Knee dysplasia)
• Knee (stifle joint)
• Osteochondrosis
• Hypertrophic arthritis
• Shoulder degeneration
• Wrist Arthritis (carpi)
• Kneecap dislocation

 

Signs of Degenerative Joints and Joint issues

 

• Difficulty or adverse reaction to walking, playing, or going up stairs
• Falling behind you on walks
  
• Toe dragging (when the top of nails tend to drag on the ground when walking 
• General lethargy (sleeping more)
• Difficulty sitting and/or getting up from a lying down position
• Limping or favoring a limb
• Weight Gain
• Stiff And sore after exercise
• Signs of pain when petted or touched
• Being less alert
• Attitude or behavior changes

  Many vets recommend the following sources to help your dog's discomfort:

Side Effects of Glucosamine

• May increase insulin resistance
• Mild blood thinning effect
• May cause mild digestive upset such as nausea and diarrhea
  

Side Effects of NSAIDS

 

Prednisone, Dexamethasone, and other corticosteroids will markedly reduce swelling and inflammation to affected joints. Long term corticosteroid use can actually contribute to additional joint damage and breakdown.  Steroids and NSAIDs do not promote healing of joint tissues.

NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Rimadyl, Etogesic and Duramxx can have noticeable beneficial effects on the arthritis patient.  These medications, too, have a down side in some patients and must be very carefully regulated to avoid bleeding disorders, gastric ulcers, and liver and kidney dysfunction. 

 

 

A Review of Signs of a Potentially Life-threatening Reaction to Rimadyl

• loss of appetite
• refusal to drink
• unusual pattern of urination, blood in the urine, sweet-smelling urine, an overabundance of urine, urine accidents in the house
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• black, tarry stools or flecks of blood in the vomit
• lethargy, drowsiness, hyperactivity, restlessness, aggressiveness
• staggering, stumbling, weakness or partial paralysis, full paralysis, seizures, dizziness, loss of balance
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin, mucus membranes and whites of the eyes)

 

NUTRACEUTICALS
By their nature, nutraceuticals are substances that are consumed orally as an addition to a normal diet.  These substances can be much safer than traditional "drugs" in that they can be considered a form of food or nutrient.  Toxicity levels are rarely attainable if they are used in reasonable amounts.  With drugs, we would see apparent comfort and improvement almost immediately... but at the expense of potential undesirable side effects.

A holistic approach to treating arthritis is to reduce the inflammation and provide the nutrients needed to improve the cartilage and soft connective tissue of the joints.

Our holistic approach for treating joint degeneration in dogs is a powerful nutraceutical called VG750.

VG750 has been shown to not only slow the progression of joint degeneration with properties that help to prevent the depletion of calcium, it will also reduce the swelling & discomfort naturally without the nasty side effects of conventional pain relievers.

VG750 is a medicinal plant native to India and Africa. Traditional healers have used this plant to treat ailments from bone fracture to stomach ulcers. VG750 is rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants as well as analgesic properties on a mg per mg basis comparable to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs. Nutra-9 discovered the power of this unique herbal remedy and has made it available to dog owners who want to support the joints of their healthy or arthritic dogs.

More reasons why you should give your dog VG750:

 

·         Assists in the rehabilitation and protection of damaged cartilage 

·         pain, tenderness, and swelling reduction without the side effects of an NSAID or Steroid 

·         Possesses analgesic properties on a mg per mg basis comparable to aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs. 

·         Properties of VG750 have shown 33-55% reduction in fracture healing time 

·         Properties of VG750 have shown to help with a 90% tensile strength in 6 weeks

·         Rich in vitamins/antioxidants Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene

·         No drug or health interactions (glucosamine and diabetes don't mix)

·         Formulated in a chewable beef flavored tablet for easy administration

·         No filler, just one beneficial ingredient

 

Results seen in as little as 5-10 days.

(Other nutraceutical products can take as long as 30-50 days)

Most dogs develop joint problems as they age. Although there are no miracle cures, much can be done to make dogs with joint problems more comfortable and improve their lives.

The time to address potential  joint changes is before chronic stresses impact the joint conformation and structure.  Genetic and environmental factors play a major roll in the development of the joint structures and lay the foundation for joint parameters affecting eventual joint health.  There is no cure for degenerated joints.  Management is the key.

If you have a dog “prone” to joint problems (knee problems or a large breed dog) starting them on a healthy path to strong joints is important to maintain a high quality of life.

 

  Due to FDA regulations we are not allowed to say the "A" word when it comes to joint issues with dogs.