Arthritis in dogs
Arthritis in dogs is chronic, progressive condition which affects movable joints which cause pain and dysfunction. It is accomplished with degeneration of articular cartilage and loss of proteoglycan and collagen, proliferation of new bone and various inflammatory responses. In the UK, it is the most commonly observed no traumatic orthopaedic condition of dogs (Hand et al., 2011).
Some breeds are more likely to develop this joint condition. For example, large breed dogs like German Shepherds, Saint Bernard's, Golden and Labrador Retriever, Old English Sheepdogs, Rottweilers, Boxers and others have higher prevalence (Royal Canin, 2016).
Majority dogs presented with osteoarthritis are between 8 and 13 years (Royal Canin, 2016).
Joint conditions are more common in large breeds, followed by medium breeds.
In general osteoarthritis is irreversible but appropriate management can reduce pain and slow down progression of disease.
The goal of management of this condition is 1) to reduce risk factors, 2) control of clinical signs, 3) slow progression of disease.
To reduce the risk factors, your dog to develop osteoarthritis she or he should be fed with appropriate diet according to her/his breed, size, age, activity and lifestyle. Calcium deficiency or excess leads to joint conditions. Excess weight in puppies significantly increases the risk of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia. On another hand, large percentage of dogs presented for orthopaedic surgery are overweight (Royal Canin, 2016). If your dog is overweight or obese, request a custom weight plan for her.
Traumas, can lead to joint conditions too.
Correct diet can provide noticeable improvement in clinical signs, reducing inflammation and pain, slowing the degenerative process. Request a tailor-made nutrition plan for you dog with osteoarthritis here.
Essential fatty acids are very important component diets of dogs with osteoarthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids can decrease the inflammatory mediators associated with osteoarthritis and they can reduce the destructive processes in the cartilage (Hansen et al., 2008). Dogs with osteoarthritis whose diets were supplemented with added fish omega-3 oil, showed major improvement of their lameness after 90 days (Roush et al., 2010b).
Diets for Dogs offers for your dog high grade pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 Marine Lipid 236 ml oil. Omega-3 essential fatty acid is extracted by gentle cold-pressure (not like in other brands by heat which damages the oil). It contains also Vitamin E, Lecithin, Zinc, Biotin and Rosemary Extract.
Glucosamine, the precursor of sulphated glycosaminoglycan and chondroitin sulphate. In healthy animals, glucosamine is synthesised in the chondrocytes in joints. This process is compromised in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis and glucosamine should be supplemented to their food.
Study carried by Rialland et al., 2012 stated that green-mussels have enormous benefits for patients with osteoarthritis because they contain substances including glycosaminoglycan, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals.
Diets for Dogs offers the most comprehensive joint scientific formulated Green Lipped Mussel Joint Support 120 Chewable Tablets available in the UK market. Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Essential Fatty Acids and other ingredients in our Green Lipped Mussel Chewable Tablets are extracted naturally. Another active ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid (which is responsible for lubrication of joints), Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E and Manganese (which are powerful antioxidants).
All Diets For Dogs supplements are highly palatable and contain higher levels of active ingredients than any other equivalent product on market.
References:Hand et al. 2011. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Quick Consult. Mark Morris Institute. ISBN – 13: 978-0-945837-03-9Hansen RA, Harris MA, Pluhar GE, Motta T, Brevard S, Ogilvie GK, Fettman MJ, Allen KG. 2008. Fish oil decreases matrix metalloproteinases in knee synovia of dogs with inflammatory joint disease. J Nutr Biochem. 2008 Feb;19(2):101-8. Epub 2007 May 24.Henrotin Y, Clutterbuck AL, Allaway D, Lodwig EM, Harris P, Mathy-Hartert M, Shakibaei M, Mobasheri A. 2010. Biological actions of curcumin on articular chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010 Feb;18(2):141-9.Rialland P, Bichot S, Lussier B, Moreau M, Beaudry F, del Castillo JR, Gauvin D, Troncy E. 2013. Effect of a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel on pain behavior and functioning in dogs with clinical osteoarthritis. Can J Vet Res. 2013 Jan;77(1):66-74.Roush JK, Dodd CE, Fritsch DA, Allen TA, Jewell DE, Schoenherr WD, Richardson DC, Leventhal PS, Hahn KA. 2010a. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Jan 1;236(1):59-66.Royal Canin, 2016