Osteoarthritis in the Senior Dog

by Dash on March 13, 2010

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative and painful condition that develops gradually over time as joint tissue deteriorates.  Just like in people, arthritis can affect a dog’s quality of life, keeping them from activities, such as walking, running and playing. Signs that your dog is suffering from osteoarthritis pain include tiring easily on walks, favoring a limb, lagging behind, appearing stiff after activity, hesitating to climb steps or jump up, being slow to rise from a resting position, and overall descrease in activity.

While there are steroid medications that help to reduce inflammation, these drugs cause serious effects over long-term use.  In addition, steroids may reduce collagen synthesis, which delays healing.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation by controlling prostaglandin production and reduce discomfort through their analgesic properties. Unfortunately, just like in people, NSAIDs increase stomach acid secretion and diminish the muscosal protective barriers, leading to gastrointestinal irritation and upset.  NSAIDS that your vet can prescribe include Rimadyl and Deramaxx.  Side effects can include include appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea.  Metacam is an injection for pain and inflammation whie Zubrin is another pain reliever.  Finally, you can ask your vet about Previcox, which is also for pain and can improve mobility.  But there are also some alternative remedies available, such as accupuncture.  While acupuncture cannot prevent osteoarthritis, it can be very effective in relieving pain caused by nay form of arthritis or following surgical correction during the healing process.

Besides seeking pain relief prescriptions, there are other some easy things you can do to help your senior dog’s arthritis.  For example, massage for pain relief improves muscle and joint flexibility, increases blood supply, and helps prevent or breakdown scar tissue formation. It also helps relax muscle spasms and increases comfort.

You can also try using hot/cold heat packs and orthopoedic beds made specifically for dogs suffering from arthritis.  A supplement containing glucosamine chondroitin, omega fatty acids (3 and 6) and MSM help for hip and joint support.  Chondroitin helps because it is a constituent of cartilage and glucosamine helps the body repair joints and promote cartilage formation.

Dash already suffers from arthritis in his knees.  My vet recommended a product called Cosequin, and I put Dash on it for a few months but didn’t really notice much of a difference.  I then tried Platinum Performance Canine CJ (Joint Support) after hearing about it on Tracie Hotchner’s radio show, “Dog Talk.”  Like Cosequin, Platinum Performance initially was created for horses:

Ingredients: Flax Seed, Flax Oil, Rice Bran, Lactose-Free Whey Protein Concentrate, Sunflower Seed, Non-GMO Soy Flour, Cane Molasses, Glucosamine Sulfate 2KCl, Methylsulfonylmethane (OptiMSM™), Boswellia serrata Extract, Cetyl Myristoleate, Hyaluronic Acid, Performance Minerals™, Bio-Sponge™, Vitamin E (dl-Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Chromium Yeast, Selenium Yeast, Zinc Gluconate, Pine Bark Extract, Uncaria Tomentosa, Aloe Vera, Algal Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, L-Carnitine Tartrate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Choline Bitartrate, Niancinaminde (B3), Vitamin K, Calcium Pantothenate (B5), Riboflavin (B2), Vitamin B-12, Thiamine Mononitrate (B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (B6), Vitamin D3, Folic Acid, Biotin

Since you just mix in a teaspon into food, it was much easier to administer than a pill.  And it seemed that Dash didn’t mind the taste at all.  Did it make a difference?  His knees are still a little “crunchy” (as my vet described it) but I am using it as preventative, not for pain relief.  He did have less knee popping (luxating patella) episodes while he was taking it, so I would buy it again.  While it may seem expensive, it lasts a LONG time.  Platinum Performance carries several different types of joint support and even a pain reflief formula.  Check it out.

Glycoflex is the next product I’m going to try for preventative support.  It comes in chew form, so it’s just like giving your dog a treat.  We’ll see how Dash does on it.

Does your dog suffer from osteoarthritis?  What remedies have you tried as preventatives and for pain relief?

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Screening of MINE at Drexel Law School

by Dash on March 13, 2010

The Drexel Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund will sponsor an event on March 16 that explores legal and ethical complications that emerge when natural disasters separate pets from their owners. The event will start with Philadelphia’s premiere screening of MINE, an award-winning 2009 documentary that follows Hurricane Katrina survivors who tried to reclaim pets that had been rescued, taken to animal shelters around the U.S. and adopted by new owners. The 81-minute film chronicles the custody battles that arise when two families love the same pet. Following the film, a panel of speakers will address issues raised in the film and this fascinating emerging area of the law.

Speakers include:

Joe Bednarik, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, will speak on Evacuation Planning for Animals.
Barbara J. Gislason, founder of the ABA/TIPS Animal Law Committee, and champion of  the “Model Act Governing Standards for the Care and Disposition of Disaster Animals,” which was endorsed by the ABA House of Delegates in February. The Model Act is intended to provide certainty of ownership for disaster animals by providing an owner with a specific time frame by which the owner must reclaim companion animals following a declared federal major disaster, and to provide an animal shelter with specific guidelines as to how long disaster animals must be held prior to their disposition.

Phil Kircher, Cozen O’Connor, will discuss his experience defending a local owner of a Katrina dog sued by the original New Orleans owner.

PLUS, special guest “Katrina,” who found her way from New Orleans to a new home in Pennsylvania.

Space is limited – registration at http://drexelmine.eventbrite.com. Sandwiches and refreshments will be served.
Admission is free, but a $5 donation will be requested at the door to benefit the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti.

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University, 3320 Market Street, Philadelphia, Room 140

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The #1 Health Problem Among Senior Dogs

March 11, 2010

Is…OBESITY!  Just like in humans, the side-effects of obesity are deadly.  But why are senior dogs more likely to become obese?  While getting spayed/neutered does NOT cause obesity, hormonal changes and age affect metabolism.  Senior dogs (who are more likely to be spayed and neutered) have slower metabolisms and require less calories, more fiber and [...]

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Adopting a Senior Dog

March 10, 2010

This post is the first in a series of posts I’ll be doing dedicated to senior dogs. Older dogs in shelters are at a higher risk for euthanasia because there are many myths about why senior dogs are not as desirable as a puppy.  But there are plenty of reasons why a senior dog [...]

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PAWS event at Anthropologie this Friday!

March 10, 2010

Calling all Philadelphia-area fans! Anthropologie has partnered with The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society for a Pet Adoption Event—stop by our store and find room in your heart (and home) for one of our area’s homeless pups and kittens. The event runs from 2 to 7 pm at the Anthropologie store at 18th and Walnut [...]

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Dispelling Pit Bull Myths

March 9, 2010

Last night I got to meet Hector, one of Michael Vick’s former fighting dogs.  Other than seeing his physical scars, I never would have imagined that this loveable, docile dog had once been used as a brutal weapon.
Hector made a celebrity debut at Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law last night for Citizen’s for [...]

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Meet Eddie! (and then take him home)

March 9, 2010

Meet Eddie! Eddie is a 3-5 year old pit (possibly catahoula) mix who came to ACCT as a stray. He is gorgeous. He has crystal blue eyes and looks as though he’s been splattered with paint! His owners up and moved, but left poor Eddie in the house to fend for himself. He is very [...]

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BlogPaws 2010 or Bust!

March 8, 2010

This April I’m going to attend BlogPaws conference in Columbus, Ohio.  BlogPaws is a new organization created specifically for the online pet community.  This year there will be speakers on a variety of topics, from design and SEO to content creation and photography, that will help me be a better blogger and [...]

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Is your neighborhood dog friendly? Check out Manayunk!

March 7, 2010

I was walking down Main Street in Manayunk today and noticed how many people were walking their dogs.  It got me to wondering which neighborhood in Philadelphia is the dog friendliest.
Manayunk certainly has a lot to offer dog owners – right on Main Street there is a veterinarian clinic plus a Doggie Style, Canine Clippers, [...]

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Super Pet Expo was a smashing success

March 5, 2010

It was fantastic to meet so many of you this past weekend at the Super Pet Expo, and to meet so many new people who were interested in The Philly Dog.  I was suprised at how many New Jersey residents were looking for the type of information The Philly Dog has to offer, so I’ve [...]

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