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Sunday, 22 July 2007 |
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The ability of glucosamine to provide relief to those individuals who suffer from osteoarthritis is sweeping the nation, but would anyone have ever suspected its ability to heal our canine friends as well? If they hadn’t, they should have. It has been shown for years that a dog’s body possesses the ability to respond to the same medical treatments proven successful in humans. If a dog can now successfully undergo open heart surgery, why not a similar arthritis treatment?
While some dogs remain active and mobile until well into their rocking years others seem to become immobile and suffer from arthritic conditions at a young age. The reason for this is that the main ingredient in a dog’s diet is red meat; hamburger, steak, etc. Beef based dog foods are full of it. While a dog may find this diet more than satisfying to their palette the amount of uric acid found within can be a hidden killer. The uric acid in red meat is a large contributor to arthritic conditions in the canine population, allowing the joints and tissues to slowly (or not so slowly) degenerate. Glucosamine is believed to have the same ameliorative powers in dogs as it does in humans. Glucosamine is a precursor to the substances that form the connective tissue in the joints; a lack of glucosamine can result in the body being unable to repair itself in the event of injury. On the other hand, it has been hypothesized that by introducing higher levels of glucosamine into the body the joints will be able to repair the damaged cartilage and slowly restore mobility and stop pain. While glucosamine has not yet been established as the “miracle cure” for canine osteoarthritis, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Using glucosamine is not the only way that devoted pet owners can help their canine companions restore their health and mobility. Exercising is an important part in keeping a pet fit; this is even more true for animals who suffer from arthritis and are therefore less likely to initiate physical activity on their own. These animals are prone to obesity, which only serves to exacerbate the effects of arthritis. Daily exercise will help to loosen the joints and make it easier for the dog to move, as well as preventing the excessive weight gain that can accompany a sedentary lifestyle. It is important that the correct exercises be chosen to prevent doing further damage to the arthritic joints. For dogs who suffer from arthritis in their front legs owners and trainers should avoid encouraging jumping downward, or vice versa. An arthritic animal should not be forced to continue exercising when they are showing signs of fatigue; this can increase the inflammatory response and cause the dog more pain later. With the proper care, medication and early detection canine arthritis can be successfully treated and beaten. Anyone who suspects that their pet could benefit from the use of glucosamine should contact their veterinarian. |
