Natural Alternatives for Arthritis, Joint Pain
& Stiffness
by Dr. Larry Siegler
As our companions age, arthritis is a common ailment for many of them. Gradually you may notice that your feline
friend no longer jumps up on the counters or furniture as easily. Your dog may hesitate to jump in the car or will climb
stairs more slowly. You may notice your companion is stiff upon rising. These are all signs of painful joints.
Up to 25 – 30% of companion animals suffer from osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic, slowly progressing condition that is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage surrounding
a joint. As this deterioration progresses, the bony structures begin to rub against one another causing pain and discomfort.
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic disease that leads to joint deterioration and arthritis. It is more common in large dog breeds.
These and other degenerative joint disorders involving cartilage and joint deterioration can be treated quite successfully
with a comprehensive treatment program developed for the animal.
There are a wide variety of ways to treat arthritis and joint stiffness/pain from a more “natural” approach.
While NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, EtoGesic and others are commonly prescribed
for arthritis, I prefer to reserve their use until after all other means have been exhausted and the animal is still showing
signs of suffering. NSAIDs can be damaging to the liver and gastrointestinal system when taken over long periods of
time and can have other side effects as well. NSAIDs provide pain relief, but do nothing to help repair damaged tissue
and prevent further deterioration. Arthritis and joint pain can often be controlled for years using diet, supplements,
herbs and acupuncture; and many animals may never need NSAIDs.
One of the best defenses and treatments for arthritis is a high quality Glucosamine / Chondroitin sulfate supplement.
Glucosamine stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAG's), important proteins found in cartilage and proteoglycans,
the water-holding molecules that make up the cartilage. Glucosamine has been shown to not only help pain, but also rehabilitate
damaged cartilage. These compounds may also have anti-inflammatory activity. A typical dose would be at least
1000 mg per 50 lbs of body weight daily, but this should be determined for your companion’s specific needs with your
veterinarian. I often recommend that dogs be started on a good joint supplement that includes glucosamine by the
time they are 8 or 9 for larger breeds, 10 or 11 for smaller breeds, even when no symptoms are present. Preventing joint
deterioration can go a long way to easing the effects of aging for your companion. Here are several good products offered
by Only Natural Pet Store>/a>:
MSM, (Methylsulfonylmethane), is another supplement used in the prevention and treatment of arthritis. MSM is a naturally
occurring sulfur compound found in every cell of the body and contributes to maintaining healthy connective tissue and membrane
flexibility. It can assist in reducing inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis and other diseases or injuries.
Diet is a key factor in the treatment of any chronic condition. Diet is the foundation of good health and this is
the most important thing you can do for your dog or cat. Many animals with chronic conditions such as arthritis have
seen dramatic improvement on a raw food or home-prepared diet. Please see our articles What You Need to Know About Your Pet's Food and All About Raw Food. Some people are not comfortable with feeding raw food. If so, I recommend a combination of home prepared cooked
meals, a very high quality canned food or dehydrated food, and the best quality kibble you can afford. If the animal
has food or environmental allergies these must be addressed as allergies can contribute to inflammation and degenerative conditions.
Weight control is of utmost importance. An overweight animal will suffer much more from arthritis pain and the disease
process will be accelerated. Gentle exercise is very helpful whether the animal is overweight or not. For dogs
the ideal exercise is swimming or under-water treadmills. Dog “spas” and therapy pools are becoming more
widely available all over the country. See the website for the Association of Canine Water Therapy for a practitioner
and pool listing in your state: http://www.caninewatertherapy.com/index.htm
Digestive Enzymes & Probiotics are essential. They aid the digestion and assimilation of the nutrients in cooked
and processed foods. Poor digestion and leaky gut exacerbate and contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions such
as arthritis, allergies and degenerative conditions. Maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system will go a long way
to preventing these complications. .
Essential Fatty Acids (preferably one with fish oil) help reduce inflammation and can be quite helpful in the treatment of joint problems.
In addition, essential fatty acids aid in gastrointestinal health and the treatment of allergies. I often recommend
giving a higher dose than recommended on the label. Loose stools would be a sign to reduce the dosage a bit.
There are a variety herbal remedies and supplements available and the response will vary by individual. These can
be safely used in conjunction with glucosamine and other nutriceuticals. It is sometimes necessary to try one at a time
until the best option is found (giving a minimum of two weeks, and preferably longer, to determine effectiveness):
Chinese herbs can also be very beneficial in the treatment of joint disorders. It is best to have the guidance of
a veterinarian trained in Chinese Medicine to select the proper remedy for your companion’s specific condition.
Duralactin® is a newer supplement on the market that has shown promising results in reducing the inflammation of arthritis
and other chronic inflammatory processes. Used in conjunction with glucosamine/chondroitin supplements and other natural
treatments I have seen Duralactin benefit arthritic animals. (Coming soon to Only Natural Pet Store.)
Adequan® is a polysulfated glycosaminoglycan similar to glucosamine. It is also a cartilage component similar to
glucosamine, but Adequan is derived from the windpipe cartilage of cattle. Adequan has numerous beneficial effects including
the inhibition of harmful enzymes involved in joint cartilage destruction, stimulation of cartilage repair, and increasing
joint lubrication. Adequan is only available by injection from a veterinarian.
Acupuncture can be extremely helpful for animals with arthritic conditions. I have seen dramatic improvement in both
dogs and cats with arthritis following acupuncture and with regular treatments. For a list of practitioners in your
area see the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association referral directory: http://www.ahvma.org/referral/index.html
Chiropractic adjustments and massage can also be quite beneficial as an animal will often contort their spine when trying
to move in a way to minimize joint pain. For a list of practitioners see the
American Veterinary Chiropractic Association
website.
Constitutional Homeopathy – using single, high potency remedies, has also produced good results for some arthritis
patients. For a list of practitioners see the The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy website.
Additional supplements such as high-potency antioxidants are also commonly recommended for the arthritis patient.
The inflammatory activity of arthritic joints contributes to the presence of free-radicals in the body and oxidation that
is very damaging to cells and can increase the risk of cancer.
