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Canine Arthritis
Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS
Time and aging have the unfortunate ability to reduce the mobility and joint health of dogs, just as in humans.
Understanding the various causes of arthritis and possible relief forms could assist in enhancing your best friend’s quality of life.
Many of the diseases and effects associated with aging in humans also afflict dogs. The daily wearand-tear of joints destroys the cartilage, causing osteoarthritis and eventually degenerative arthritis.
The aging process reduces cell stability and membrane strength, leading to free-radical production and injury susceptibility. Much of the pain associated with arthritis is due to swelling in the joint.
Injuries and damage to body cells cause the release of compounds that cause inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. Large-breed dogs and over-weight dogs seem to have a higher-incidence of joint problems than other dogs. However, just as with humans, there are considerable differences between individuals for arthritis susceptibility and the rate of arthritis progression.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a collective term for many diseases, some of which are curable. Infection or immune-mediated diseases can be localized or affect the entire body simultaneously. Resolving the infection or addressing the particular disease may alleviate rheumatoid arthritis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), including aspirin and ibuprofen, may reduce the pain associated with arthritis. However, the NSAID do not treat the causes of arthritis. Aspirin has in some dogs caused digestive tract problems, including ulcers or hemorrhaging.
Nutritional supplementation of trace minerals, vitamins and key nutrients can aid in enhancing the quality of life for a dog afflicted with arthritis. Trace minerals and the vitamins A, C and E support immune function to defend against harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins, which otherwise could induce rheumatoid arthritis. Mineral status is a key factor for determining a dog’s response to stress, injury, exercise and illness. The vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants to reduce tissue damage caused by free-radicals other harmful compounds. Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis collagen and connective tissue repair. Vitamin E blocks destructive enzymes that degrade cartilage.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells of chitin (shellfish). Glucosamine is a key component of cartilage, stimulates joint function and repair, renews synovial fluid and relieves the pain of osteoarthritis. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) contains sulfur, an abundant mineral in the body and vital for creating and regenerating body tissue, especially connective tissue. Research studies suggest MSM reduces inflammation, dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow and reduces muscle spasms.
The green-lipped mussel is a shellfish from Australia and New Zealand. The mussel flesh is powderized and supplemented as a source of chondroitin and other glycosaminoglycans. The glycosaminoglycans maintain and rebuild connective tissue such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as reduce inflammation, which results in reduced joint pain and stiffness, less inflammation, and quicker recovery from exercise and injury.
The various forms of arthritis are virtually unavoidable as the dog ages. The Fastrack® Joint Complete for Dogs is a nutritional supplement of chelated trace minerals, vitamins, glucosamine, green-lipped mussels and MSM to help enhance the quality of life for joint-afflicted dogs.
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Fastrack® Joint Complete for Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which dogs should receive the Fastrack Joint Complete for Dogs?
A: Dogs challenged by arthritis, bursitis, dysplasia, epiphysitis, injuries, muscle tension or spasms, osteochondrosis, tendonitis, surgical rehabilitation or wound healing should be supplemented with Joint Complete for Dogs. Senior dogs, large-breed dogs, overweight dogs and those genetically predisposed to joint challenges are also excellent candidates for this product.
2. What is in the Joint Complete for Dogs?
A: The Joint Complete for Dogs features 10 minerals; vitamins A, D, E, K, C and the B-complex; and the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. The product also features glucosamine HCl, green-lipped mussels and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) to support joint health.
3. How does aging affect a dog?
A: Many of the diseases associated with aging in humans also afflict dogs. Cell stability and membrane strength decline as a dog ages. Simple wear-and-tear leads to osteoarthritis and can result in degenerative arthritis. Damage to body cells cause the release of compounds that cause inflammation, spasms and pain. When comparing young and senior dogs, an injury of the same force to an older dog will cause more intense pain, greater tissue damage, more swelling and require a longer recovery time than with the young dog.
4. What is arthritis?
A: Arthritis occurs when cartilage in joints is damaged and lost, resulting in bone-on-bone grinding.
Arthritis can also result from trauma, infection or immune-mediated disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation or swelling causes the pain associated with arthritis.
5. What are the roles of the minerals in the Joint Complete for Dogs?
A: The minerals in the Joint Complete for Dogs support immune function for defense against harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins. The minerals are also critical to hormone production for many physiological processes, including reproduction, hormone production and the secretion of enzymes. A dog’s mineral status is a major factor in determining its response to stress, injury, exercise and illness.
6. Why are some of the minerals in the Joint Complete for Dogs chelated?
A: The Joint Complete for Dogs features chelated magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt for increased absorption by the dog. Chelation is the chemical process of attaching a mineral to an organic compound. Amino acids were used in the chelation of the minerals in the Joint Complete for Dogs. Research studies indicate supplementing chelated minerals increases immune function, health and reproduction.
7. What are the roles of the vitamins A, C and E in the Joint Complete for Dogs?
A: The vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants and reduce tissue damage caused by free-radical and other harmful compounds. These vitamins support immune function to defend the body against invading bacteria, viruses and toxins. Vitamins A, C and E are also recognized for their important role in enhancing fertility.
8. What is Ester-C®?
A: Ester-C is a patented form of vitamin C from Nutra-Cal Nutriceuticals. Vitamin C is a highly absorbable salt-form of ascorbic acid which is buffered and does not cause stomach upsets.
9. Do dogs need supplemental vitamin C?
A: Dogs can synthesize vitamin C, but the hepatic synthesis is half that of most mammals. Vitamin C synthesis also declines as a dog ages. Stress, degenerative diseases, infections and inflammation rapidly deplete vitamin C levels. Joint function also increases vitamin C requirements.
10. Can a dog receive too much vitamin C?
A: Vitamin C is quickly metabolized by the body and excess amounts are rapidly cleared from the body.
11. What are the roles of the B-complex vitamins in the Joint Complete for Dogs?
A: The B-complex vitamins are catalysts for enzyme reactions, skin health, and are intimately involved in amino acid synthesis and energy metabolism in the dog’s body.
12. What is glucosamine?
A: Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells of chitin (shellfish). Glucosamine is also a key component of cartilage and stimulates joint function and repair. Glucosamine also renews synovial fluid and relieves the pain of osteoarthitis.
13. What is the role of vitamin C relative to joint health?
A: Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis collagen and connective tissue repair. Collagen can be thought of as the intercellular cement that binds body tissues together.
14. What is the role of vitamin E relative to joint health?
A: Vitamin E blocks destructive enzymes that degrade cartilage.
15. Does aspirin help a dog with arthritis?
A: Aspirin can relieve pain by masking the pain, but does not resolve the cause of the pain. Aspirin may cause digestive tract problems, including ulcers or hemorrhaging.
16. How does MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) help my dog?
A: MSM contains sulfur, an abundant mineral in the body and vital for creating and regenerating body tissue, especially connective tissue. Unfortunately, MSM is destroyed by cooking or high temperatures and is water-soluble. Research studies suggest MSM reduces inflammation, dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow and reduces muscle spasms.
17. How does green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) help my dog?
A: The green-lipped mussel is a shellfish from Australia and New Zealand. The mussel flesh is powderized and supplemented as a source of chondroitin and other glycosaminoglycans. The glycosaminoglycans maintain and rebuild connective tissue such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as reduce inflammation, which results in reduced joint pain and stiffness, less inflammation, and quicker recovery from exercise and injury.
FASTRACK® Joint Complete for Dogs
The aging process can take its toll on your dog’s body. Senior dogs may suffer from painful conditions due to injury, genetic predisposition or the result of aging. The Fastrack® Joint Complete for Dogs supplement provides the minerals, vitamins and an essential fatty acid needed by your dog. The specially formulated Joint Complete for Dogs is enhanced with glucosamine HCl, green-lipped Perna mussel, Ester-C®1brand calcium ascorbate, and MSM to support joint health2 A nutritional supplementation program combining the Joint Complete for Dogs with Fastrack® Canine Microbial Supplement will be an unbeatable program for promoting your dog’s well-being3 Owners supplementing their dogs with the Joint Complete for Dogs report:
· Enhanced performance and endurance · Improved joint movement
· Better appetite · More consistent stools
· Improved hair coat
Especially formulated for dogs:
· Chelated minerals for enhanced absorption
· Complete spectrum of vitamins
· Vitamin C featured as the highly bioavailable Ester-C®
· Glucosamine HCl, green-lipped mussels and MSM to support joint health
Usage periods:
· Senior dogs · Working and training
· Hip dysplasia · Arthritis
· Dermatitis · Bursitis
· Injury or surgery recovery · Tendinitis
Suggested usage rates:
Joint Ease Complete for Dogs is intended as a dietary supplement and is not a complete food for dogs. The chewable tablet can be supplemented as a treat, or crumbled and mixed with food.
Puppies and dogs under 20 lb: ½ tablet daily
Dogs over 20 lb: 1 tablet daily
Guaranteed analysis per tablet (3.1 g):
Minerals: Calcium 100 mg, phosphorus 77 mg, potassium 16 mg, magnesium 5 mg, iron 2 mg, copper 100 mcg, manganese 60 mcg, zinc 1.5 mg, iodine 52 mcg, cobalt 14 mcg.
Vitamins: Vitamin A 1,050 IU, vitamin D3 100 IU, vitamin E 11 IU, vitamin C (as Ester-C®) 158 mg, thiamine 0.2 mg, riboflavin 0.5 mg, pantothenic acid 2 mg, niacin 2.3 mg, pyridoxine 0.2 mg, folic acid 40 mcg, vitamin B12 5 mcg, choline 50 mg
Essential fatty acid: Linoleic acid 53 mg
Other components: Glucosamine HCl 200 mg and green-lipped mussel 200 mg
Ingredients: Animal liver digest, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, fish meal, glucosamine HCL, Perna canaliculus (Green-lipped mussel), calcium ascorbate, lecithin, choline chloride, methylsulfonylmethane, magnesium amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, zinc amino acid chelate, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, niacinamide, vitamin A acetate, d-Calcium pantothenate, copper amino acid chelate, riboflavin, manganese amino acid chelate, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cobalt amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, folic acid 1Ester-C® is a registered trademark of Inter-Cal Corp
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