Please click here to view an interactive video on arthritis then follow these guidelines for arthritis control in your pet.
- Weight Control- A professor of mine in school would frequently remind us that there were three ways to control arthritis in animals...Weight Control, Weight Control, Weight Control.
- Diet- Hill's® Prescription Diet® j/d™ Canine is an innovative dog food that helps maintain healthy joints and improves mobility in dogs. Its unique formula contains high levels of EPA (Eicosapentanoic Acid), an omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in fish oil. Research has shown that EPA can help maintain joint function. Enhanced levels of glucosamine and chondroitin provide the building blocks of healthy cartilage, and L-carnitine, which helps maintain optimum body weight. j/d™ Canine improves the quality of life by helping dogs run better, play better, and rise more easily.
- Controlled Exercise- This means frequent leash walking. Try to avoid ball chasing and frequent off leash running.
- Medications- There are 2 catagories of medications that we frequently utilize to help control arthritic pain.
a. Neutraceuticals- These would include medications such as glucosamine and MSM. (Synovi G3)
b. Non steroidals- Medications such as Metacam, Etogesic, Rimadyl, and Deramaxx are excellent sources for long term management of arthritis. Your doctor may wish to monitor your animal with blood work in order to monitor there safety.
How arthritic is your dog? Take the Canine Arthrtic Pain Assessment.