Canine Osteoarthritis: Part II
A Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Pain. –by Dr. Elizabeth F. Baird, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, CVMA
OSTEOARTHRITIS, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS CHRONIC, PROGRESSIVE, AND POTENTIALLY DEBILITATING. Dogs with osteoarthritis can suffer significant loss of mobility due to the pain that accompanies the disease. While pain by itself is debilitating - causing the pet to favor the leg or body part that hurts and affects their function directly - it also leads to gradual muscle loss, contraction of joint capsules, and contributes to other physiologic changes that result in a decline in mobility and function.
There are multiple treatment strategies for pets with OA, but all lead to one endpoint – improving the pet’s mobility and com- fort. By providing joint support, we can endeavor to improve the cartilage health of the effected joints. By interfering with inflammation, we can reduce pain and its negative physiologic effects on the body. Treatment will reduce pain, which
will result in increased mobility. As com- fort levels increase, continued treatment encourages muscle rebuilding and improved range of motion. This will fur- ther reduce pain and its negative physio- logic effects. There are several categories of treat-
ments for osteoarthritis. The most effec- tive treatment approach combines thera- pies into a multi-modal strategy. By attacking the problem from several angles it is possible to maximize the effectiveness of therapy while minimizing the risk of side effects. Slow-acting disease modifying
agents include a variety of medications and supplements aimed largely at improv- ing joint and cartilage health:
72 THE NEW BARKER •Adequan (a proteolytic enzyme
inhibitor) is an injectable medication given in the muscle that can help reduce inflammation in the joint, improve carti- lage health, and increase the thickness (vis- cosity) of the joint fluid. All of these changes lead to healthier cartilage and joints. •Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occur-
ring compound that has a direct anti- inflammatory effect in joints, providing lubricating and cushioning to the effected joint. It is administered directly via an intra-articular injection at the joint, typi- cally in a series of three injections over several weeks. •Oral products containing glu-
cosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sul- fate, and MSM (methylsufonylmethane) have been used as daily joint supplements to boost overall
joint health.
Unfortunately, in both the human and veterinary market, many of the specific products have not been studied objective- ly for proof of effectiveness. Worse still, analysis of some supplements has revealed the bottles do not always contain either
the stated ingredients or amounts noted on the labels. As this is a constantly changing market, your veterinarian can provide you with the most current and effective recommendations on specific products.
•Omega 3 essential fatty acids can
provide assistance when used as a long term treatment. The fatty acids help to relieve OA largely with their antioxidant properties. The effective dose for Omega 3 is much higher than that used for skin and coat condition. The products listed above are all rel-
atively slow acting and are typically asso- ciated with few side effects. They involve minimal drug interactions, typically mak- ing them safe for geriatric pets that may have concurrent health problems and be taking multiple medications. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory
drugs (NSAID) are tremendously useful in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs. There are several different NSAIDs currently approved by the FDA for treatment of dogs. Individual pets may respond better to one medication than another despite their similarity. The most common brands of canine
NSAID’s are Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam and Previcox. The effectiveness of a NSAID is often evident after just a few days and is typically recognized by increased mobility, activity and comfort in the patient. These are available in fla- vored chewable tablets, non-flavored pills, and a tasty liquid, so daily administration is not usually difficult.
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