It is important to understand that these NSAID medica-
tions cannot be combined or overlapped, or used concurrent- ly with oral cortisone, aspirin, or other human anti-inflamma- tory products. Multiple NSAID drugs used together or with cortisone nearly guarantee severe, and potentially life-threat- ening, adverse side effects. Human anti-inflammatory prod- ucts can cause tremendous problems in dogs and should be avoided altogether. While there are some basic precautions with NSAID use
- avoiding mixing NSAID's and monitoring liver and kidney function periodically - these therapies are often the medica- tions that have the greatest impact on OA and generate the most improvement of any single category of medication. We have exciting new products that fit in this category being introduced this year that may provide even greater benefits. Eventually, as the patient's comfort level improves, these med- ications can sometimes be reduced or eliminated once the chronic pain is controlled and restarted later if needed as the OA progresses. Adjunctive medications include a wide area of thera-
pies for specific situations. Since chronic pain can lead to “wind-up” - a form of hyper-sensitization that exacerbates the original pain problem - specific agents may be prescribed to reduce or prevent “wind-up”. There are also certain med- ications that can reduce pain by affecting neurotransmitters. And, of course, there are opiate drugs that can be useful for situations when there is more severe pain. While oral cortisone or Prednisone is not an appropriate
treatment for typical OA, it can be helpful when injected directly into a severely affected joint. Cortisone is appropriate for immune-mediate arthritis, a distinctly different form of joint disease from degenerate joint disease or OA. Monoclonal antibody therapy for the pain of osteoarthri-
tis sits on the horizon now and may provide tremendous advantages over some of our current options. Hopefully we’ll see this in action by late 2017. Alternative therapies can be combined with any and
all of the medications previously mentioned without concern for potential adverse side effects. The two most effective are acupuncture and laser therapy. Each can be used very safely even in pets with serious health problems that may prevent the use of other pharmacological therapies. For more details about how Laser therapy helps pets, go to
www.k-laser.com/pet-owners. Regenerative medicine is a newer therapy for OA
which involves injecting Platelet-Rich Plasma or Stem Cells directly in the affected joint(s). The cells are actually harvest- ed from the patient, so no foreign material is injected into the patient. The injection procedure is the same as with hyaluron- ic acid but it can provide much more dramatic and longer lasting response in advanced arthritis.
litecure.com/regenera- tive/for-pet-owners provides more detail about regenerative therapies available for pets. Weight loss is critical in osteoarthritis patients that are
overweight, even if they are not obese. Excess weight creates an unnecessary burden on painful joints and fat has an active role in contributing to pain.
Continued on following page.g
www.TheNewBarker.com Spring 2017 THE NEW BARKER 73
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