Health

Arthritis Treatment for Dogs

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 31, 2002 / 8:41 AM EST / CBS

We think that about 8 million dogs suffer from arthritis. It's a disease that can cause pain and limit mobility in our faithful companions. Dr. Jim Humpries is here to talk about how to recognize the symptoms and to discuss some promising new treatments.

Interview with Jim Humphries, DVM, a leading authority on veterinary care

How common is arthritis in dogs?

It is estimated that 8 million dogs have arthritis and more than half are 8 years of age or older. That's one in five dogs! It's more common in purebred dogs, especially large breeds like Labs, St. Bernard's, etcetera. Many of these breeds have the tendency to develop hip dysplasia.

How can you tell if your dog has arthritis?

Difficulty moving in the morning or after exercise, don't want to play as long anymore, avoid climbing stairs or jumping, shies away from touch, whining, yelping on sudden movement.

What is arthritis?

It's technically called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. It is the inflammation of the bony and soft tissues in the joint. There is a loss of cartilage that cushions the joint. It is progressive and not curable. Age and weight affect severity.

What home remedies are there?

Weight loss and light exercise will help for mild cases. Massage, heat, and an orthopedic bed will help.

Are there any new treatments?

Veterinarians have a variety of new drugs to fight this common problem. They fall into two main categories: nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

There are three goals in treating arthritis:

Put the fire out! Here we use a new class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Treat the disease! This strategy uses disease-modifying drugs such as Adequan. This chemical blocks the bad enzymes, stops inflammation, protects against further cartilage damage, and then stimulates new healthy cartilage growth. This is a must in any treatment regimen.
Maintain the health of the joint. We do that with nutraceuticals like chondroitin sulfate and glucosamines. This provides the diseased joint the basic nutrients it needs to repair and stay healthy. You can buy these over the counter at any drugstore, But they vary widely in their quality. This one, Cosequin, is highly regulated and works very well. Your veterinarian can get this for you.

What cautions are there with these drugs?

Cautions include not using human medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen or acetaminophen in cats! Aspirin can cause fatal stomach irritation in cats, and cats cannot metabolize acetaminophen, causing toxicity.