a supplement to add to my dogs food

Question
i have just found out that my 4 yr old staffy dj has arthiritis in his hips is there anything i can add to his food to help his joints and if so where will i get some or any other remedies you may suggest
thanks
louise

Answer
Hi Louise,

It is usually possible to improve the quality of life for arthritic pets a great deal, through nutrition, exercise, pain relief, and weight management.

Regular moderate exercise, weight control, are two of the most important things you can do for your arthritic dog. Daily exercise should include low-impact exercises such as swimming (if possible)or walking on a leash. Not only will this help increase his mobility and muscle strength, this will also help his overall health and happiness. Start out slowly, and increase the amount of time you exercise your dog over a period of time.
It is hard to overstate the importance of weight control. In at least one study in dogs weight control was more beneficial than any of the medications used in controlling disability and pain associated with degenerative joint disease.

Giving a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement helps about 25% of the dogs who receive it for the symptoms of arthritis. Brands to look for are Cosequin, Arthroflex, Gluco-Tabs, Glyco-Flex (amongst others). Glucosamine/chondroitin supplements are said to be beneficial in reducing inflammation associated with degenerative joint diseases over the long term. However, it must be given daily for at least a month or two before you can expect to see any benefits. During that first two month period of using the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, continue with whatever pain control therapy you're using, since you don't want your dog to be in any pain.
The dosage for glucosamine is 500mg/25 lbs of body weight (or 20mg/lb) and the dosage of chondroitin is about 400mg/25 lbs of body weight, or about (16mg/lb) per
day. In most cases it is recommended that the
dosage be split and given half in the morning and half at night. At the present time, chondroitin appears to
be the more active of these two substances, so it would probably be best to use a medication containing both ingredients or to use chondroitin if you choose between them.

There is also an injectable form of glucosamine, called Adequan or Cartrophen.

Vitamin E is reported to have moderate anti-inflammatory properties and it does seem to some dogs. The most consistently recommended anti-inflammatory dosage I have seen is 2000 IU/day/dog for large dogs. It is usually necessary to build up to this dose over a few weeks to avoid inducing diarrhea or other side effects. Since this is a fat soluble vitamin excessive dosing could lead to problems so it would be best to stick to this level, or less, when supplementing. If in doubt, talk to your vet.

There is an approved Vitamin E/Selenium product especially for dogs called Selotoc. Following its dosage guidelines it would be necessary to give 34 IU of Vitamin E and 0.5mg of selenium per 10 lbs. of body weight, or about 5mg of selenium and 300 IU of Vitamin E for your size dog. The dosage may vary according to the formulation of the product

You should discuss the use of any of these supplements with your vet. He (or she) knows your dog best, and might have other helpful suggestions.

Some days will be better than others for your dog. Speak to your vet regarding the kind of pain relief best suited for your dog's condition.
Buffered aspirin can be used safely for long periods in many dogs BUT can cause gastro-intestinal upset in some dogs. This can lead to ulcers if signs of the problem are ignored. If you give your dog buffered aspirin, and he stops eating it is imperative that you stop giving the aspirin and contact your vet if the loss of appetite lasts for more than one day.

For that reason buffered aspirin isn't recommended for dogs in chronic pain. Rimadyl, and Etodolac are two very good medications for arthritis. It is best to monitor
pets for liver and kidney damage prior to starting these medications and then to recheck these values if chronic use is anticipated.
Rimadyl or Etodolac can be used solely on a "as needed" basis for pain control. They can make a huge difference in the comfort level of a dog with arthritis and are amongst the best non-steroidal medication for this condition.

Elevated feeders for food and water help to eliminate stress on neck and back muscles.
Dog ramps or stair steps are a great aid in helping arthritic dogs get onto (or down from) their favorite sofa or chair. If he sleeps in your bed, a foot stool at the side or bottom of the bed might be helpful for him to gain access to the bed, instead of jumping.

Providing him a good bed such as egg crate mattresses, heated beds, or special needs beds (orthopedic bed) may help relieve some of your dog's morning stiffness. A bed with soft, thick padding will help cushion bones. A circulating warm-water heating pad under the blanket can provide added warmth. To avoid burning the skin, never place your dog directly on the heating pad. Your vet can give guidance on what type bedding he feels is best for your dog.

If you live in an area that has a cold winter, like people, dogs with arthritis can experience more discomfort when in a cold, damp environment, so try to keep your dog in a warm and dry area of your home.

Gentle massage can be used to increase blood flow to the arthritic areas before activity, and to decrease stiffness after activity. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to correctly massage around affected joints.

Acupuncture is another option that appears to help some dogs with arthritis. You can locate a certified veterinary acupuncturist here:
http://www.ivas.org/member_search.cfm

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti