No pet should suffer arthritis pain and stiffness, but what is the best medication to use to control arthritis symptoms? If your answer came from the “Systematic review of clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs” which evaluated nearly 400 studies to conclude that research supports the use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Meloxicam (Metacam), Carprofen (Rimadyl), and Etodolac (EtoGesic), you would use one of these NSAIDs for your pet. On the other hand, if you examined the side effects of these medications, which include kidney failure, liver problems, dry eye, and stomach ulcers, you would use NSAIDs sparingly. And that is the safest approach for most pets.
The best treatment strategy for pets with arthritis is to use:
· injectable chondroprotective, Adequan(Rx), twice a year,
· chondroprotectives daily, and
· NSAIDsfor markedly painful days.
How else can we help pets with arthritis?
We can do far more to help arthritic pets than simply giving medications, and here are 7 suggestions for additional ways to decrease pain and suffering of arthritic pets:
1. Don’t let pets get fat. Heavy pets suffer much more joint pain than thin pets suffer, and heavy pets require more medication to become comfortable.
2. Exercise pets frequently but for short periods and without encouraging stressful activity. For example, swim pets rather than take them hill climbing.
3. Massage pets and focus on acupuncture points that relieve pain. (We'll cover these points some time in the near future.)
4. Use homeopathic medications to treat pain, such as Traumeel and Zeel, Arnica, and Bryonia.
5. Increase Omega 3 fatty acids to control inflammation.
6. Feed as much real food as possible. That is, if you can tell what is in the food when you look at it (Chicken liver looks like what it is, but prepared kibble looks like what?), the food contains more of the antioxidants and healing nutrients pets need.
7. Provide a warm, supportive bed.
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