Pet Health Guide - Joints

Joint capsules absorb the everyday forces of shock and impact as your pet is in motion. The intra-articular cartilage that is surrounded by the joint capsule and located between bone ends prevents bones from damaging one another during movement. However, articular cartilage is less dense than bone and becomes worn down with age. Cartilage can also prematurely wear away due to injury, poor conformation, or genetic predisposition.

Additional factors such as obesity or continuous and strenuous activity can cause further trauma to delicate joints and wear away the protective cartilage layer. Regardless of the cause, any reduction of cartilage produces irritation and inflammation that can result in the development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is appropriate to think of arthritis of the bones (osteoarthritis) as degenerative joint disease (DJD).

The body’s natural response to this degenerative joint process is to deposit additional bone where there once was protective cartilage. This new bone remodeling and resurfacing results in various stages of debilitation with resulting pain, stiffness, lameness, tissue swelling, decreased activity and abnormal gaits.

Treatment

Prescription joint medications are designed to work at the cellular level to inhibit the mediating factors of inflammation. These are primarily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that target different pathways the body takes in developing the precursors of arthritis. While they do little to replace or repair damaged cartilage, they reduce those mediating factors that contribute to further joint cartilage erosion. Some research has shown that the use of NSAID’s can mask the symptoms of DJD and cause further degradation of the cartilage matrix.

Joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondrotin sulfate stimulate cartilage producing cells (chondrocytes) to repair and rebuild cartilage tissues. Therefore, giving the highest quality and purified forms of glucosamine and chondroitin are essential to guaranteeing proper cartilage replacement, mobility and protection.

The addition of MSM provides a supplemental source of sulfur. Sulfur contributes to proper joint function while improving the biomechanics of joint motion. Likewise, green lipped mussel (Perna Canaliculus) is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin which provides compression resistance, dissipates joint stress and loading forces. Manganese sulfate is essential for natural joint production of glucosamine, while Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient for the production of connective tissue and collagen production.

Ideally, it is best to prevent the cycle of degenerative joint disease at an early stage. Diminishing the impact upon joints, by providing essential supplementation and nutrients, can help maintain joint health over the life of your pet. However, the key to remember is that not all joint supplements are created equally and therefore deliver a wide spectrum of results.

Joint supplements are classified by the FDA as a nutraceutical. Nutraceuticals are usually derived from edible food materials and are either pharmaceutically concentrated, like fish oil, or pharmaceutically extracted, like glucosamine. In a recently (2007) completed FDA study of joint supplement nutraceuticals, more than half of all tested joint compounds failed to pass minimum standards of joint protection and were deemed inaccurately labeled with product ingredients and omissions.

At Pets Rx we feature only those joint supplements that have certified 100% pharmaceutical grade ingredients backed by clinical research and supportive trials. Having successfully dispensed these highly purified joint formulations on various stages of osteoarthritis, we believe and trust your pet will benefit from these recommended joint supplements.

If you need assistance in deciding which non-prescription joint supplement is right for your pet, we will assist in evaluating the product best suited for your pet. Manufacturer and independent laboratory analysis for purity and content is always available upon request.

Arthritis Medications for Dogs (Rx Prescription Medication)

• Aspirin
• Deramaxx
• Etogesic
• Metacam
• Previcox
• Rimadyl
• Zubrin

Joint Supplementations for Dogs

• Cosequin
• Dasuquin
• GLC 1000
• Gyco-Flex
  • Glyco-Flex I Tablets & Chews
  • Glyco-Flex II Tablets & Chews
  • Glyco-Flex III Tablets & Chews
• Missing Link Plus Formula
• Missing Link Plus Professional Strength Veterinary Formula
• Promotion
• SOD & Bosweillia Tablets
• Synovi-G3 Low Allergen Granules
• Synovi-G3 Soft Chews

Arthritis & Joint Medications for Cats

• Cosequin
• Dasuquin
  • Glyco-Flex I & II Tablets
  • Glyco-Flex II Chews
• Promotion
  • SOD & Bosweillia Tablets