Arthritis treatment for Dogs

There are new advances being made with treatments in dog health for arthritis. One of the latest advancements is in stem cell therapy. Tissue fat is removed from the dog and sent to a lab where the stem cells are processed and concentrated. The stem cells are implanted back into the dog's body to heal their joints.

This therapy has been used for animal health since 2003 on horses, to help them recover from tendon and other injuries. Since then over 700 dogs have received treatments. The surgery requires approximately 50 grams of fat to be removed, generally from the abdomen. A dog must be healthy enough to have this type of surgery.

This type of treatment is not regulated by the government because it involves removing and replacing cells from the same animal. There has been no extensive studies done on this before it came on the market. The cost is usually around $2500.00 for the procedure.

There are a number of remedies to assist with the pain that comes from dog arthritis. Perhaps the most popular one is Glucosamine. This has been widely used for many cartilage and disc degeneration conditions including osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, spondylitis, and osteochondritis. It protects, restores and helps with inflammation.

Bovine and shark cartilage have also been used in treating various types of arthritis in dogs. Both of these have been used in humans, horses, dogs and cats for treating osteoarthritis.

The New Zealand perna mussel (perna canaliculus) has shown great results in reducing pain and inflammation from arthritis and has also been used for over20 years in both humans and animals. The perna mussel also improves the lubrication in the joint and the elasticity of the connective tissue.

A factor that is sometimes overlooked is the proper functioning of the GI system. Different forms of illness, injury and stress can alter the microflora, pH value and digestive processes. Providing a good probiotic prevents further ill health and a delay in healing. An older dog would benefit from this regardless of any injury or illness.

Despite a decrease in mobility, a dog with arthritis needs to keep moving just like their human counterparts. Exercise is extremely important to halt the progression of arthritis, keep the joints lubricated and stress levels down. The best form of exercise for an arthritic dog is hydrotherapy. The buoyancy of water allows for pain free movement, and can add years to their life. Anything that adds more quality years is worth it!

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Some informational links:

The Penn Hip organization (information on hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis)

Complementary, Alternative and Holistic Veterinary Medicine (information on alternative and holistic treatments)

Old Dog Paws Arthritis Information

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