When we mention arthritis pain, for many owners the first thing that comes to mind is pain medication. However, there are several other natural and less invasive factors that make up a large part of arthritis pain relief.
The basis of arthritis pain management includes 1) a healthy body weight and 2) daily, moderate exercise. These natural management strategies are also good for the patient’s cardiovascular and general health. Patients that are overweight experience more stress and trauma to the joints, which leads to inflammation and pain – painful dogs don’t want to exercise, they gain more weight, and the cycle continues.
Joints are somewhat similar to a pump; motion drives wastes out of the joint and brings nutrients in where they should be. This is why daily, moderate exercise – meaning a walk around the neighborhood – is so important to arthritis management. Arthritic patients should avoid extremes, meaning the couch potato and the “weekend warrior.”
Next in line for arthritis management are joint supplements. Our preferred and highly effective Dasuquin, by Nutramax Laboratories, provides glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM (methysulfonymethane) for joint fluid and cartilage support. Dasuquin also contains their proprietary Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) which inhibit the expression of several agents involved in cartilage breakdown. Other joint supplements just don’t compare to the efficacy and research behind veterinary-specific Dasuquin.
Next are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for relief of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis changes. Our preferred products are veterinary-specific Previcox, Rimadyl and its generic, Carprofen. These medications have proven to be effective and safe, with minimal side effects due to their specific targeting of inflammatory pathways and sparing of the vital organs. These medications can be used daily, but many patients only require them on “bad days” or after overdoing the exercise.
*Human medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are not recommended for use in veterinary patients due to the risk of serious side effects, and should be avoided.
Finally, the least-used remedy for arthritis pain are opiates, or narcotic pain medications. These are reserved for severe cases or for patients that do not tolerate NSAIDs or are on medications that may interact with NSAIDs.
Our doctors at Advanced Veterinary Care can tailor an arthritis pain management plan specific to your pet’s needs. We believe in multi-modal pain management to provide the safest and most effective treatment plan for your beloved pet. If you have a furry family member in need of an arthritis consult, please do not hesitate to schedule him or her an appointment with one of our caring doctors!
