Can Dog Arthritis Supplements Cause Allergies in Dogs?

Generally, supplements are a safe way to treat dog arthritis. However, there are cases where supplements have caused diarrhea, vomiting, or a itching in dog’s skin. These are common indications that your supplement may be causing an allergic reaction. 

Allergies occur when your dog is exposed to an allergen (antigen) frequently. Below is a list of common allergens that could be found in your dog arthritis supplement:

• Animal protein from beef, chicken, or pork, especially cow or pig liver or
• Other natural flavorings
• Shellfish

An allergic reactions only develop when your dog has been exposed to something before. This means a dog cannot be allergic to something it has never had before.  This simple piece of information can help dog owners apply a method to screen which supplements are safe for their pet. 

With a trial and error approach, dog owners can identify the cause of the allergic reaction. Below is a simple guide:

    * Make sure to feed your dog one type of food that will not cause an allergic reaction.

    * For 4 weeks, use Adequan or Cartrophen.  These drugs are normally safe for allergic dogs. You can read previous posts on these drugs.

    * You can then give an oral dog arthritis supplement. I suggest you follow the order I have made for supplements to test.

         1. Dasuquin. It is only logical to test the best supplement first. Nonetheless, Dasuquin may get a reaction from allergic dogs since it contains beef and shellfish.

         2. Synovi G3 low allergen granules. This is made from a “novel marine protein”. These are hard to find.

         3. Deva Vegan Glucosamine with MSM and CMO. It is made from vegetables so it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than animal protein sources.

         4. Omega-3 Supplements. The best kinds are the ones made from fish oil such as Welactin, but if your dog is allergic to fish he may react to these. Omega 3 supplements can also be taken from flax seed - a good source vegetable Omega 3. Read my previous post on Flax seed before using this!

    * Administer the chosen dog arthritis supplements for 2 weeks. Do not change anything in your dog’s diet. If your dog starts to scratch or develops stomach problems then your dog may have an allergy to the supplement. Stop using the supplement. Wait for your dog to recover. The restart the process with a different supplement.

When I first tried this on my pet, it took a while before I was able to discover the safest dog arthritis supplement.  As a vet, I share with my clients the importance of patience in this process. Although it may be hard at first, your dog’s health and happiness, when you find a dog arthritis supplement that is safe to administer, is truly priceless.

Causes of Allergies in Dogs (PDF)

Knowing Your Dog Arthritis Medication: Glucosamine

Used for over 20 years to treat arthritis in people, dogs with arthritis are now enjoying the pain-relieving benefits of glucosamine as well. Since the product is so reliable, and has little or no unwanted effects, the issue isn’t whether or not your dog should be having glucosamine for dog arthritis, yet which brand he should be taking.

Determining the proper brand of glucosamine isn’t merely an advertising or marketing choice. There are a few essential differences regarding the various glucosamine brands, and those distinctions are worth thinking about.

Prime Concerns When Considering Glucosamine for Dog Arthritis

• Which brand is best?

• Where should you purchase glucosamine?

• Similarities with human brands

• Quality Concerns

• Dosage Considerations

• Glucosamine kinds

Primary Brands

Different brands of glucosamine are always being released, but the best option is always to stick with one of these long-time recognized brands:

• Cosequin and Dasuquin
• Glyco-Flex
• Synflex
• Hills JD
• Royal Canin Joint & Coat Care (dog food which is supplemented with glucosamine)

Perfect Places to purchase Glucosamine for Dogs

Along with getting glucosamine for dog arthritis from the vet, you will find many of the major brands sold at pet retailers and on the internet at several locations such as Amazon.com.

Similarities with Human Glucosamine

There are a variety of glucosamine products utilized to treat humans with arthritis. A few brands, such as Synflex are used by both humans and dogs. When you can discover a glucosamine product that’s promoted to humans, and it has the identical ingredients as the glucosamine product you might be considering for your dog, there’s not any harm in buying it. But be aware that there may not be any studies available indicating that the product may be successfully used to remedy dog arthritis.

There may be several variations in the human product’s formula in which do not offer benefits to dog. Flax seed, for example, is an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids for humans, however not really for dogs. Dogs respond better to the Omega 3 found in fish oils.

Quality Issues

The unregulated supplement market can be compared to the Wild West. You can find both good and bad guys in the same area. A current pharmacy school study determined that 80% of the glucosamine products analyzed failed to have the promoted quantity of glucosamine in them. This is why it really is essential to be with established brand names.

Dosage Issues

Recommended dosages change broadly among manufacturers. It's usually better to go over dosage specifications with your veterinarian.

Glucosamine Varieties

Together with a minimum of five various kinds of glucosamine on the market, deciding on the best variety for your dog may be confusing. Glucosamine HCl is the best.

Your Next Action

Visit my blog for more information. Consult with your veterinarian to see if a glucosamine product will help reduce the pain and inflammation related to dog arthritis.

Dog Arthritis Medication (PDF)

Distinguishing Between Spinal Problems and Dog Arthritis

Dog arthritis and spinal problems are very similar in terms of symptoms. Nonetheless, they are different problems and require different types of treatment, so it is vital to make the distinction.

Are you noticing your dog is stiffer after sleeping or not as playful as much as it used to? This may mean that your pet has dog arthritis. However, it could also mean that it may have a spinal problem. Many spinal conditions share the same symptoms with dog arthritis. In addition, the areas susceptible to dog arthritis are susceptible to spinal problems. 

Here are common spinal problems observed in dogs:

• Lumbrosacral disease, most commonly an instability of one or several discs in the lower spine which puts pressure on the nerves and spinal cord
• Spondylosis, a spinal condition of (mostly) older dogs where the disks fuse together. The condition  is usually symptom of another health issue.
• Intevertebral disc degeneration that causes the discs in the spine to deteriorate and rupture
• Wobbler’s syndrome causes dogs to have an unstable gait. It is a misalignment or instability of vertebrae in the neck that will compress the spinal cord,
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) involves abnormal changes in the cartilage at the ends of the vertebra.

Generally, dogs with a spinal problem will move slower, hobble, and have trouble getting up. They can also lose their appetite and become short-tempered. Since these dogs have some mobility issues, they may start having accidents.  

Identifying the Correct Condition

Proprioception is a simple way for dog owners to identify whether their dog has a spinal problem or dogs arthritis. The first thing you do is to lift your dog under its hind legs and curl the foot under the leg. Then lower your dog slowly. When the top part of the paw touches the ground (this also called knuckling), observe if your dog seems to notice or care. If your dog feels nothing and makes no attempt to place the foot in the right position, it is possible your pet has a spinal problem.      

In this situation it would be best to go to a vet so that he or she can perform the right neurological exams to diagnose the specific spinal problem your dog is afflicted with.

A spinal problem is a life-threatening condition. So when you see the early signs of it, immediately seek professional advice.  

Spinal problem treatment differs from one vet to another. However, most treatments will utilize a combination of muscle relaxants, painkillers, and anti inflammatory drugs. 

Regular visits to the vet are very important. Where you have two similar conditions, having the right diagnosis will save your pet’s life. Whether dog arthritis or a spinal problem, your pet should be given the medical treatment it deserves.

Spinal Problems and Dog Arthritis (PDF)

Human Tablets for Dog Arthritis Medication

Dogs get arthritis and it is a debilitating and common disease for people as well. The human medications for treating dog arthritis are very similar and some can be used for dog arthritis treatment. Just remember there are always exceptions waiting to catch you off guard, so be especially careful. I want to show you which ones you can use and which ones to avoid (and there are plenty).

Anti-Inflammatories

The list of human anti-inflammatories is very long and I will not list them here. Avoid any except the ones I mention below.

Please remember that the anti-inflammatories specifically developed for dogs are much better. They have been tried and tested many times over and have a track record of safety. For the cat owners also note that there are no safe doses for most of these medications for cats so please use veterinary alternatives.

Aspirin

Aspirin in all of its various forms is a very common medication for humans and dog arthritis. The dosage of buffered aspirin is 10 to  25 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours and best taken with food.

The problems with aspirin is its long washout period. The washout period is the time that you have to wait before you can safely administer another anti-inflammatory, which for aspirin (even after a single dose) is 1-2  weeks. The other problem associated with aspirin use is its tendency to create stomach ulcers which have a high occurrence rate with long term use, also even with buffered aspirin.

Meloxicam

Meloxicam is best recognized by its medical trade name Mobic as well as a few other generic medications. In the veterinary profession the equivalent drug is Metacam. Meloxicam is a highly effective anti-inflammatory and is given in these dosage amounts:

On the first day give a dosage of 0.2 mg/ per kg weight by mouth accompanied with food, and administered once daily.

After the first day give 0.1 mg/ per kg weight  by mouth accompanied with food, once daily.

The only problem with Meloxicam human tablets is you need to be almost exact with the dose and the tablets are usually 7.5mg and 15mg. tablets and don’t always divide into a even dose for the canines weight. Metacam is a liquid so dosing is accurate and easy to measure.

Etodalac

Etodalac is a good anti-inflammatory its medical trade name Lodine, or in the veterinary world as Eto-Gesic. For treatment of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis dose at 10-15 mg/ per kg weight once daily. With small dogs it is very hard to dose accurately. Etodalac. Etodalac cannot be used with any kind of dog aspirin.

Pain Killers

Acetaminophen + Codeine

These two human drugs come in many forms one such form is Tylenol. They seem to work better together and recent evidence suggests that acetaminophen is also synergistic as with the anti-inflammatories. The dosage combination is (60 mg) codeine and (300 mg) acetaminophen made in tablet form. Tylenol is  given at 1 to 2 mg/ per kg weight of the codeine by mouth every 8hours.

The problem with acetaminophen is that it has caused much toxicity in dogs and it would be fair to say it is not as safe a drug as it is for humans. I would speak to your veterinarian before using for your dog and never use it in cats.

So When Do I Use These Drugs?

The two common situations that I see a need for people to reach for these human medications:

In an emergency or late night situation. Maybe you’re out of drugs or your dog isn’t on dog arthritis medication but suddenly needs something for discomfort. Maybe he needs a little extra and Tylenol is the safest option but always ask your vet first.

Cost. The human generic forms of meloxicam can be lesser and It is the same drug but dosage wise can be inaccurate because the tablets can only be divided up in various ways and amounts. The dog version (Metacam) is best because it is in a liquid form which allows for easier and accurate dosing.

Use the prescribed drugs when possible - the safety data is available and you can always get assistance from your veterinarian. When using human drugs do it sparingly and on advice from your veterinarian to help your dogs arthritis.

Subscribe to my RSS feed and download my E-book Dog Arthritis Survival Guide. Its better to know the right dose and proper medication for different medical treatments for your pet.

Download our PDF file here.

Dog Arthritis Therapy Part 2: Basics in Weight-Bearing Exercises

Dog arthritis causes pain in the joints, which makes it very difficult for your pet to move. When your dog becomes immobile, this will lead to other ailments. That is why it is important find ways to keep your pet active. Of course, this will not be a simple task. Nonetheless, with the correct application of dog physical therapy and arthritis pain exercises for dogs, your pet’s arthritis symptoms may be reduced and recovery from an invasive surgical treatment can be both improved and shortened.

There are two main objectives in dog arthritis treatment. First, symptoms such as pain and inflammation must be lowered. Second, muscle atrophy must be prevented. In the first stages of the treatment, massage and passive flexibility exercises are utilized. 

When your dog is able to stand and walk without much difficulty, you may want to help him along by utilizing weight-bearing exercises. As with any dog physical therapy and dog arthritis remedies you need to be mindful not to overdo these exercises as it can undermine the recovery of your dog. Listed below are great examples of weight-bearing activities:

• Platform feeding. This aims in strengthening the muscles in the hind legs.
• Assisted standing and walking is a fun way to strengthen your dog’s hind legs. Hold up your dog’s front limbs and dance away.
• Aversion techniques. Attach weights to one of your dog’s legs. The animal will naturally try to fling the weight off. Add heavier weights as your dog gets stronger.
• Manual unloading. You raise your dogs opposite or diagonal leg. This places more weight on the leg that needs to heal
• Therapy ball exercises. Either the front or back legs are supported on a therapy ball so the legs on the ground get to carry the majority of your dog’s body weight.
• Treadmill. A good activity and you can control the speed.
• Water therapy. The water provides the needed resistance at the same time the buoyancy helps to reduce the load on the legs

These routines are effective ways of increasing the weight-bearing capacity of your dog’s limbs.  They also aid in the improvement of your dog’s muscle strength, limb function, joint range of motion, as well as coordination.

Under the guidance of your vet or a licensed dog therapist, you can carry out these exercises correctly. With that, you are reducing the pain related to dog arthritis and having a considerable positive effect for both you and your dogs physical and psychological wellbeing.

Weight-Bearing Exercises (PDF) 

A Helpful Overview of Dog Arthritis

Comprehending Dog Arthritis

There are over 9 million dogs in the US that are distressed with arthritis and it is probable that your dog may have it. Here’s a little overview of what the dog arthritis epidemic is.

Dog Arthritis Related to Aging

There are some breeds of dogs that experience lower incidence of arthritis while most dogs are prone to it especially as they age. There is no conclusion as to the principal causes of arthritis, but one leading cause is to aging where the cartilage as the dog age tends to hold back the chemical absorption being released by the body especially when an injury occurs. Once these chemicals are blocked, the healing process is stalled which can result in cartilage deterioration and malfunctioning of joints.

Dog Arthritis Caused by Joint-related Conditions

The flux of the joints is a condition which arises when ligaments break or sprained. If this happens, the ligaments no longer can accommodate the joints properly which allows the joints to move outside their borders.

An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament part of the knee (cranial) is a common condition; and dogs that have these pains in their hind legs may be experiencing an anterior cruciate injury.

The joints’ failure to fit together is a type of condition which is known as joint incongruity, which results from a scarred cartilage caused when a bone gets fractured, a malformed cartilage, fusion of the bones are not combined properly, or the knee caps not staying in their normal place.

Clown Joints

You may have heard the term clown joints. It’s another term for a poor conformation especially to those small dogs whose feet are pointed sideways like that of a clown’s feet. The term conformation refers to the arrangement of the joints. Its abnormality creates an unequal tear on the cartilage and contributes to the dog arthritis condition. Joint inflammation which results from infections or illnesses like the rheumatoid arthritis also has a huge impact on joints.

It’s Not Always about Aging

There may be a connection between aging and arthritis to dogs as well as humans, but there are a lot of younger dogs that are also affected with dogs arthritis. In cases like these, it is advisable to bring your dog to the vet for proper examination because your dog deserves a better life and pain-free.

Download our PDF file here.

Dog Arthritis Treatment after Knee Surgery - Physical Therapy and Exercise Can Help - Part 2

Weight Bearing & Platform Feeding 

You can hold the good leg up off the ground to encourage weight bearing on the operated leg. Don't overdo this - start with a few seconds and work up to two minutes.

Feed your dog on a raised platform (1-1 1/2 feet off the ground) so he has to stand with more weight on the hind legs to eat.

Stair Climbing 

Controlled climbing up stairs is fantastic exercise for the hind legs.

Dancing 

Have a dance with your dog! Standing up on the hind legs to dance with you will encourage strength and weight bearing.

Sit-Stand Exercises 

This is like squats but you need an obedient dog! Have your dog sit but as his bottom is about to touch the ground ask him to stand again. You can repeat this for as long as he can tolerate, working up to two minutes.

Figure Eight Patterns 

Walk your dog in tight figure of eight patterns, switching directions regularly.

Water Play 

Hydrotherapy, underwater treadmills and swimming can all help to strengthen legs after surgery.

Other Treatments 

Therapeutic ultrasound, pulsed signal therapy, heat or cold can also be helpful.

Don't Forget About Pain Relief 

Always remember that these exercises can be sore, especially the first few times. It never hurts to give pain relief and you will usually achieve better, quicker results if your dog is comfortable through these procedures.

For more information read my article on Articlebase - it debunks some of the myths around exercise and dog arthritis treatment

Dog Arthritis Treatment - Part 2 (PDF)

Dog Arthritis Joint By Joint Part 2 - The Hind Legs

 Thank you for reading Part 2 of this article on common joint problems. Dogs really do give their joints a strenuous workout and dog arthritis is unfortunately a very common occurrences. Let’s continue our tour in Part 2, joint by joint through the common hind leg problems that can lead to dog arthritis.

Please note this is only a summary, I don’t have the time to detail each disease but the common ones you will find on other posts on my blog.

Hip Joint

One of the most common causes of hip joint problems in canines is hip dysplasia, a problem in development of the hip joint (coxofemoral joint) that occurs during your pet’s growing years. Lets put it all in a nutshell; the ball of the femur does not fit properly into the hip socket joint and the joint is looser than it should be. Most affected dogs show no signs of this condition, while others may develop signs as dog arthritis develops and sets in.

Other hip joint problems include:

• Hip dislocations known as ( Coxofemoral Luxations )
• Disease causing a deformity of the femoral head resulting in lameness (Legge-Perthes)

Knee (Stifle)

As in the case with humans, your dog’s knee joint is the articulation between the femur and the fibula / tibia. The stability of the knee joint comes from the surrounding soft tissue and muscles. The dogs knee is susceptible to a number of injuries, including:

• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture, a tearing of the knee ligaments that lap over to deep inside a dog’s knee. Very common!
• Caudal Cruciate Ligament Injury, similar to the cranial cruciate ligament injury.
• Collateral Ligament Injury, injury to the ligaments on each side of the knee joint
• Multiple Ligament Injuries to both sides of the knee.
•  Meniscal Injury, a torn knee cartilage is also very common in the joints!
• Patellar Luxation, a displacement of the kneecap, usually towards the middle (medial).
• Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Stifle. Cartilage from the knee detaches and causes dogarthritis.

Hock or Ankle (Tarsus)

The dog hock joint is the equivalent of our ankle. One of the most common hock problems is OCD (osteochondritis dissecans), which means, as seen in the shoulder and the elbow, a small wedge piece of bone or cartilage has come loose in a young dog’s joint, resulting in inflammation, irritation and pain.

However, when examining your dog with hock pain or swelling, your veterinarian will also consider the following in order to make a correct diagnosis:

• Ligamentous injury of the Tarsus,  a sprained ankle!  
• Achilles tendon injuries also occur and are very similar to what people suffer from

Other Joint Problems

Not all joint problems are specific to a particular joint. Inflammatory arthritis is common in people as rheumatoid arthritis. Thankfully this disease is far less common in animals but they do suffer from a similar condition called immune mediated polyarthritis which can be painful and debilitating.

 

Cancer can sometimes be seen too. While not common in canine joints, bone cancer sometimes occurs around the knee, shoulder and wrist resulting. There will be no arthritis with bone cancer but a severe lameness in which the pain is virtually uncontrollable.

Dog joint problems should always be taken very seriously, as early intervention and treatment by your veterinarian can prevent or slow the associated onset of dogs arthritis. Please read my blog and you can ask me any questions in the comments section below.

Dog Arthritis Joint By Joint Part 2  (PDF)

Let’s Get Physical: Pet Weight Management for Dog Arthritis

 

Weight loss is among the things that may have an immediate impact on canines experiencing the pain and swelling of dog arthritis. However it is usually the most difficult things to undertake.

Reducing your dog’s weight helps in two ways:

• It lowers the stress on the joints as well as the muscles that reinforce those joints. So when you lower the stress on those joints, you allow them an opportunity to recover.
• It will reduce the soreness caused by arthritis. Fat is currently proven to worsen various kinds of chronic inflammation including arthritis – it is not just benign flab but is already considered as pro-inflammatory.

Thus reducing your dog’s weight will enhance mobility and reduce pain for your pet. Dogs are influenced by similar weight loss problems that people go through. However, unlike you, your dog can’t choose what he will take and just how much food he will consume. That’s your decision.

Listed below are the three elements you want to focus on:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Weight loss–related behaviors and attitudes

Diet

The food that your dog consumes, and the amount they eat, is one of several keys to managing weight. Your target is to give foods that have a high dietary value without the need for bringing a great deal of fat-based and high calorie fillers.

Listed here are some dog diet tips that work especially effectively for pets struggling with dog arthritis:

• Feed smaller quantities of food several times per day, rather than two large feedings per day.
• Choose food that's high in protein and fiber. This allows your dog feel fuller after every meal as well as supplies significantly of his daily nutritional needs.
• Check out the calorie and fat levels in the food. Choose the kinds with the lowest of each yet attempt to retain protein levels high to maintain muscle mass.

Dog Arthritis Exercise Points

Dogs, similar to people, tend to have less exercise as they age. Regrettably, more aged dogs are also more predisposed to getting dog arthritis. That’s why it is essential for you to assist your dog acquire all the physical activity they need.

Here’s are some tips for effective dog exercises:

• Walk your dog on the leash at least twice per day. Stairs, hill walks and treadmills will be very effective.
• If your dog gets along well with other dogs, take your pet to a dog park and let him run.
• Take your dog swimming.
• Play catch or other games such as jumping through hoops for a great cardio workout!
• Perform dog dancing

Weight Loss–Related Behaviors and Attitudes

These ideas are more for you than for your dog!

• Dogs usually eat more when you’re around them, so try to leave him meals when you are not at home.
• Dogs eat more when they are stressed, so keep his stress levels down by giving him exercise and playing with him.
• Dogs look forward to eating. It’s a big part of their day. They are not going to reduce the amount they eat all by themselves. It’s up to you.

 

Dog arthritis cannot be cured by diet and exercise; nonetheless it will make the disease easier for you and your dog to live with.

Pet Weight Management (PDF)

A Summary of Elbow Dysplasia & Dog Arthritis

Elbow dysplasia is the abnormal development of parts of the elbow. It is believed that elbow dysplasia is genetic and this disorder tends to affect larger breeds of dogs like Labradors, German Shepherd, Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers. Elbow dysplasia is a serious and debilitating cause of dog arthritis as we will discuss.

Signs of elbow dysplasia start appearing from 5 months old to 12 months of age but are often not fully appreciated until later in life. Dogs affected by elbow dysplasia suffer from lameness, swelling and arthritis in one or often both elbows.

Elbow dysplasia can be evident in several ways including:

Fragmented Coronoid Process –occurs when a small wedge of bone from the ulna (the long bone in the foreleg) at the bottom of the elbow fails to fuse with the ulna.

Ununited Aconeal Process –occurs when a small wedge of bone at the top of the ulna fails to fuse during growth. 

Osteochondritis of the Elbow –occurs when cartilage fragments become loose from the elbow and float around in the joint.

Elbow Joint Incongruity – occurs when the surface of the joint becomes bumpy, instead of smooth, causing friction around the cartilage.

Symptoms of Elbow Dysplasia

Dogs suffering from this condition show signs of dog arthritis. They may appear stiff after a rest, licks frequently over the elbow area and are usually less active. The affected elbow(s) will show signs of swelling and pain and they will be lame some or all of the time. If these signs are showing in a younger dog, there is a high probability that the dog is suffering from elbow dysplasia.

Diagnosis of the Elbow Dysplasia

Veterinarians diagnose dog elbow dysplasia after running a variety of tests. X-rays are very useful in showing dog arthritis and spotting joint incongruity. More and more commonly used is arthroscopy – a joint endoscope that is inserted to the affected area as a means of diagnosing (and in some cases treating) elbow dysplasia. The last option is MRI which is very helpful for diagnosis but often not used unless surgery is a consideration.

A proper diagnosis allows proper treatment, which will hopefully slow or prevent the development of dog arthritis. Visit my blog http://www.dogarthritisblog.info/ for more information on dog arthritis and what can be done to control this common and debilitating condition.

Elbow Dysplasia & Dog Arthritis (PDF)