Dog Questions

Arthritis is can be a debilitating and often painful disease and finding the right arthritic dog medicine to ease the pain and hopefully reverse the condition is likely very important to you and your dog. In this article titled “Finding The Best Arthritic Dog Medicine” we will cover both conventional treatment for osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) as well as a few beneficial natural alternatives.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint condition requiring an arthritic dog medicine. In this condition the joint cartilage deteriorates from general wear and tear leading to a buildup of fluid in the joint and the formation of outgrowths around the joint.

The conventional approach is to ease the pain and reduce inflammation through the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroid medications. While effective as a temporary solution to pain and inflammation both treatments carry the risk of side effects and should only be given for short periods of time. Another negative is that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit cartilage synthesis and accelerate cartilage destruction.

In our search for the best arthritis dog medicine the above paragraph is not good news with conventional arthritis dog medicine providing temporary relief at the expense of accelerating long term deterioration. Now let’s move on to see whether a natural approach could provide a more enduring solution.

Finding the best arthritis dog medicine from a naturopathic perspective revolves around not one but a number of interconnected modifications and supplementations. Let’s explore a few of these.

*Glucosamine Sulfate: In the realm of natural arthritis dog medicine glucosamine sulfate is right at the top of the list of beneficial supplements. Double blind research studies have shown this supplement to be superior to anti-inflammatory medications in achieving long term results. While NSAIDs provide only temporary pain relief it appears that glucosamine addressed the root cause by promoting cartilage synthesis.  Glucosamine not only relieves many of the symptoms but it also helps your dogs body repair damaged joints over time.

*Vitamins A and B6, Zinc and Copper: These vitamins and minerals are necessary for the manufacture and maintenance of normal cartilage structure. A deficiency in any one would open the door for an acceleration of joint degeneration.

*Omega 3 and Omega 6: We are starting to see more and more dog food preparations containing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Resent research shows that omega 3 and omega 6 reduce overall body inflammation including joint inflammation. You might consider adding a tablespoon of flax or fish oil to your pets food twice a day. It may take a few months to see results so be patient.

*Weight Reduction: Excess weight causes increased stress on the weight bearing joints and both accelerates joint degeneration and limits the benefits of any cartilage rebuilding efforts. Taking steps to take a few pounds off is an important additional step.

*Natural Remedies for Dog Arthritis: Natural arthritis dog medicines can prove very helpful especially when combined with the above ideas. They are generally very affordable and can produce both safe and effective long term results.

In summary, finding the best arthritis dog medicine is a struggle between short term pain relief and the long term benefits of natural remedies. By working with your vet there is no doubt that a blend of natural and conventional treatments, combined with diet and moderate exercise, can be formulated that takes into account both your dogs age and overall health.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural pet health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/finding-the-best-arthritic-dog-medicine-1544994.html