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SIGNS
Arthritis
Your dog seems generally sore, has difficulty getting up after sleeping, and has occasional lameness. He has trouble jumping up or climbing stairs, and sometimes you can move the joints and hear crunching.
CAUSES
It will happen to most of us. Our joints age and
lose their protective covering or cartilage.
When this happens, bone rubs on bone, leading to osteoarthritis. In some pets, arthritis can be secondary to a ligament injury, producing joint instability. This often happens with the knee, secondarily there are cranial cruciate ligament strains or tears.
SOLUTIONS
IT’S IN THE CARTILAGE. Glucosamine Hydrochloride is the most important supplement to add to your pet’s diet. The dose is 1/4 of a 500 mg tablet once daily per 10 lbs of body weight. It helps to rebuild the cartilage and delay further cartilage breakdown. It can come in a variety of combinations. Other supplements contain green-lipped mussel, which is similar to glucosamine. Glucosamine can be given in combination with Chondroitin as this supplement may improve the effectiveness of glucosamine.
CHONDROITIN. Another key component of cartilage, it works in conjunction with glucosamine to rebuild cartilage, to lessen inflammation, and even repair and strengthen injured tendons.
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Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula:
www.thedogsupplement.com
METHYLSULFONYMETHANE (MSM). MSM is a supplement that can be found in some plants such as Horsetail. It works by reducing inflammation in the joints by acting as an antioxidant. The MSM dosage is 50 mg per 10 lbs. of body weight daily.
Dr Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula contain effective amounts of these 3 ingredients in combination.
For dogs:
www.thedogsupplement.com
ACUPRESSURE. A form of ancient massage, Acupressure, is an overlooked effective option.
➢ EAR. The ear is a microcosm of the energy pathways in your pet. Perform gentle circling motions on the top inside of the ear – this stimulates the back legs.
➢ BL60 and KI3. The outside (BL60) and the inside (KI3) of the webbing of the hock joint. KI3 is also good for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the vital life force, the Chi.
➢ GB29 and GB30. The most important points for Hip Dysplasia and Hip Arthritis. In the depressions in front and behind the point of the hip. GB29 is in front of the bone, GB30 is behind the bony point.
THE MEDICINE CABINET. Aspirin is safe to use with dogs, but never with cats. The ASA dose is 325 mg (one regular tablet) per forty pounds of body weight given twice daily. Give one-fourth tab to a ten-pound dog. If side effects are seen, such as diarrhea or vomiting, then stop. I recommend uncoated regular aspirin, as the coated aspirin may pass right through your pet.
KEEP MOVING. Moving the joints produces joint fluid and lubricating them lead to less joint pain. If your dog is at first reluctant to move, manually flex the sore joint for five minutes. Gradually increase daily exercise.
FATTY ACIDS. Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for every arthritic dog, and have extensive research showing them to be beneficial for the inflammation in degenerative joint disease.
51
Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula:
www.thedogsupplement.com
Sources include flax oil, fish oil and krill oil. The flax requires metabolism of ALA to the omega 3 fatty acids of EPA and DHA, while these are preformed in the fish and krill oil. Flax dose is 1000mg/10lbs daily, equating to 1 tablespoon/50lbs of body weight. The highest concentration of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids (DHA and EPA) is found in Fish and Krill Oil. Krill Oil may be better absorbed, meaning it can be effective at much lower doses. The Krill oil dose is 500mg/50lbs of body weight twice daily.
Cannabidiol (CBD). This is the non -psychoactive portion of the cannabis plant. CBD has been shown to have potent anti-arthritic therapeutic action, resulting in both joint protection and clinical sign improvement. A study from the European Journal of Pain showed, using an animal model, CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat.
The Hadassah Medical School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem sought to compare the effectiveness of a completely purified CBD extract versus a full-spectrum extract of cannabis flowers containing large quantities of CBD.11
The conclusion of the study was that the whole plant extract, which contained a large percentage of CBD but also contained traces of the other cannabinoids, proved far more effective than CBD- only solutions in alleviating inflammation and pain sensation.11 (Standard dog and cat starting Dose: 3mg/10lbs daily.)
95% CURCUMIN. The active compound found in the spice turmeric, research that it can potentially alleviate arthritis inflammation and pain. The spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains a natural chemical compound called curcumin. Scientists have found curcumin has
11 Gallily R, Yekhtin Z, Hanuš LO (2018) The anti-inflammatory properties of terpenoids from Cannabis, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research 3:1, 282–290, DOI: 10.1089/can.2018.0014.
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Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula:
www.thedogsupplement.com
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.12 The 95% curcumin has the chemical properties of a COX inhibitor (as do the traditional NSAIDS), thus providing pain relief, but without the negative side effects. A standard curcumin dose is 100mg/10lbs daily, but it needs to be given with fat to be absorbed (i.e. give with food).
HOMEOPATHIC OPTION
➢ RHUS TOX. Also known as poison ivy, rhus tox, is a homeopathic remedy that alleviates pain or stiffness when getting up, and most muscle pains/disorders.13 Dose 6C twice daily.
12 Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. J Med Food. 2016 Aug;19(8):717-29. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2016.3705. PMID: 27533649; PMCID: PMC5003001.
13 Shipley M, Berry H, Broster G, Jenkins M, Clover A, Williams I. Controlled trial of homoeopathic treatment of osteoarthritis. Lancet. 1983 Jan 15;1(8316):97-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(83)91743-9. PMID: 6129459.”
