Many pets develop some form of joint disease during their lives. It can be mild, even unnoticeable
to the pet owner, or it can be debilitating, severely affecting the pet’s quality of life, or even causing
complete lameness. The majority of cases fall somewhere in between. While some pets may develop joint disease in the first half of their lives, signs usually do not appear
until the latter half of life, which varies depending on your pet’s breed. Dogs are more susceptible to
arthritis than cats, and the larger dog breeds are more vulnerable than smaller breeds.
The most common signs of joint disease include stiffness, limping, or favoring a limb - particularly
after sleep or resting, inability to rise, reluctance to jump or even climb stairs, and noticeable pain.
Medical treatment of osteoarthritis has greatly improved in the last several years thanks to the
introduction and approval of several new supplements and drugs. Because hip dysplasia (and other
types of dysplasias) are primarily inherited conditions, there are no products on the market which
prevent their development. Through proper diet, exercise, supplements, anti-inflammatories, and
pain relief, you may be able to decrease the progression of degenerative joint disease, but the
looseness in the joint or bony changes will not change significantly.
Medical management is indicated for both young dogs with clinical signs and for older dogs with
chronic osteoarthritis. Because of the high cost involved with many surgeries, medical management
is many times the only realistic option for many pet owners. For the best results, arthritis
management should include all of the following
Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM): MSM is a natural, sulfur-containing compound produced by kelp in the ocean. MSM is reported to enhance the structural integrity of connective tissue,
and help reduce scar tissue by altering cross-linkages which contribute to scar formation. MSM
has been promoted as having powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and is an important nutrient in the synthesis of
collagen and cartilage. Because dogs and cats can manufacture their own Vitamin C and do not
require it in their diet like humans do, the efficacy of using Vitamin C in the management of
osteoarthritis in dogs remains unclear. Supplementing with Vitamin C at a reasonable level will
not result in a toxicity and has proven to have a beneficial effect.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are often used for the management of the signs of
arthritis in dogs. Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, some have advocated their use
in dogs with osteoarthritis. Research studies are under way to determine their effectiveness in
the management of osteoarthritis.
HardyPet Complete contains all of the key ingredients needed in a daily supplement for dogs which
are suseptable to the development of arthritis and other joint conditions. Formulated with only the
highest quality pharmaceutical grade ingredients, there is no better supplement on the market for
the treatment and prevention of joint related conditions.
HardyPet Joint provides a high dose of MSM, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and other critical
ingredients in an amazing 10 Day treatment that is guaranteed to show immediate and lasting
results. |
