Millions of pets in the United States suffer from debilitating joint pain. Whether it's hypertrophic ostodystrophy, hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis, pain can range from mild discomfort to debilitating - effectively crippling the most active of animals.
Perhaps your pet isn't moving quite as quickly as he once did or takes a bit longer to get up from his/her bed in the morning. If you've noticed a change in behavior, particularly as it relates to activity, chances are your pet may have joint disease.
For most owners, the first stop is their local veterinarian's office. One of the primary treatments many veterinarians prescribe is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Whether given by prescription or over-the-counter, these medications work to reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief from joint pain.
Unfortunately, the top NSAIDs prescribed for animal joint pain - as with those prescribed for humans - are also associated with serious side effects. Gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, weight loss and renal failure are only the beginning. Certainly, not all animals will suffer these side effects, but few pet owners want to take that chance.
For those who want relief for their pet, without dangerous side effects, one option stands out from the rest - natural supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation does more that relieve pain and decrease inflammation - it provides the raw materials needed to repair and replenish the cartilage in damaged joints. In an arthritic joint, these two precious substances are in short supply. Supplementation ensures that the joint has what it needs to heal. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation is so effective, in fact, that it is among the most popular products for arthritis management in animals today!
The choices abound when it comes to choosing a glucosamine supplement. Powders, pills and potions line the shelves of your local pet mart, all promising pain relief. What these labels don't tell you, however, is that their method of delivery is ineffective. The active ingredients - glucosamine and chondroitin - are processed, compressed and combined with fillers, binders and flavored coatings to make the medicine easier to take for the animal. This does nothing more than ensure the majority of the supplement is left in a pile on the grass during Fido's next walk... if he takes it all. As many pet owners know, hiding a pill in tasty kibble isn't always effective!
No comments:
Post a Comment