The absence of understandable language in canines impedes dogs from conveying what they feel to their caretakers. Hence, it is the owner's responsibility to be conscious enough of patterns and changes in their dog's behavior. When dogs become less active, are often silent, hide away, whine a lot or become aggressive when touched or carried, these are often taken as signs that the dog is suffering from some kind of arthritis.



Arthritis



Arthritis in dogs is quite varied like that of humans but every type of arthritis in canines deals with pain and inflammation in the joints causing lameness, limping and reduced mobility. Degenerative joint disease affects 10-15% of the estimated 60 million live dogs in America. Similar to osteoarthritis in humans, this condition is concentrated in the deterioration of joint parts particularly of the cartilage leading to inflammation, swelling and pain. A similar case is Osteochondrosis, which is suspected to be genetically-related and a sign of malnutrition, is the degeneration of joint tissues mimicking osteoarthritic pain. Arthritis in dogs, whether resulting from traumatic injuries, an auto-immune condition (meaning the dog's immune system attacks its own body due to viral detection confusion such as Rheumatoid Arthritis) or a symptom of aging, can affect various joints in the body and has also been reported to be infectious. Hip Dysplasia, a common form of arthritis is an example of a non-isolated case. Shoulder Degeneration, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hypertrophic Arthritis are variations of arthritis affecting dogs.

Initial Treatment



Treatment of arthritis begins with its diagnosis and identification of its type. Because dogs are normally treated as part of one's family, they are immediately brought to a veterinarian to be observed. When arthritis is suspected, pain relief is given through the prescription of drugs classified as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). However mild to severe side effects can be incurred through NSAID intake from simple diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite to more adverse ones such as gastrointestinal perforations and bleeding, ulcers, liver and kidney problems. Advances in canine medication include safer NSAIDs that have been approved by the FDA's Veterinary Medicine arm such as Etogesic, Novox, Zubrin, and Rimadyl, proven arthritis combatives. Nonetheless, adequate observation and testing must be done before any prescription of NSAID is given.

Alternative Treatment



Some dog owners often mistake canine diseases to be identical to human diseases and so treat canine arthritis with the same pain relievers that they use for themselves such as aspirins. This is very unsound practice and is not at all productive and may be dangerous to your pet's health.



Apart from the usual veterinarian prescription of NSAIDs, advanced research into canine arthritis reports pain relief and joint rehabilitation from glucosamine, an amino sugar that aids in cartilage repair by enhancing the production of prosteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans which both work in binding water to cartilage tissues.

Glucosamine found in Synflex is combined with 20% chondroitin sulfate found in shark cartilage that stimulates better glucosamine absorption in the dog's body. Bromelain found in Synflex relieves pain from arthritis caused by inflammatory agents by acting as an effective blocker. Syn-flex as a glucosamine supplement for dogs contains an adequate amount of other synergistic ingredients, vitamins and minerals that protects the joints and builds healthier cartilages slowing the symptoms of arthritis. In addition, it comes in liquid form providing for easier application and more effective digestion and absorption in the body's cells. Because Synflex contains a well-formulated amount of each ingredient, dosages are minimal. A bottle of Synflex can last for 8 months depending on how big your canine is and the prescribed dosage based on weight.