Degenerative joint disease is very common in dogs and cats. However, arthritis should not be accepted as a natural course of aging, nor should we disregard or minimize its effects on our patients’ quality of life.
Many pets suffer in silence. Joint pain not only reduces their ability to physically perform at their best, but can greatly affect their mental well-being. Since animals are rarely able to truly convey their level of discomfort, we must be both diligent and astute in monitoring for signs of joint pain and inflammation. It is true that when their joints are hurting, elderly pets often act even older—i.e. if they have hearing problems, they may act even more deaf; if they have vision problems, they may act as if their sight is even worse– all because pain clouds their concentration in hearing and seeing.
Don’t let your pet owners accept joint disease as a natural result of aging! Nutraceuticals and supplements, along with alternative therapies, can greatly relieve the discomfort your pet feels from joint disease.
For example, Joint Guard Vet™ is a novel nutraceutical that offers natural, safe therapy for joint disease (formulated by veterinarians for veterinarians and their patients). The unique combination of natural plant extracts found in Joint Guard Vet™ not only addresses the inflammation and pain associated with arthritic conditions, but provides nutrients that can help the body restore depleted collagen levels, necessary for the maintenance of healthy joint cartilage:
Vitamin C: Anti-inflammatory and integral to collagen synthesis.
Manganese: Required for the formation of healthy cartilage and bone.
Boswellia Serrata: Has potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative properties, and increases effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin. Inhibits 5-lipooxygenase.
Bromelain: Is a protease occurring naturally in pineapple that inhibits prostaglandin and kinin synthesis.
Type II Collagen: The basis for cartilage, it also forms fibrils, enhancing the health and tensile strength of cartilage. Stimulates biosynthesis of collagen type II. Contains chondroitin and glucosamine to help rebuild damaged cartilage.
Chondroitin Sulfate: Provides most of the body’s resistance to joint compression. Slows down joint cartilage destruction and stimulates production of new cartilage. Protects cartilage from degradation.
Glucosamine: Helps increase synthesis of proteoglycans, GAGS, and collagen. It may also act as a cyclooxygenase-independent anti-inflammatory agent.
Opti-MSM™ (Methylsulfonylmethane): Organosulfur antioxidant; sulfur is essential for healthy hair and fur, skin, and claws, by helping form collagen that maintains skin elasticity.
Turmeric: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; contains curcumin I, II, and III, which contain salicin that converts to salicylic acid (COX-1 inhibitor). Inhibits tissue necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and lipooxygenase. Also causes: reduction of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-KB) and MAP kinase AP-1; reduction of COX2 expression and leukotriene activity; modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic proteins; and elevation of glutathione S-transferase activity.
White Willow Bark (Salix alba): Also contains salicin (see Turmeric)
Joint Guard Vet™ is a unique blend of 11 vitamins and natural plant extracts that help maintain your patients’ active lifestyles and comfort levels. Help your patients have the best quality of life possible!
[adrotate banner=”10″]AUTHOR PROFILE
Animal Wellness is North America's top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
