Arthritis therapies –
how do the conventional treatments stack up to the more natural ones?
by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

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The alternative approach
Many complementary therapies not only relieve pain and inflammation but actually supply nutrients that help the cartilage heal and slow down the destruction of the joint. The most common by far are the various joint supplements, which typically contain ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, DMG, or hyaluronic acid (hyaluronin). While each ingredient works differently, all joint supplements work in two general ways:

They supply nutrients (building blocks) to the damaged cartilage, helping it to heal (something no conventional therapy can do).

Like conventional medications, they inhibit the inflammatory enzymes that destroy the cartilage, bone, and other parts of the joint, reducing pain and encouraging normal joint function.

As a rule, I always use a joint supplement as part of my therapy for dogs and cats with arthritis. Unlike NSAIDS, they usually don’t work overnight and may require four to eight weeks to achieve maximum effectiveness. However, also unlike NSAIDS, they offer a “lag” period of two to six weeks during which they continue to help the animal even after they’ve been stopped.

While any joint supplement can be effective, you may need to work with your veterinarian to find the most effective one. While higher quality products may cost more, you really do get what you pay for.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the only way to compare product costs is on a per dose or per day basis. Let’s assume your dog requires 1,500 mg of glucosamine per day. Supplement A contains 1,500 mg of glucosamine per pill, and a bottle of 90 pills costs $75. Supplement A therefore has enough pills to last 90 days. Supplement B contains 250 mg of glucosamine per pill with a bottle of 90 pills costing $35, but it only has enough pills to last 15 days at the prescribed dosage for your dog. While Supplement A costs more, it is actually much less expensive than Supplement B when the correct dose is used.

Herbs, homeopathics and homotoxicologic agents are additional therapies that may help dogs and cats with arthritis. Examples of herbs for arthritis are white willow bark, devil’s claw, horsetail, ginger, alfalfa, licorice, boswellia, feverfew, and capsaicin (cayenne). Homeopathic remedies include Caulophyllum, Lithium Carb, Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Hecla Lava, and Actaea Rac, while helpful homotoxicologic agents include Traumeel and Zeel (the latter has been shown in human studies to be as effective as NSAIDS, but without the side effects).

Acupuncture and magnetic therapy can also help. They will not usually heal damaged cartilage, but they will reduce pain and inflammation. They can be used as needed in conjunction with joint supplements.

I believe the best approach to treating arthritis involves the use of joint supplements to help heal the cartilage and reduce pain and inflammation. Conventional medications such as NSAIDS can be used safely on a short-term, as-needed basis in most animals, but really have no place as the sole treatment. Additional therapies such as acupuncture or magnetic therapy can also be used as needed. Finally, proper exercise and weight control are essential for minimizing the need for medication, and maximizing the effectiveness of any therapy.

Keys to prevention
While I can’t guarantee that arthritis is preventable, you can minimize its occurrence.

1. Do not breed dogs known to carry genes that predispose them to arthritis (for example, dogs with hip dysplasia).

2. While exercise is important, don’t overdo it. Your veterinarian can prescribe a sensible exercise program. When possible, exercises that limit weight-bearing, such as supervised swimming in a heated pool, are preferred.

3. Weight control is critical. Many of the arthritic animals I treat are overweight, forcing damaged joints to bear even more stress. Keeping your companion lean can minimize arthritis and is a critical part of treatment.

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Published in the June/July 2005 issue of Animal Wellness