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lil fu fu girl · 12-28-2010, 06:44 PM

Like their human companions, our pups are also susceptible to this form of bone/joint degeneration caused by aging and general wear and tear. Osteoarthritis affects approximately 14 million dogs every year, many who go undiagnosed and untreated. Unfortunately, when it comes to osteoarthritis in canines, the disease is often diagnosed when it is too late, often in the irreversible stages. At this point the only treatment performed is for pain and to arrest the progression. Currently U of M is researching potential biomarkers in pups for early detection. This is very interesting research, which could affect a change in early detection across species.
As with humans, Omega 3 fatty acid studies were also conducted on canines through the research of Dr. Kevin Kahn in early 2010. As with humans, Omega 3’s are efficient in their ability to reduce inflammation, which is the promoter of pain. The major issues that appear to be the primary contributing factors to degeneration are obesity, general long term wear and tear including excessive repetitive stress on the bones and joints, and nutrition. Prevention goes along the same lines as humans, the less damage done over time, the better off the joints and bones will be. Maintaining a healthy diet with complete proteins and calcium and vitamins, as well as exercise to keep the joints flexible appears to be the best bet on prevention and delay of the degeneration. However, if age and wear have promoted osteoarthritis in your pup, Omega 3’s in combination with other meds such as NSAIDs would probably be a treatment prescribed by your vet.
Early signs are joint pain and lameness especially after exercise. Later stages progress and chronic symptoms become obvious: reluctance to take stairs or walks, refusal of activity, rising slowly, licking or chewing of an affected area, and also they may seek warm and soft areas.
If your pup is constantly jumping from heights which are causing damage or injury, I would stop the behavior. Get a set of stairs and encourage him to use them through treat/praise-training. Mine is also a jumper and I am trying to snuff this behavior right now at 2 years, as consistent injury promotes damage and eventually degeneration.
Best of luck!

12-28-2010, 06:44 PM	#3
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	Like their human companions, our pups are also susceptible to this form of bone/joint degeneration caused by aging and general wear and tear. Osteoarthritis affects approximately 14 million dogs every year, many who go undiagnosed and untreated. Unfortunately, when it comes to osteoarthritis in canines, the disease is often diagnosed when it is too late, often in the irreversible stages. At this point the only treatment performed is for pain and to arrest the progression. Currently U of M is researching potential biomarkers in pups for early detection. This is very interesting research, which could affect a change in early detection across species. As with humans, Omega 3 fatty acid studies were also conducted on canines through the research of Dr. Kevin Kahn in early 2010. As with humans, Omega 3’s are efficient in their ability to reduce inflammation, which is the promoter of pain. The major issues that appear to be the primary contributing factors to degeneration are obesity, general long term wear and tear including excessive repetitive stress on the bones and joints, and nutrition. Prevention goes along the same lines as humans, the less damage done over time, the better off the joints and bones will be. Maintaining a healthy diet with complete proteins and calcium and vitamins, as well as exercise to keep the joints flexible appears to be the best bet on prevention and delay of the degeneration. However, if age and wear have promoted osteoarthritis in your pup, Omega 3’s in combination with other meds such as NSAIDs would probably be a treatment prescribed by your vet. Early signs are joint pain and lameness especially after exercise. Later stages progress and chronic symptoms become obvious: reluctance to take stairs or walks, refusal of activity, rising slowly, licking or chewing of an affected area, and also they may seek warm and soft areas. If your pup is constantly jumping from heights which are causing damage or injury, I would stop the behavior. Get a set of stairs and encourage him to use them through treat/praise-training. Mine is also a jumper and I am trying to snuff this behavior right now at 2 years, as consistent injury promotes damage and eventually degeneration. Best of luck!