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Holistic
Remedies For the Arthritic/Dysplastic Dog Here's some information on holistic remedies for the arthritic/dysplastic dog (not necessarily in order of effectiveness, this can vary from dog to dog):
Glycoflex is neat stuff. It is a nutritional supplement made from pure Perna Canaliculus, a filter-feeding sea mussel which is especially rich in glycosaminoglycans (GAGS). GAGS are the raw materials of synovial fluid, the lubricant that keeps joints happy (like oil in a car). In old dogs and dogs with orthopedic problems, there is often a problem with the synovial fluid - it is either thin and watery (should be thick and gooey) or there's not enough of it. The company that makes Glycoflex, Vetri-Science Laboratories (1-800-882-9993) will only sell through vets. However, many vets use it as a practice-builder (good will kind of thing) and don't charge a lot additional for profit. My vet is selling it to me for $30 for 300 count of 600 mg. tablets. I am feeding it to four of my dogs: two dysplastics (ages 11 and 7), and two oldies (ages 14 and 10) with good hips. I have seen an improvement in mobility and activity levels in ALL of the dogs that are getting it. It can take varying lengths of time for the improvement to be seen - anywhere from two to eight weeks depending on the individual dog. The good hipped dogs were showing no signs of limping or anything, just decreased activity. Within a couple of weeks, Flair was back out in the kitchen mooching ice cubes - something she hadn't been doing for months. I jokingly asked the vet if there's something in it that makes them high and he said no, they just feel better so they act happier and waggier. Address: Vetri-Science Laboratories, 20 New England Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05453-1504. I called Vetri-Science and had them send me literature on all their products (they also sell other supplements, including shark cartilage), then I took that to the vet so they would have the ordering information. The company tries to only sell through vets, but Anicare Supply, Inc. has been advertising that they carry it. Call 1-800-476-2642. Their ad says a 500 tablet bottle (I think that's 300 mg. tabs) is $29.61 There is also an injectable form of GAGS called Adequan; for faster results, you might talk to your vet about a series of Adequan injections, then maybe you could maintain him on the oral Glycoflex. There are also synthetic forms of GAGS that are made for horses (Equiflex, Flexfree, Cosequin), and I think they're a little cheaper, but they don't contain the full spectrum of GAGS (there are 14 of them, I think), plus the Glycoflex is from a natural food source, not a test tube. In the October 1995 issue of Dog World, authors John C. Cargill and Susan Thorpe-Vargas state that the antioxidants, vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherals - the most biologically available form of E) and calcium ascorbate (a buffered, non-acidic form of vitamin C) work to inhibit prostaglandin E2 synthesis by blocking the activity of an enzyme ("cyclooxygenase") and stabilizing the cell membrane. Although I can't explain exactly what this means, other reading I've done indicates that prostaglandins are involved with pain and inhibiting PG's means less pain. These vitamins are also free-radical scavengers and free radicals are formed in the inflammation process of an arthritic joint. (Free radicals are also associated with the onset of cancer, aging, cataracts, neurologic disorders and reduced immune function so scavenging them is a good idea.) Recommended dosage, according to the article: ìFor a thirty pound dog, giving approximately 80 IU of Vitamin E [and] 50 mg. of vitamin C...can safely be recommended. Smaller dogs need proportionately less, larger dogs proportionately more. Other sources would consider this a very conservative dosage [I agree]. In a Norwegian study, 30 mg./kg of body weight of polyascorbate was given three times a day for six months (A kg. is 2.2 lbs.)...Polyascorbate is a mineralized form of vitamin C that aids in absorption and retention in the body's tissues, and because it has a neutral pH it does not cause gastric upset." If your dog has never been on vitamin C before, it's important to start at a low dose (250 - 500 mg.) and work up to the 2000 mg. dose gradually. Otherwise you will see loose stools. Bioflavonoids are found in partnership with vitamin C in nature - the white rind of an orange (that thready stuff we tend to peel off) is rich in bioflavonoids. They are thought to prevent disease as well as restore health in humans. Among other things, bioflavs have a potent anti-inflammatory effect without the side effects of steroids or aspirin, speed healing of athletic injuries and wounds, increase the efficiency of vitamins C and A, relieve pain in arthritis, and serve as antioxidants by scavenging free radicals. If you can't find calcium ascorbate with bioflavs included, you can buy bioflav caplets and feed them. ALL of my dogs get 1000 mg. of C with bioflavonoids in each meal, and 200 IU of vitamin E in their evening meal. The Glyco-Flex gang gets 1 tab at each meal. I haven't tried the following on my own dogs, but I'm hearing more and more about shark cartilage and Dog Cross. Shark cartilage is a "natural angiogenesis inhibitor" meaning it discourages the growth of new blood vessels. The growth of new blood vessels is believed to play a role in a number of joint conditions (also tumor growth), and inhibiting this seems to alleviate the discomfort and reduced mobility associated with aging joints, especially those caused by wear and tear. One brand that's readily available in health food stores is Cartilade, it comes in caplets, capsules and powder. Again, I'm not sure about the dosage. Dog Cross are 100% natural herbal formulations based on ancient Chinese remedies for joint problems. There are two arthritis formulations: Moving Comfort T24 and Moving Comfort T29. T24 is for pain and stiffness caused from cold and dampness, morning stiffness, and joint discomfort that improves with exercise but returns after resting. T29 is for pain or limping that appears after movement or heavy exercise. I know some dogs take both products on alternate days. A bottle of 200 tablets runs $18 to $19. You can get more information and request a catalog by e-mailing tbocking@Direct.CA. Or write to: Dog Cross Natural Products, Ltd., #2 - 12240 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, BC V7A 4X9, Canada. Another possibility is Odyssey Formulas' Flex, which is a supplement for dogs that are sore due to longevity or strenuous physical activity. It consists of a mix of herbs (different from the Dog Cross), bioflavonoids, digestive enzymes, vitamins (including C and E, and probiotics (friendly bacteria). I haven't tried this one but I'm very pleased with two of their other products, Beta Lac Puppy Formula, which contains immune supporting factors such as bovine colostrum and blood plasma, and the Canine Complete which is an all purpose supplement for dogs with no particular problems. You can call 1-800-206-1861 (although they will be closed Dec. 18 - Jan. 2.) Actually "they" is one guy who's a retired lawyer that's been involved with dogs all his life. He's worked very closely with Wendy Volhard to develop these formulas, and they are the only ones she recommends. He's *very* interesting to talk to, but allow some time, he'll talk your ear off. Address: Odyssey Formulas, Unit 4, Rte. 11, RD 1, Box 135 C, Northumberland, PA 17857. I wouldn't be concerned about feeding some or all of these supplements, though I probably wouldn't start them all at once. Try one for 2 or 3 weeks, evaluate the improvement, then add another. If you get your dog back to normal activity with just one or two supplements, I wouldn't add any more because as he ages, he's probably going to start having some problems again. It's nice to have some other options in reserve in case you need them. The ultimate diet would be a home-cooked natural one. I've heard that it does wonders for arthritic dogs that have previously been eating grocery store junk like Chuck Wagon, or Gravy Train, etc. I can't say how much it would help a dog that's been eating one of the "better" premium foods. However, for a long-term chronic condition, I suspect a natural diet is best. Someday, when I don't have quite so many dogs, I expect I will end up feeding a home-made diet. A really good natural diet is thoroughly discussed in "The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog" by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, DVM. If you live outside the U.S. or Canada, ask around as I'm sure that these or similar supplements are available overseas. For example, I believe that one of the first human studies involving Glyco-Flex was conducted in Scotland. No doubt other GAGS products are available anywhere horse sports are popular. Also, Wendy Volhard is English (although she lives in the US) and has lectured overseas, so I'm sure her book and possibly other supplements are available there as well. Be persistent and good luck!
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