| Medic Alert - New Product Update - All About Joints | July 2012 |
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 Greetings! and family,
The colder months are here, and many pets are sleeping alot more than usual.
A study in the US showed that many owners failed to recognise the signs of joint pain in their pets, which doesn't mean they were bad owners, but that many clues of joint pain just aren't that obvious.
Owners often see pets slowing down as part of "old age" or sleeping more than usual as "nanny naps", and think that it is normal.
When I talk to owners about joints, I find it easier to think of all pets belonging into one of two groups. The first group are pets who just need "Everyday care" joint support. These are healthy pets with healthy joints, with support to keep them that way, which can be done by the owners at home with supplements, diets, and exercises.
The second group of pets need "Advanced Care" joint support. Vets are now involved, with the multitude of options now available for these guys.
In this Medical Alert/Product Update, we are going to go through both groups, so you can read the part that you believe applies to your pets. We will also go through some options that you may not have known was available.
And finally, thanks to Terri (Britt, Maggie and Zena's mum), and Marianne (Red's mum) for their recommendations on what helps them with joint pain. (and thanks to all of you too).
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| Contact Us | | |
17 Bellambi Lane
Russell Vale, 2518
02 42 845988
Mobile contact for out of normal hours - 0401349849
Email contact: lizvet@animalclinic.com.au
russellvalevet@gmail.com
Smart Phone friendly details www.animalclinic.com.au
Online Booking is here.
You can book your pet in for their dental check, vaccinations, even their surgical procedures.
If your pet is really sick and needs same day attention then please call us directly.
If you have friends with pets, please feel free to forward this issue to them.
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Everyday Care
All pets deserve to have their joints looked after as best as humanely possible, and we shouldn't be waiting until our pets are limping before we act.
Unless your pets are on arthritis specific diets, extra effort is needed to support their joints, but this is where we all can be overwhelmed about what is best. None of us want to put stuff into our bodies (or those of our pets) if it isn't necessary.
What the goal of joint support therapy is to ensure the joints stay healthy, and have the resources to regenerate when damage occurs (which can happen sooo easily... ask any one who has sprained an ankle).
What we recommend include
- Weight control - know what your pet's ideal body weight is, and stick to it.
- Muscle massage
- Exercises (easier for dogs than cats)
Now onto actual supplements
- Glucosamine/chondroitin
- Essential fatty acids
- Green lip mussel
- Marine oil supplements
- Shark cartilage
- Joint specific diets if not on any of the above supplements.
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Advanced Care
All of us, at some point, know what joint pain feels like. In many people it is not constant, but it is constant enough to affect what you can and can't do when it hits.
And, like us, there is a plethora of options, and not all work in all people or pets. So if you have tried one, and you haven't perceived a change, don't give up.
You know what signs your pet will show, but I am often faced with people who thought that nothing can be done to help.
Please forward this to your pet owning friends so they are kept informed.
What the options are
- Slings for support
- Acupuncture and Chiropractic
- Muscle retraining program (massage, exercises)
- Arthritis injections
- Stem Cell therapies
- Heat/cold packs
- Joint Diets
- Non steroidal medications
- Advanced care supplements
Read On
All About Joints:
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Joint Supplements
Everyday Care
There is a plethora of Joint supplements out there, but I will only write about the ones I have had experience with
- PAW Osteocare Joint Health Chews - for Dogs - contains high quality glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulfate, Vitamin C, MSM and Manganese in a tasty chew
- NutriSea Seaflex - for dogs and cats - contains Sea cucumber with all of its goodness for skin, coat and joints.
- Joint Guard Chews or Powder - contains glucosamine hydrochloride, Chondroitin sulfate. MSM, manganese gluconate,
- Flex for dogs - contains glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate and 4 other key ingredients.
- Glyde
- Sasha's Blend
- Pernease Powder
How do you choose? It isn't as straight forward as "this is the best one", as some will work better on some pets than others. My preferred choices are Flex, Seaflex and Joint Guard.
Clients Recommendations: At the end of the day, it is what product you feel has worked best for your pet. Clients have also recommended Sasha's Blend, Pernease, Natural Dog - Hips and Joint Biscuit (email me for more information - Thanks to Britt, Maggie and Zena for their recommendation), Fish Oil capsules
At Russell Vale Animal Clinic, we currently have Seaflex and Joint Guard.
At animalclinic , our online store, we have a wider range of joint supplements available.
 | | animalclinic online store |
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New and Not so New
Advanced Care
I am always surprised to hear that people are still giving their pets aspirin for their joints, not aware that it can cause alot of problems. There are safer medications out there.
The options are for both dogs and cats, unless specified otherwise.
Advanced Joint Supplements:
- Joint Guard for Dogs and Cats
- PAW Osteosupport for Dogs
- Joint diets (Hills j/d, Eukenuba Mobility)
Arthritis Injections
- are still the most common nutraceutical therapy for dogs (cats and horses)
- consist of four weekly injections, then with booster injections needed ranging from six weekly to six monthly.
- NEW for 2012 is Synovan, which contains Pentosan polysulphate (same as in Cartrophen) and also Acetyl glucosamine.
Medications
- the most common non steroidals we use include Metacam (Meloxicam) and Carprofen,
- in some pets we need to add in some stronger medication, such as tramadol and gabapentin.
- NEW for 2011 is a once a month tablet called Trocoxil (for dogs only)
All pets who are on these medications do need blood tests each six months to check for liver and kidney function.
Surgical Interventions -
Technology is amazing!
Elbow and Hip replacements are now available at some specialist centres, though the cost can be a challenge.
Stem Cell Therapies are becoming more mainstream, with an increasing number of veterinarians providing this option. It is only suitable for those with degenerative joint disease, which must be confirmed with radiographs, joint fluid analysis and blood tests. All going well, a section of fat is removed from your pet, then specially treated to extract the stem cells, which are then injected into target joints to help regeneration of damaged cartilage.
We are happy to discuss any of these options with you.
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 | | Canine Body Works |
Above is a video taken from youtube, which shows some of the exercises I talk about below and on the All About Joints Page.
Everyday & Advanced Care
All animals benefit from muscle massage therapies, and this is one area which many owners overlook. Below are some examples of exercises we recommend for all pets.
Passive range of motion - this is gentle and one of the best things you can do for your pet's joints.
Swimming - really should be called water supported exercise - the dog should still be able to touch the bottom. The water should be ankle high to improve positioning of feet, at knee height for resistance, and hip height for weight support for full range of motion. Sit - to - Stand - We recommend starting slow, and perhaps doing 2-3 sits, then increase to 15 sits to stands per set (i.e in a row), and then repeat that 2-3 times a day.
A wobble board - an garbage bin lid (a round one) works well to force your dog to balance themselves and ensure multiple muscles are exercised.
Heat or cold packs - some pets prefer heat packs, and some prefer cold packs - I know my joints prefer cold. A fun exercise for dogs is to put a hair scrunchie on one foot, and make them walk - they try to lift their foot and shake it to get it off - an easy exercise.
I have put on my website some more videos of exercises you can do with and for your pet.
Please - do not do any exercises on your pet if they don't like it, seem to be in pain, or are injured.
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Until next time
We are supporting the RSPCA fight against Animal Cruelty with a Cupcake Party.
It is on Saturday, 18th August 2012 at 10 am
Click here for more information.
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Save 25%
Synovan Injections
for Dogs
Cartrophen injections
for Cats. |
Synovan Injection - get four injections for the price of 3.
Arthritis injections are the most comment medication
given to our dogs (and cats and horses) to help them cope
with the discomfort of joint pain.
| | Select "Arthritis Injection |
It is a nutritional medication - it is safe, and it will work in 80% of our pets.
| | Offer Expires: 30th August 2012. A vetcheck fee of $40 applies if we have not seen your pet in the past six months. |
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FREE
Arthritis
Sampler
Pack
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Free Arthritis "Doggy bag" for Dogs and Cats
Stiff joints can affect pets of any age, and sometimes the signs are so subtle, that when they are obvious, the joint disease changes can be quite advanced.
These arthritis packs are specifically for those pets who require Advanced Joint care. It includes - Non steroidal medication for 2 days (to see if it helps) - Seaflex joint support sample - Hills j/d Joint food sample (tin) - Natural Dog - Hip and Joint Biscuit (From Brit, Zena & Maggie)
| | Select Consultation - Miscellaneous and before you click to confirm, advise it is for Arthritis Sampler. |
with booked
Arthritis
Checks only | | Offer Expires: Only 8 Dog and 5 Cat packs available. Book your appointment online now, this confirms your pack, and come in on your appointment day to claim your pack. Vet check fee of $40.00 applies only if we have not examined your pet in the past six months. |
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