You & Your Pet by Dr. Wise

Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association 11 South Angell Street #347 · Providence, RI 02906 (877) 521-0103 (866) 277-0238 Toll-Free ·Fax

Can dietary supplementation give cats and dogs with arthritis significant relief?  If so, which ones have proven to be useful and what can I expect if I use them?

As with humans, arthritis in dogs and cats can be extraordinarily complicated to find true relief for their pain.  Certainly, the two most common forms of arthritis we are confronted with in veterinary medicine are hip dysplasia (ball and socket joint of the rear legs become eroded away) in dogs and cats, and ankylosing spondylosis of the lower spine (bony fusion between vertebrae).  Both of these are observed in cats, but with less frequency.

Twenty years ago the only viable options we could present to owners whose animals were in obvious discomfort were anti-inflammatory pain medicines like aspirin or corticosteroids and several surgical procedures.  These are still used commonly, but if we can eliminate the need for surgery with appropriate and safe dietary supplements, this is the ideal solution.  Remember, surgery should be a last resort, not a first. 

Chondroitin Sulfate/Glucosamine and Prozyme are the two supplements that have become universally accepted in veterinary medicine.  The beauty about these two is that neither is a "drug," if you will.  They are naturally occurring compounds in the body.  Chondroitin Sulfate/Glucosamine are the natural components of cartilage and have been proven to delay onset of clinical signs in a case diagnosed early.  It will help repair damaged cartilage and dramatically increase the amount of synovial fluid (joint fluid that gives cushion to our joints).   Clients must be cautioned that four to six months may be needed to see expected results, although in my experience, it has been of shorter duration.

Prozyme are naturally occurring pancreatic enzymes originally formulated for gastrointestinal problems in people (Tymezyme) and animals.   It was found that the threshold to initialize pain was increased dramatically.   It is known that 15-25 percent of the protein eaten by animals is never digested.   Using this product, it was found that less than five percent is undigested; therefore a greater percentage of protein is now available to be used for reparative purposes or stimulating the immune system.  The key is to consult with your veterinarian about what will work best for your beloved pet.

This information, prepared as a public service by the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, answers problems Rhode Island veterinarians currently are seeing in their practices, as well as new developments in animal care.