Greetings,
Welcome to this month's issue of The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. Please pass this along to your friends!

Table of Contents:

1. Featured Articles from The Pet Arthritis Resource Center
2. Pets and Their Immune System
3. Pet Arthritis Message Boards

Featured Pet Arthritis Content

A Guide to Glucosamine Products for Pets Canine Hip Dysplasia Stories of Users of Rimadyl Natural Arthritis Relief for Pets Recommended Books on easing arthritis pain in Pets Using Glucosamine to Ease Arthritis Pain in Pets

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Pets and Their Immune System

I have said this time and again, and will say it once more for emphasis. Pets suffer the same kinds of conditions in many respects that we as humans do. When it comes to arthritis, there are a host of issues that you have to consider.

What the Immune System Does
The "defense system" against disease is the immune system. It is comprised of four principal components: the lymphatic system, bone marrow, spleen, and the thymus gland.

The bone marrow produces white blood cells called leukocytes which are distributed throughout your pet's body. The role of these antibodies is to defend your pet from bacteria and viruses. If your pet is healthy, the system works. If it is not, the bacteria and viruses invade the otherwise healthy animal and illness follows.

Aging and the Immune System
Just as a human, with age comes a decline in the immune system's ability to fight disease. The most serious cases, the immune system itself begins releasing antibodies that destroy its own tissue.

Autoimmune Erosive Arthritis
One of the devastating effects of an immune system gone awry is autoimmune erosive arthritis. Of course, as I have often said, "the best defense against this kind of attack is found in using appropriate supplement therapy."

Diet and Supplements
What keeps a pet's immune system healthy? A well-rounded diet and appropriate supplements is the answer.

Liquid glucosamine which contains other ingredients that lend themselves to a healthy immune system is the first line of defense. This supplement should also contain a small amount of Vitamin A; essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 & 6; Vitamin C (Ascorbate); along with anti-inflammatory ingredients.

This regimen combined with a healthy diet should keep the immune system of most pets healthy and provide the defense mechanisms needed. It is probably wise to check the ingredients in your pet's food and if not present, some small amount of B-complex should also be added. Some veterinarians have suggested that small amounts of Goldenseal and Echinacea weekly may also assist in keeping the immune system healthy.

Dosing for Success
Most reputable manufacturers are going to provide the appropriate dosage schedules with their supplements. Just make certain that you stay with the recommended dosage unless advised otherwise by those manufacturers.

You see…it really isn't that tough to keep our pets healthy enough to avoid the devastation of a failing immune system. It just takes a little effort.

See you next time.

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Pet Arthritis Message Boards

Dogs

• Canine Hip Dysplasia
• Arthritis in Dogs
• Glucosamine for Dogs

Cats

• Feline Hip Dysplasia
• Glucosamine for Cats
• Arthritis in Cats

Other Animals

• Arthritis in Other Animals

Here's a few sample posts from the Forum...

stan francis
Posted on 05 Aug 2003

Hello from the UK. We have a lovily Rough Collie of 14 years next month. He's been on Rymadel but now we've heard the bad news on this drug, we've taken him off it! But what else is there? Over the last 4 days we have given him 2 asperin per day, it has calmed him down, but he still whines! We have heard about glucosomine, something our David Wilkie came back from the States with a few years ago to the UK and have started to give hima 600mg dose per day started yesterday plus Green lipped Mussel extract for the last 10days!! question is WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR COLLIE, DO WE HAVE HIM PUT DOWN OR IS THERE ANY HOPE, WE FEEL THAT THE VETS WE'VE USED OVER THE LAST 15 MONTHS ARE JUST MONEY GRABBERS, SORRY TO THE GOOD VETS. Temperture in Uk at present is 93F, EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!

In June my 13 yr old australian cattle dog cross started showing signs of arthritis really bad. She could hardly move come the first weekend of June so I took her in and the vet put her on Rimadyl. He did tell me that 1% of dogs can't take it and that she needs to come back in 2 weeks for blood work. I came to the message boards for some information on rimadyl and other alternatives. I was very nervous after reading everything. At least I learned what to look for as far as signs. I noticed after about a week her stools were loose so I called the vet and I talked to her normal vet and he said bring her in. In the mean time I had already ordered some synflex, and it was here the day I had to take her in. They did the blood work on her and she definitely couldn't take any rimadyl anymore. I asked him about synflex and he didn't know anything about it. I had brought it in and he calculated out what I needed to give her (which I already had done). We came up with the same amt. 1cc twice a day. I gave her twice the amount for the first 2 weeks and it definitely helped. I administer it through a syringe the vet gave to me and just shoot it in her mouth. She is really good about taking it. She has been doing real well on it. Some days she is a little sore but on those days I give her an asprin. Thanks to the message boards I found synflex and I saved my dog! I am hoping that she will be with me for a few more years!

Post your own message on The Pet Arthritis Message Board now!

This concludes the August Issue of The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. Look for the next issue in your inbox on September 15th, 2003!

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Have a great August from The Pet Arthritis Resource Center and The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. See you next month!