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

Table of Contents:

1. Content from The Pet Arthritis Resource Center
2. How safe can they be?
3. Pet Arthritis Message Boards

Frank Talk about Prescription Medications For those who read this column, it is clear that I have reservations about the use of prescription arthritis medications for pets. Hurricane Katrina It is ironic that in the last issue I mentioned that "storm season" is with us again. Of course, no one could have known that the Southern United States would be devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Storm Season and your Pet Having lived through a massive hurricane last year that took a large part of my house, I am a little sensitive to this issue. Since we are in hurricane season and it doesn't end until November

Advertisement

	Liquid glucosamine formula Syn-flex® effectively eases arthritis and hip dysplasia pain in dogs and cats, assists in the rehabilitation of damaged cartilage, and slows the progression of the disease. Plus FREE shipping. Learn more about Syn-flex now!

How safe can they be?

We are again paying a visit to the issue of the safety of using both prescription pain relievers and over-the-counter NSAID's. It is becoming clear that there are many concerns and it is one that if you love your pet, you had best pay attention to.

What has Happened and is about to Happen
By now, most of you are aware that both Vioxx and Bextra have been pulled from the market over concerns about serious side effects. Of course, these are prescription medications used by humans but the same issues apply to pet prescription medications.

The Severity of the Problem
Pulling drugs from the market is serious business. In the case of those two drugs, the decision was made after the Food and Drug Administration made a command decision because of reports of heart attacks and the possibility that research was flawed. And, for those who then switched to using over-the-counter NSAID's as a safer alternative, were hit with another surprise. The makers of these products then began issuing stronger warnings on their labels about the possibility of complications.

When your pet is in pain, what should you do?
The same class of drugs is used and prescribed by veterinarians when your pet is suffering from arthritis pain. But, it would seem clear that they are now becoming aware of the possibility that these drugs have the same potential for side effects. Of course, these drugs have also come under scrutiny because of other side effects.

To the readers of this column, I have consistently warned about these issues. I am a strong advocate on behalf of using a well-formulated liquid Glucosamine instead of taking the risk of using these kinds of drugs.

My position has not changed and if anything, it has strengthened my resolve to try to issue these cautionary notes. Unless and until some government agency issues an unbiased report that says otherwise, I will continue to stay the course.

What do you say to the vet?
It is no secret that I am the president of Synflex America, Inc. And, we are the makers of Syn-flex®. It is powerful, fast-acting and safe to use for pets suffering from arthritis. While others have tried to copy this wonderful product they have failed to do so. In fact, I think it is safe to say that it is the best of its kind in this marketplace.

My suggestion?
If you have had a vet suggest the use of a prescription medication for your pet's arthritis or hip dysplasia, I would recommend that you ask all the right questions about the safety of such drugs. Not only are they more expensive, the bottom line is safety. When your pet's comfort is at issue you want to make them happy. But, why do so if there is a risk of serious side effects?

I not only recommend trying Syn-flex® as a safer alternative, I would challenge you to ask your vet about it. Take a sample to them and tell them about your personal experience in using it. Simply put, it works. It is less expensive and safer than the options generally offered.

The Cleveland Clinic (one of the finest research institutes in the world) announced that they are about to conduct additional studies on the use of this class of prescription drugs used by humans. That tells me a lot. If they want answers to ensure the safety of using them, the same story applies to your pet.

See you next time.

For information on arthritis in pets visit our site at http://www.arthritis-cats-dogs.com

For information on glucosamine and the leading products read The Guide to Glucosamine Products. Or you can learn more about glucosamine formula Syn-flex®, our recommended glucosamine product.

A feature to our Pet Arthritis Resource Center is the Pet Arthritis Message Board. You can post messages, ask questions, learn more, and meet friends. You can post messages in any of the following sections.

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...

Sandra
Posted on 12 Jan 2006

Hi everyone, Well we started giving our dog Glucosamine again yesterday after being off it for a month along with MSM for the pain and for the first time. So far there isn't any change in the limping part. He whimpered yesterday and the day before for the first time since he began to limp in the summer. It's breaking my heart to see him this way..I hope the MSM kicks in pretty soon. The funny thing is that when he sees a squirrel he takes after it like he's a puppy again. He'll run and chase, but he has stopped wanting to go out play with his kong like he used to..He is a Rottie and will be 10 at the end of april..To young I think for him to be this way..How long does anyone think it will take before the MSM starts to work? I suppose it is different for all dogs..We'd like to take him to the vets, but wanted to try the MSM first. After hearing about NSAID and the health risks I'm pretty afraid to take him,but wouldn't it be better to give a NSAID first for the initial pain and once better stop it and give him the MSM? or is all NSAIDS pain relievers and once started has to be kept up to keep the pain at bay?? The horror stories about what NSAID can do and has done is scary, but how high is the percentage of the side effects? I don't want my dog to get any worse and I"m trying my best to give him what I can now, but if worse comes to worse what can I do? Couldn't I just give him metacam or any other drug to help him with the pain and then taper off and give him the MSM,, OH what to do,,it's driving me in sane,, On one hand I want to do what's best for him and stop the pain, but on the other hand I don't want to harm him in doing so.. All and any info will be helpful..

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

Advertisement

	Syn-flex® contains pharmaceutical quality Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Bromelain, Boswellin, Yucca, Omega 3 and Omega 6, Manganese, and Vitamins A, C, and E in a high quality formula designed for helping Arthritic type pain for your dog or cat. Learn more about Syn-flex here!

This concludes the January Issue of The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. Look for the next issue in your inbox on February 15th, 2006!

Please forward to any friends that have pets with arthritis and who would be interested.

You have received The Pet Arthritis Chronicle because you have subscribed to it (or it was forwarded to you by a friend). At any time, you may subscribe or unsubscribe here.

For comments and questions relating to The Pet Arthritis Chronicle you may email

This newsletter may be republished article by article or in whole as long as credit is given to author and link is provided to http://www.arthritis-cats-dogs.com

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