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

Table of Contents:

1. Arthritis in Pets
2. The Usage of Glucosamine for Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia
3. The AAFCO/FDA May Take Animal Supplements off the Market

Arthritis in Pets

The Mainstream Treatments

• NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Aspirin may dampen pain, but do nothing to treat arthritis. Possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and cramps. Do not use either Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.
• Rimadyl (Carprofen): An NSAID developed especially for dogs. Produced by Pfizer. Often effective at reducing pain and inflammation, however ineffective at treating disease or rehabilitating cartilage. Less side effects than other NSAIDs, however death is a possible occurrence with a bad reaction.

Cons: Has adverse side effects from ulcers to stomach upset to death. Does nothing to rehabilitate cartilage or treat disease.

Suggested Usage: Use only when your pet is experiencing severe pain. Use during the first few days of beginning a glucosamine regimen, as it can take 1-4 weeks for even a high quality glucosamine formula to begin to alleviate pain. Try to avoid long term use of NSAIDs and do be cautious when using Rimadyl as severe side effects such as bleeding ulcers, liver problems, kidney problems, or in some cases death, may occur.

Note: Do not administer any medication to your pet without first visiting your veterinarian.

Dietary Supplements: Glucosamine & Synergistic Ingredients

• Glucosamine is a charged sugar molecule that is a key component of the extracellular matrix of cartilage. It absorbs and releases water with each step, thereby acting as a shock absorber for the joints. It is the essential and principal ingredient that determines the quantity of proteoglycan (water-holding) molecules that are formed in the body. Glucosamine also stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAG's) which are important proteins found in cartilage. They serve to "bind" the water within the cartilage matrix, slowing the deterioration of your joints, and easing your pain.
• Chondroitin Sulfate serves to attract fluids into proteoglycan molecules which assists you in two ways. First, it draws nutrients into your cartilage. Secondly, it increases the flow of fluid into your cartilage to add resiliency. It also serves to protect existing cartilage from premature degeneration by blocking "bad" enzymes that destroy cartilage and as well, prevent nutrient replenishment. A naturally occurring component of cartilage aids in the lubrication and cushioning of joints. Chondroitin also provides structure and flexibility to your joints.
• Manganese is a mineral that enhances the effectiveness of both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates and synthesizes the production of healthy cartilage. It is essential for a healthy immune system and aids in the production of mucopolysaccharides, which are critical for maintaining healthy joints.
• Yucca has a lengthy history of usage with arthritis and rheumatism. The root is rich in saponins that elevate your body's ability to produce "natural" cortisone. It helps to block the release of toxins from the intestines that inhibit the normal function of cartilage. Yucca also has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Bromelain helps to inhibit pro-inflammatory compounds.
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, and ALA) are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, anchovies, and rainbow trout and soybean oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil. Omega-6 fatty acids (lineolic acid) comes from various common vegetable oils. The body converts lineolic acid into GLA which can help reduce joint inflammation.
• Boswellin has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine to maintain healthy joints. Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. At least one study has indicated that they may open up collateral blood circulation to provide a more adequate blood supply to your joints. Boswellin also serves to reduce swelling and improve mobility where individuals experience stiffness in the joints.
• Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) is essential for growth and repair of body tissues and it also aids in bone formation.
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) mobilizes your body's self-defense mechanisms that in turn, assists the immune system in overcoming disease. It is also a powerful antioxidant required to produce collagen, which is the main supportive protein in cartilage, tendons, and connective tissue. Collagen is the protein that "holds our bodies together" and is critical to the structure and integrity of healthy joints, not to mention every cell in our bodies. Vitamin A also protects against bone deterioration.
• Vitamin E (Tocopheral) is an antioxidant that acts to protect red blood cells and fatty acids from oxidation damage. It also assists your body in maintaining healthy membrane tissue.

Pros of Glucosamine & Other Ingredients: In addition to easing the pain, glucosamine actually counters the disease by assists in the rehabilitation of cartilage and rebuilding the joint structure. Furthermore, there are no serious side effects like there are with NSAIDs.

Cons: About 4-5% of pets develop minor diarrhea. This can be alleviated by reducing the dose, giving it with a meal, and splitting the dose between morning and evening.

Suggested Usage: We are confident that the liquid glucosamine is absorbed much more effectivelythan most pills and capsules. A high quality liquid glucosamine formula with the above synergistic ingredients is recommended. For information on a liquid glucosamine product that contains all of the above recommended ingredients, click here.

Non-ingested Treatments:

• Exercise
• Weight Reduction
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Hydrotherapy
• Magnets

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The Usage of Glucosamine for Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia

Information on how glucosamine actually works, the science backing glucosamine, and how to select the best glucosamine product for pets...

Healthy cartilage requires four things. These are:

1. water for lubrication and nourishment
2. proteoglycans to attract and hold water
3. collagen to hold proteoglycans in place
4. chondrocytes to clean away old proteoglycans and collagen and produce new ones

The Info on Glucosamine
One of the most effective nutrients for arthritis and hip dysplasia in dogs and cats is a compound called glucosamine. Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells of chitin (shellfish) and is a key component of cartilage. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and repair. It has been proven effective in numerous scientific trials for reducing osteoarthritis pain, rehabilitating cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Each animal produces a certain amount of glucosamine within their bodies. When people grow older, their bodies lose the capacity to make enough glucosamine. Having ample glucosamine in your pet's body is essential to producing the nutrients needed to stimulate the production of synovial fluid, the fluid which lubricates your pet's cartilage and keeps your pet's joints healthy. Without enough glucosamine, the cartilage in their weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, and shoulders deteriorate. The cartilage then hardens and forms bone spurs, deformed joints, and limited joint movement. This is how the debilitating disease of arthritis develops.

So How Does Glucosamine Figure Into Healthy Cartilage?
Glucosamine is…

1. a major building block of proteoglycans
2. needed to make glycosaminoglycans, proteins that bind water in the cartilage matrix
3. a source of nutrients for the synthesis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans
4. a stimulant to chondrocytes
5. a key factor in determining how many proteoglycans are produced by the chondrocytes
6. needed to spur chondrocytes to produce more collagen and proteoglycans
7. a regulator of cartilage metabolism which helps to keep cartilage from breaking down

As you can see, glucosamine is a very important factor in maintaining healthy cartilage and rehabilitating cartilage that has deteriorated. It has been shown to be a very beneficial in pets with arthritis. However, glucosamine products can be very different.

When purchasing glucosamine, you must make sure you look for a product which:

1. is high quality - preferably pharmaceutical quality
2. is a liquid - for quicker and full absorption
3. contains other beneficial ingredients like chondroitin, boswellin, bromelain, manganese, yucca, etc.

If you have been putting off buying glucosamine for your pet, I would very much encourage you to not wait any longer. And if you've tried glucosamine in capsule form or are currently taking glucosamine in capsule form, I would very much recommend giving a liquid glucosamine product a try.

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The AAFCO/FDA May Take Animal Supplements off the Market

FDA/AAFCO Set to Remove Animal Supplements from Sale
Here at The Pet Arthritis Resource Center, we have just been made aware of an initiative by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to remove animal supplements from the marketplace. While we have not had enough time to verify the likelihood of this happening, and the actual reasons why the AAFCO is doing this, we are concerned that the AAFCO will attempt to remove pet arthritis supplements from the marketplace in the near future. We have contacted the AAFCO and FDA and will share further information in future newsletters.