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

Table of Contents:

1. NEW Pet Arthritis Resource Center Website
2. Content from The Pet Arthritis Resource Center
3. Hip Dysplasia
4. Pet Arthritis Message Boards

NEW Website!

Look forward to seeing you there.

Feeding Options for Dogs with Arthritis The Federal Government (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) does not mandate that ingredients used in pet food be inspected. How much glucosamine do Fido or Fluffy really need? If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that I am a strong advocate of safe approaches to dealing with your pet's arthritis.

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Hip Dysplasia

We have discussed issues about the use of liquid glucosamine for pets suffering from arthritis. This time, I would like to focus a little more on hip dysplasia and steps that can be taken to deal with this often complex issue.

Who suffers from Hip Dysplasia?
Broadly speaking, hip dysplasia (a malformed hip socket) strikes generally in larger breeds of dogs although not exclusively with them. This excessive movement in the affected joint caused calcium deposits, chronic inflammation problems and this all adds to greater degeneration in the joint. It is interesting to note that this condition is not present at birth; it develops in the puppy stage.

There is also some controversy about what causes hip dysplasia. Some say it is genetic but this is not conclusive. In fact, a closer reading of the literature reveals some other factors.

The issue with larger breed dogs is weight. And of course, the more they weigh the greater the problem is.

Liquid Glucosamine and Other Factors
Our regular readers know that I am a very strong advocate for using liquid glucosamine in dealing with hip dysplasia and other arthritis related conditions in family pets. The success reported by pet owners seems to bear the conclusion that it is a highly successful avenue to follow.

Other Synergistic Ingredients
A pharmaceutical quality liquid Glucosamine formula does not stand alone. My experience tells me that other ingredients used synergistically with Glucosamine are much more effective. In particular, let's focus on one.

Liquid Formulas, Vitamin C, Diet
Most pills and capsules contain various binders and fillers that can make it more difficult for the pills' or capsules' desirable active ingredients to be absorbed by your body. In some pills, as little as 10-20% of the active ingredients are absorbed. We are confident that the glucosamine in liquid glucosamine is absorbed much more effectively (80-90% absorption). In addition, liquid forms of nutritional supplements are absorbed more quickly by the body than are those in solid form and, thereby, go to work more quickly.

Studies:
There are very few companies that can afford to fund absorption studies of their products. Instead, like Activex America, most companies rely upon scientific studies of absorption done on the key ingredients in their products. The key ingredient in Syn-flex is glucosamine and the studies of which we are aware all show absorption of glucosamine in humans to be over 85%. The most significant studies were done by a scientist named Setnikar with several of his colleagues (you can find reports of his studies at many places on the internet). Our reading of the studies is confirmed by a Prototype Monograph on Glucosamine prepared by the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council and published by the National Academy Sciences. At page C-2 of the Monograph, the scientists note that glucosamine sulfate is easily absorbed with about 90% of it being absorbed regardless of dose size.

In reviewing the clinical studies, it is interesting to note that researchers have also implicated a Vitamin C deficiency in the development of hip dysplasia (chronic sub clinical scurvy.) If that is the case, then the theory would be that the hip forms poorly because of a weakness in the ligaments and muscles that surround the joint. For that reason, a liquid glucosamine formula should contain Vitamin C.

Prevention
Since hip dysplasia begins in early puppyhood, this is also an indication that you should not wait until you see signs of arthritis in your dog before using liquid glucosamine. I would submit that using doses appropriate to their body weight would be a good preventive step.

Diet
I have said this before and will say it aqain. Pets that are fed as much natural food as possible stand a better chance against developing arthritis and as well, when they are coping with it. The more natural the food you feed your pet, the better off they will be in the long run.

What's right?
I don't think there is any "perfect" solution as to what a more natural diet should be for your pet. I do recommend that if you are using commercially manufactured foods, that you use caution as to what you buy. (See, our prior Pet Arthritis Chronicles) But you might consider this. If you stay in the three basic food groups recommended for humans you have it about right.

Try feeding them some combinations of raw vegetables. As well, I recommend some fruits in the mix. There is one major exception to using any "fruits." Grapes can be toxic to pets as recently reported (liver failure).

If you are feeding them legumes like beans, split peas and lentils that is also good. However, you are going to have to cook them. If you are short on time and want to stay with the food group, use tofu as a substitute.

Time
Most of us just do not have the time to devote to these feeding situations. If so, try tackling this by preparing batches in advance and freezing them.

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...

Jboyd4
Posted on 4 Nov 2004

My sweet Chow is 12 years old and has been on Dermaxx for 2 years. With Vioxx being recalled and Celebrex under the same scrutiny, should I be concerned? Is there something else out there that's better?

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

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This concludes the November Issue of The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. Look for the next issue in your inbox on December 15th, 2004!

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