Pet Arthritis Specialist Scarborough ME

Practitioner's Corner—About Pets: Arthritis

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By Bob and Susan Goldstein

Q: Our dog has been suffering from arthritis for two years now, but I don’t want to give her Rimadyl because of the side effects. Do you have any suggestions?

A: You’re wise to avoid the Rimadyl. It’s a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, so it can cause stomach upset and vomiting; long-term use may also be harmful to the liver. Fortunately, there are safe alternatives that offer more than temporary relief.

Pet store shelves are filled with anti-inflammatory products that help with arthritis, but we get the best results from a newer one called K9 Liquid Health. It’s a drinkable preparation of glucosamine, aloe vera, chondroitin, and MSM, all proven arthritis fighters.

Once you have the pain under control, don’t stop there. Arthritis is often a symptom of weaknesses in particular areas of the immune system. Nutritional blood tests can tell you which aspects might be involved, and your veterinarian can then suggest nutrients to strengthen those weak links.

Another issue might be your dog’s diet. If it’s too acidic, it could be fueling the arthritis; an acidic environment helps to propagate free radicals, which can cause inflammation. Most commercially prepared dog food is loaded with acid-producing protein byproducts and short on alkaline nutrients such as minerals that are found in fresh fruits and vegetables.

A great way to alkalinize the body is to incorporate fresh-squeezed juice (celery, carrot, apple) or soup into your dog’s program. Here is a great recipe for a broth you can feed your dog every day: In a 2-quart pot, boil and simmer the following ingredients for 1 hour: 1 to 11¼2 quarts of distilled water, the skins of 4 large potatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 stalks of celery, and 2 carrots.

Author: Bob and Susan Goldstein

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