Glucosamine For Dogs

Can Glucosamine Relieve Arthritis in Dogs?

Are you noticing that your dog is not as active as he used to be?

Canine arthritis affects roughly 25% to 30% of all family pets, causing pain and discomfort. The pain, stiffness and swelling that this condition causes in pets is the same misery that it causes in people. Just as it can destroy your activity level and take away life's little pleasures for you, it can do the same to your dog. Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), or commonly known as dog arthritis, can take an active, playful dog and leave her whimpering in pain, listless and miserable.

Common Types of Dog Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis (general term, also commonly known as canine arthritis)
  • Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow (dysplasia)
  • Knee (dysplasia)
  • Stifle Knee
  • Osteochondrosis
  • Kneecap (dislocation)
Diagnosing the Symptoms
  • Slow to get up from a resting position
  • Joints seem stiff or lame when he or she walks
  • Sudden lack of interest in activities they one enjoy
  • Reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs
  • Unusual aggression when you make physical contact with your pet
Common Veterinarian Treatments

A visit to the vet is always in order when your pet is showing symptoms of pain, swelling and discomfort. The vet can determine if arthritis is the cause, and what kind of arthritis it is.

The traditional response for these condition in dogs is to prescribe NSAIDS such as dog arthritis aspirin for pain. Steroids or surgery may be offered as alternatives for more extreme cases. However, using NSAIDS does come with some risks that should be taken into account. Just as there are side effects for people, there are also side effects for animals. Treating the problem with steroids or surgery presents the possibility of even more risks.

Stomach ulcers and liver damage are some of the possible results of using NSAIDS. OCX-II inhibitors can increase your pets chance of having stroke or even heart attacks. You should also keep in mind that these treatments will only treat the symptoms; they do not actually treat the disease itself.

Fortunately, there is another solution.

Joint supplements containing glucosamine is found to relieve joint pain, even as it helps repair the damaged cartilage. These claims are verified through clinical trials, recent studies and the positive claims of the patients who have used it for their dogs. Glucosamine for dogs will not only treat your pet's pain, it will also help to slow the progress of the disease, and possibly even reverse it.

Glucosamine is derived from chitin (shellfish) shells and is an amino sugar that is a key component required by cartilage. It can help the joints function, and will help them to heal and self-repair. Scientific trails have proven that it will effectively reduce pain, aid in cartilage repair, help renew synovial fluid and repair joints that have suffered the damaging effects of osteoarthritis.

And the results are typically seen within two weeks, so relief for your pet is right around the corner. There have been some extreme cases that took thirty days to see relief, but these are the exception. The best part of all is that these benefits are delivered without any of the dangerous side effects that come along with steroids, surgery, and NSAIDS.

Do you know that more and more vets are coming around to the use of safe and natural joint supplements for dogs? Find out why vets recommend Flexpet, a joint supplement with high quality glucosamine for dogs and how it help heal dog joint pain (with videos)!

Alternatively, find out how orthopedic beds for dogs can provide the ultimate comfort, support and pain relief for your arthritic dog.