From Dr. Franklin Utchen, as printed in Inside Bay Area:
Arthritis is common in dogs, and the problem can happen in all the major joints.
There are a number of things that can be done for arthritis and pain in general. In fact, virtually anything that can be done for humans in pain has a counterpart in veterinary medicine.
To understand the use of these medications, a brief explanation of normal joint anatomy is necessary. Inside a joint wherever two bones contact each other, the ends of the bones are coated with a smooth layer of cartilage. This is the shock-absorbing surface that makes normal movement of the joints smooth and comfortable. However, if the cartilage begins wearing out and becoming rough due to injury, infection, age or because the joint never fit perfectly to begin with (this is called “dysplasia”), movement of the joint becomes painful. This is referred to as “Osteoarthritis” although many doctors simply refer to it by the colloquialism “arthritis.”
First, for arthritis or other causes of pain, anti-inflammatory painkiller medications can be used. These block pain and inflammation in the body.
For dogs there are a variety of medications like this. Collectively, this new class of medications is referred to as “COX-2 Inhibitors. We have been using this type of medication in dogs for almost a decade now, with excellent results. These drugs (Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam, and Zuprin) are far safer for dogs than over-the-counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, and their efficacy can return many if not most dogs with arthritis to excellent mobility.
Second, compounds called “Glucosamine” and “Chondroitin” can be given to help with arthritis pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks for new cartilage. When taken daily, over time these compounds insert themselves into the damaged cartilage coating inside the joints, thereby restoring more smooth functioning and better shock absorption to the joint. Because the way glucosamine and chondroitin work to help an arthritic joint is by continually inserting themselves into damaged areas of the cartilage, these must be given daily to avoid the deterioration of the cartilage once again into the painful state of arthritis.
As opposed to the anti-inflammatory painkillers mentioned above, which are often used on an as-needed basis with people and pets, glucosamine and chondroitin products should be given every day. It may take 1 to 2 months to see benefits after supplementation with these products has begun. One caveat: as these compounds are not regulated by the FDA, there is no assurance that over-the-counter products actually contain the amount of glucosamine and chondroitin stated on the label. Always purchase glucosamine from a reliable source, and use a product with a reliable track record.
Third, in addition to anti-inflammatory painkillers and glucosamine/chondroitin products, there are a number of other painkiller medications used for different reasons. For example, a potent morphine-like drug called “Fentanyl” can be given to dogs and cats using a transdermal patch. What’s that, you ask? Same thing as a nicotine patch, but with a painkiller in it instead of nicotine. This is commonly used as a means of pain control for the first few days after surgery.
