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The
Use of Oral Nutritional
Supplements for Dogs Joint Health
by Dr. Henry De Boer
Question: I
am confused about the use of oral nutritional supplements for my
dogs joint health. What is your opinion of these products?
Answer:
Working dogs by virtue of their vigorous activity levels tend to
tax joints far more than the average pet dog. Accordingly, the
wear and tear on joint surfaces (cartilage) can be very
significant, and ultimately lead to degenerative joint disease,
better known as arthritis.
Arthritis
can also develop as a result of a number of genetic and
congenital disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Many of
our dogs are working with some level of arthritis present, as
well as experiencing significant joint changes after being
retired from work. The result of these changes can be manifest
with pain, stiffness and a loss of normal
joint
range. Clearly, anything that we can do to minimize these
changes will help our dogs to continue to work, play and enjoy
retirement comfortably.
In
recent years we have witnessed a relatively dramatic increase in
the use of oral nutritional supplementation to help manage
arthritis.
These
oral nutritional supplements have been called chondroprotective
agents. Any discussion about how these agents work or how
effective they are has to be somewhat vague due to the fact that
there is not a great deal of hard scientific information
regarding their function or benefit. The majority of information
available regarding how these agents may function is
theoretical. The information concerning their benefits is
predominantly non-scientific testimonials.
Articular
cartilage is the surface between joints that provides for smooth
low friction movement between bones. Transmission of mechanical
forces from one bone to another is also accomplished by
articular cartilage.
Arthritis
is a disorder of joints that can be characterized by
deterioration of the articular cartilage. Additionally we can
see abnormal bone formation as well as changes to the soft
tissue supportive structures around the joint. In most cases,
arthritis in our dogs is caused by trauma within the joint. This
trauma is most commonly the result of abnormal stresses within
the joint due to joint laxity or instability, or confirmational
flaws that lead to excessive wear within the joint.
Articular
cartilage is not a static tissue. it is constantly remodeling
itself to create the healthiest, most efficient and effective
joint possible.
Cartilage
consists of cells called chondrocytes which synthesize and
deposit proteins around themselves to give the cartilage its
desired properties. Theoretically, when there are insufficient amounts of the raw materials necessary for this synthesis, the
cartilage will deteriorate, and arthritis will develop.
The
theory behind the use of chondroprotective agents is to provide
increased amounts of those "raw materials" required
for cartilage repair and regeneration. Two of the primary raw
materials are glucosamine and chondroition sulfate.
Given
the relative lack of scientific information available about
these products my initial impression was that they were simply
another way of separating dog owners from their money. However,
after hearing a number of testimonials from owners who I felt
were capable of evaluating improvement (or lack of improvement)
in a reasonably objective fashion, I decided to try them. I have
been using them now for a number of years, and while the results
hardly constitute anything scientific, there is no doubt in my
mind as to their benefit in dogs with known existing arthritic
changes. Some dogs seem to benefit more than others, but the
best results seem to be in dogs with arthritic changes in highly
mobile joints such as hips, knees, elbows and shoulders. The
effect of their use in low mobility joints appears to be
minimal. I have not witnessed any meaningful side effects from
the use of these agents, even when administered over a number of
years.
There
are three circumstances in which I typically use
chondroprotective agents. If a dog has radiographic evidence of
arthritic change in a highly mobile joint, I recommend using the
product at the dosage suggested by the manufacturer. It is
important to note that in many cases it will be at least six to
eight weeks before any meaningful change will be noted in the
dogs comfort level and movement. I will also use them subsequent
to joint surgery. For example, if a dog tears an anterior
cruciate ligament and requires surgical correction it is
virtually inevitable that arthritis will ultimately develop in
that joint. In this situation I typically recommend
approximately one half the manufacturers suggested dosage. The
theory behind the use of the product in this fashion is to slow
the degradation of the joint that is bound to occur. Thirdly, in
dogs that are truly abusive to joints by virtue of their work or
activity levels I use approximately one quarter of a therapeutic
dose. In my opinion it is impossible to prove any benefit from
the administration of these products when they are being used
prophylactically. However, given their apparent effect in known
arthritic cases as well as their lack of any consequential side
effect in the majority of cases, it is difficult to make a case
for not using them in such a fashion.
There
are a number of these products available and distinguishing
between them in terms of benefit is even more difficult than
finding scientific evidence documenting their function. Some
products are naturally occurring, some are pharmaceutical grade
extractions. Most have other agents added as well as glucosamine
and chondroitin sulfate. I have witnessed apparent positive
results with a number of products. As time goes on, more
experience is gained, and more research done, we will probably
be able to distinguish between these products more confidently as
well as seeing improvement in the product themselves. In the
meantime we will all have to be comfortable with the anecdotal evidence that supports their benefit to our dogs.
Following his
1973 graduation from Cornell University, Dr. Henry De Boer
established Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital, based in western
Massachusetts, in
1975.
His involvement
with working dogs dates to the mid 1960�s when he began
training and handling hunting dogs. In 1984 he became involved
with the sport of Schutzhund and has gradually risen to the
level of national competitor.
Through the years
he has worked both in a training and veterinary capacity with a
wide variety of working dogs. His knowledge and enthusiasm for
working dogs led to the establishment of Working K-9 Veterinary
Consultation Services. This service provides veterinary
consultations for working canines and is available by phone,
fax, or email.
Copying
and distributing of this article may be done only with the
authors consent. For information on reprinting this article
contact:
Working
K-9 Veterinary Consultation Service
738
East Mountain Road
Guilford
VT 05301
802-254-1015
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