Arthritis 
Arthritis Wear and tear of the joints of the body leads to arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. Just as in people, arthritis in dogs causes pain, stiffness, lameness, slowness of movement, and a reluctance to walk as far as usual. Arthritis of the hips and spine most commonly affects older dogs and particularly the heavier breeds.
Arthritic degeneration can also occur in young animals, especially if there has been traumatic injury to the joint or to the bone, or the animal has developed canine hip dysplasia.
Many things contribute to arthritis, including traumatic injury, toxic damage, scar tissue, genetic weaknesses, and nutritional deficiencies.
Many holistic veterinarians recommended acupuncture and/or chiropractic treatment for animals with arthritis.
The combination of the two well-known Ayurvedic herbs boswellia and ashwaganda works wonders on animals with arthritis. These herbs are available in health food stores or through Ayush Herbs (800-925-1371). The liquid form of these herbs can be purchased through Ayush only.
Boswellia is a potent anti-inflammatory shown to help relieve the stiffness and pain of arthritic patients. It effectively shrinks inflamed tissue, the underlying cause of pain in many conditions. It also improves the blood supply to affected areas and promotes repair of local blood vessels damaged by proliferating inflammation.
Ashwaganda acts on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, generating energy and vitality. It works somewhat in the manner of ginseng as an adaptogen—that is, it helps counteract the effects of stress. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory and contains a natural chemical that has an anabolic effect in the body. This means it can help build up muscles that have atrophied around diseased joints.
In a majority of cases you start to see significant improvement with this herbal combination within fourteen to twenty-one days, although in very severe cases it may take three months.
Boswellia: Dogs up to twenty pounds, 10 drops of liquid boswellia twice daily for each ten pounds of body weight; dogs up to thirty pounds, one 500-milligram capsule or tablet twice daily; dogs up to sixty pounds, 500 milligrams three times daily; larger dogs, 1,000 milligrams twice. Give after feeding.
Ashwaganda: Dogs up to twenty pounds, 10 drops of liquid ashwaganda twice daily for each ten pounds of body weight; dogs up to thirty pounds, one 500-milligram capsule or tablet twice daily; dogs up to sixty pounds, 500 milligrams three times daily; larger dogs, 1,000 milligrams twice. Give after feeding.
A classical Chinese herbal formula called Du Huo Jisheng Wan has worked very well for the garden-variety arthritis cases I have treated. The formula, which comes in tiny black pills, contains ginger, cinnamon, angelica, Chinese foxglove, and licorice root. It can be purchased in Chinese groceries or pharmacies.
The formula tonifies the liver, kidney, and blood. The Chinese say it dispels wind and dampness in the joints, lower back, and knees that cause weakness, pain, and stiffness. It is as effective as aspirin or other drugs I used previously for animals who are limping, lame, having a hard time getting up or down, chilled in the winter, or achy whenever the temperature changes.
Often you see improvement within days. I recommend taking the product for one to three weeks and then as needed.
Give twice daily. Small dogs, 2 to 3 pills each time; medium dogs, 5 to 6 pills; larger dogs, up to 10 twice daily.
(See chapter 10 for general dosage guidelines.)
For less severe stiffness, sore joints, or a hard time getting up or going up steps, use Rhus tox and Ruta, two homeopathic remedies. In many cases you will see more ease of motion within two weeks.
Each remedy once daily. Administer them at the same time. Use potencies ranging from 6C to 30C. After two weeks use remedies only as needed. (See chapter 10.)
Dismutase, made by Bio Vet International (800-788-1084), is a whole-food antioxidant supplement prepared from specially grown wheat and soy sprouts. I have used the flavored veterinary version but find that the product for humans works better.
Dismutase counteracts free radicals, molecular renegades in the body that contribute to accelerated aging and disease. The action of this supplement helps put a brake on the destruction of cartilage. It also reduces inflammation.
I expect a response in about three weeks, but it can sometimes happen faster, within days. Animals generally walk, run, and jump more normally. They may move in a strange manner if there has been considerable structural damage to the joint caused by the condition. The supplement will not remake damaged joints; however, the flexibility and energy it generates are often phenomenal. You frequently see older animals displaying the energy of a much younger dog.
A forty-pound dog, 6 tablets daily; giant breeds, up to 10 tablets. Give for at least one month. Afterward slowly reduce dosage to an effective maintenance level for the animal. Give tablets on an empty stomach.
An excellent treat that dogs really love and that has a remarkable effect on arthritic joints is Sea Jerky, made by Coastside BioResources (800-732-8072). The product contains a blend of sea cucumber, crab meat, kelp, glucosamine sulfate, beef, and vitamin E.
I recommend Sea Jerky for any sign of discomfort in the joints. That could mean stiffness, slowness to move, limping, or an animal not wanting to move as far as it used to. When I usually see a case, there is already some erosion of the joint health. Most of these animals don’t turn around to healthy joints again. But I am able to relieve them substantially with this product.
Dogs have much less apparent pain after they start on Sea Jerky. They move more easily instead of hesitating or being lame. My clients say their dogs are acting like puppies again. I see that in my own dog.
There is often significant improvement within two weeks. The results suggest this product may replace other nutritional supplements used for arthritis.
Follow label instructions.
For the stiffness, lameness, and pain involved with osteoarthritis, I use a product for humans called Capra Mineral Whey, made by Mt. Capra Cheese (800-574-1961). This is an easily absorbed natural whole-food supplement in powder form from dehydrated goat’s milk. Dogs like the taste.
The product is a rich source of important minerals, including biologically active sodium—not to be confused with inorganic sodium that is part of salt. Bioactive sodium is stored in various tissues of the body, primarily the walls of the stomach and small intestine, and the joints. Long-term use helps loosen up joints and appears to dissolve osteophytes (calcium deposits). The mode of action is believed related to restoring missing sodium to joint tissue.
When dealing with hard tissue as in osteoarthritis, improvement takes time. Be patient. We put animals on the product for up to three months and then monitor results to determine their minimal effective maintenance dosage. In general, results are very good. I see freer motion and less stiffness and pain.
Dogs under twenty pounds, give one-quarter the full human dose on the label; dogs up to fifty pounds, one-half the label dose; dogs over fifty pounds, full label dose. Mix powder into food.
For severe arthritis and joint disorders, I recommend methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a source of biologically active sulfur. The product is widely available and comes in either powder or capsule form.
I have used MSM for about a dozen years and find it more potent than other popular arthritis supplements, but it usually takes a while to see improvement. Most of the time people tell me MSM works fantastically or it doesn’t work at all. In more than about five hundred cases I have seen good results about 60 percent of the time. Improvement often becomes apparent in six to eight weeks and sometimes within two or three weeks. If the condition isn’t getting better by eight weeks, I try something else. Improvement means more ease, flexibility, and apparent comfort.
One dramatic success involved a fifteen-year-old Weimaraner bitch. She was limping on a foreleg, the result of an old injury that had turned arthritic. I treated her with acupuncture and other remedies, with fairly good results, but it was when we turned to MSM that there was a big change. After one month on MSM the dog was strong in the leg without any sign of limping.
Since that time the owners would occasionally run out of MSM. If the interval was more than a week, the signs of limping would return. After supplementation was resumed, the limping would disappear within days. This is fairly typical with MSM. Once you stop the supplement, symptoms return. Long-term maintenance on MSM is usually needed. The Weimaraner is strong on all her legs now, and it’s three years later.
A thirty-pound dog, give 1/8 teaspoon of powder or one 500-milligram capsule twice daily for one week; dogs sixty pounds or over, 1/4 teaspoon. After one week reduce to one dosage daily. MSM is bitter to the taste, so mix well into food.
You can obtain good results with a number of supplements available in health food stores. If the case is mild, I recommend vitamins C and E and dl-phenylalanine (DLPA), an amino acid excellent for pain and especially useful where animals have hind leg weakness. These three are also good for conditions that are more muscle-related or where there is no clear X-ray evidence of arthritis.
If the case is more severe or not responding to the C, E, and DLPA approach, add sodium oxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant with good anti-inflammatory properties, or any one or more of the popular antiarthritis supplements, such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and green-lipped mussels. If the dog is in much pain, then you need the additional firepower from these supplements. Each acts in a somewhat different way, and often you don’t know which one is the main source of relief. Remember that each animal is individual. Some do better on glucosamine sulfate than on chondroitin. Others benefit more from the green-lipped mussels.
Start slowly. Don’t begin all the supplements at once. You don’t want to overload the system; you might cause some diarrhea. If this happens, cut back on the supplements, particularly vitamin C and SOD.
Improvement frequently is seen in about two weeks, but the range can be anywhere from one day to one month. It is not possible to predict the speed of improvement from an X-ray or the animal’s condition when first brought in. If you want to speed the healing process, I strongly recommend acupuncture with a qualified veterinary specialist. You can also help with regular massaging (refer to chapter 14).
When an animal improves on this program, cut back the dosage of the supplements, such as going from twice to once a day. Some animals, however, may require a full dose on a long-term basis. If an animal starts to show signs of deterioration when you reduce supplement levels, return back to the higher level.
Vitamin C: Give twice daily. Small dogs, 125 milligrams each time; medium dogs, 250 milligrams; large dogs, 500 milligrams; giant breeds, 1,000 milligrams.
Vitamin E: Small dogs, 50 international units (IU) once daily; medium dogs, 100 IU; large dogs, 200 IU; giant breeds, 400 IU.
SOD: Small dogs, 100 milligrams once daily; medium dogs, 200 milligrams; large dogs, 300 milligrams; giant breeds, 400 milligrams. If no improvement, increase to twice daily. Go slow so as not to cause diarrhea.
DLPA: Give twice daily. Small dogs, 100 milligrams each time; medium dogs, 200 milligrams; large dogs, 400 milligrams; giant breeds, 600 milligrams.
Glucosamine sulfate: Give twice daily. Smaller animals, 250 milligrams each time; larger dogs, 500 milligrams.
Chondroitin sulfate: Give twice daily. Smaller animals, 200 milligrams each time; larger dogs, 400 milligrams.
Green-lipped mussels: Small dogs, 150 milligrams once daily; medium dogs, 300 milligrams; large dogs, 450 milligrams; giant breeds, 600 milligrams.
I have been using a product called Arthri-Soothe, available through NaturVet (888-628-8793). In my opinion the formula works better and faster than other cartilage-protective agents on the market. The product consists of chondroitin sulfate, perna mussel, yucca, and boswellia. It helps provide building blocks for the joint fluid and cartilage, as well as for the collagen matrix in general, thus giving strength also to the ligaments and tendons. Depending on the severity of the case, I have seen animals respond within two weeks of starting the supplement.
Follow label instructions.
To help reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis, try Arnica and Ruta, two homeopathic remedies. At the same time, always give your animal nutritional and liver support when dealing with arthritis. Feed a high-quality food without chemicals and preservatives that can stress the digestive tract.
Be aware also that toxins produced by intestinal disorders and poor liver function often cause disruption of normal processes leading to inflammation in the joints. Digestive enzymes and probiotic supplements with beneficial bacteria can help restore normalcy and health in the gut (see section on digestive disorders for comments on enzymes and probiotics).
For the liver, consider using the herb milk thistle to strengthen and nourish a sluggish or sick organ (see Carsten entry in liver section).
Arnica 30C in the A.M. Ruta 30C in the P.M. Give for ten days. If condition improves, determine an appropriate maintenance cycle. An example is ten days on and five days off. Remember that each animal responds differently and for a different duration. If signs of arthritis return after the animal has been off the remedies, start them again.
Use a good pet digestive enzyme and follow label instructions.
Use a probiotic supplement and figure dosage according to weight of animal as compared to a human.
I strongly recommend switching to a better diet with less protein as the first step of any treatment program. Arthritis has an immune component to it. The poor-quality protein typically found in many commercial diets challenges the immune system on a daily basis. When you switch to a better diet, the animal has more ability to deal with the arthritis.
For older dogs with lameness and degenerative joint disease, I often begin treatment with a homeopathic combination of Rhus tox 6X and Bryonia 6X. This is an inexpensive approach that is often very helpful. If the two don’t work, they at least won’t do any harm. I find, however, they often help the older guys who have bad days when the weather is damp. Rhus tox is a good remedy for the animal who tends to be stiff on getting up. Bryonia is a remedy for the animal who tends to get stiffer with activity. I find that animals generally respond better to the two remedies in combination than to each alone. There is a significant improvement in about 40 percent of cases and some improvement in many others. Buy the individual remedies and then mix them together.
Another option is to purchase combination homeopathic products with these and other ingredients. Several such products are Dr. Goodpet’s Arthritis Relief (800-222-9932), HomeoPet’s Arthritis (800-434-0449), and Newton Laboratories’ Rheumatic Pain (800-448-7256). These products are available in many health food stores or through distributors such as Morrill’s New Directions (800-368-5057) or PetSage (800-PET-HLTH).
Rhus tox-Bryonia combination: A half dropperful three times daily.
Other combinations: Follow label instructions.
My overall program also includes acupuncture, chiropractic, and supplements. For the supplement aspect, I recommend two formulas that have been helpful for many of my patients. They can be used along with the homeopathics.
One formula is A.C.A., made by Natural Animal Nutrition (800-548-2899), containing alfalfa, calcium ascorbate (vitamin C), selenium, vitamin E, and chromium. I use this powder supplement for milder cases. I recommend the half-pound size, and if I haven’t seen a response by the end of the container, I conclude it won’t work.
In severe cases I turn to Cosequin, made by Nutramax (800-925-5187). This product is sold through veterinarians only, but a similar formula is sold in health food stores for humans under the brand name Cosamin. Among the many glucosamine products for arthritis now on the market, I find Cosequin the best, even though it is expensive. Cosequin is a neutraceutical—that is, a nutritional supplement that acts in almost a pharmaceutical way. It contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate, substances similar to natural compounds found in healthy cartilage tissue. If at the end of six weeks there is no significant improvement, I try something else. Research has shown that the amount of hip dysplasia is reduced in growing puppies who take this product.
A.C.A. and Cosequin have helped in about 80 percent of cases. These are products given long-term. A.C.A. may be more beneficial than Cosequin for the long term. Arthritis is a chronic, progressive process. Unless you are dealing with an immune-related arthritis in a younger animal, you don’t “cure” arthritis. You manage it. These products help manage the condition.
A.C.A.: For prevention, 1/2 teaspoon daily in food per twenty pounds of body weight. As a therapeutic dose for older animals with arthritis, 1 teaspoon per twenty pounds.
Cosequin: For prevention, 1 capsule daily of the normal-strength formula for puppies under forty pounds; larger puppies, 2 capsules. Give product until puppy is full-grown. For animals with arthritis, follow label instructions.
I believe acupuncture is the number one method for arthritis. Number two is homeopathy. Seek a holistic veterinarian who is skilled in either of these techniques for an individualized treatment and maximum results.
At a veterinary acupuncture course years ago I learned about a special arthritis diet, which I subsequently have recommended to clients. Many animals improve on this diet alone. I suggest also adding a good vitamin/mineral supplement and digestive enzymes. Often I will treat animals two or three times with acupuncture in the beginning and then send them home with the diet. It is amazing how well they do within a month’s time. Normally they don’t need much follow-up.
Ingredients:
2 cups brown rice
2 cups barley (pearls)
1 cup lentils
1 cup celery
1/2 cup parsley
2 cups spinach
2 cups lamb or beef heart
2 garlic cloves
8 to 12 cups water
Directions: Combine ingredients in a large pot. Bring to boil and then simmer for 1 1/4 hours. Keep pot covered. Stir every fifteen minutes. Add water if needed. Feed daily for a month or until significant improvement. Afterward you can make changes and even feed it just part of the time, although it can be used as a maintenance diet if you don’t mind going to the trouble. Later you can vary ingredients, such as changing meats and rotating vegetables. The diet also helps for weight loss and energy.