PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —
According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects one
in every five adult dogs in the United States and is one of the
most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat. Pet
owners can easily be overwhelmed by the variety of treatment
options available to help alleviate their pet’s symptoms.
NationalPetPharmacy.com provides the following nutritional
recommendations for managing joint disease in pets.
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“Unfortunately, there is no single magic cure for arthritis and
joint pain in pets,” states Alex Molldrem, DVM. “The most effective
treatment plan typically involves a combination of weight
management, nutritional supplements, dietary changes, and
prescription medications.”
When pets are diagnosed with arthritis, there are several
nutritional changes that can be made to help alleviate the
symptoms. First and foremost is the pet’s weight. Approximately 25
to 40 percent of adult dogs are overweight(1). With each and every
step, the excess weight pets carry around is extra impact on their
joints. This persistent impact steadily erodes away any remaining
joint cartilage. Slow and steady non-impact exercise, such as
swimming or walking, is ideal to burn off the extra calories
without further degrading joint health. Exercise not only helps
maintain heart, lung, and digestive health, but it also increases
blood flow and oxygenation to the joints, ultimately helping to
maintain joint health and lubrication. Low calorie vet
diets can also help pets shed the extra pounds.
