It is tough to see your pet dog suffering due to pain from arthritis. You can see the pain in the animal’s eye. Most of us will like to take some action to relieve the dog of this pain. It is a good thing that there is an option where you can help the pet ease the pain and even do something so that the dog does not get this disease.

Arthritis can strike dogs of any age, size, and physical condition. It’s still a mystery as to what causes arthritis, but many researchers suggest it is an autoimmune disease — a disease that causes the body to turn against its own immune system.

When arthritis strikes, it causes cartilage to break down. Cartilage is the dense connective tissue that protects the joint between bones. In dogs, these areas include the hip, knee, and ankle joints. However, arthritis can occur in other locations such as the feet or spine. As the cartilage wears away the bones rub together, leading to pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Symptoms of arthritis in dogs include:

The dog finds it difficult to stand, sit or move from the bed or floor ? Some limbs are effected ? Reduction in activity, extra sleep, no interest in playing ? Gaining weight ? Alteration in approach or behavior ? Looking stiff with tender joints ? The joints are inflamed

Glucosamine is considered as a treatment for arthritis in dogs by scientists nowadays. It is a molecule of glucose which is natural secretion of the body. It keeps the tissues in the joints together as a fuel for cells in the cartilage cell. There is less production of glucosamine in the aging dogs and this is the reason for stiffening and wearing cartilage.

The cartilage constituent which is supposed to control the enzymes which break down cartilage is known as Chondroitin. It is important to have the required amount of Glucosamine and chondroitin to keep healthy joints. They are able to maintain as well as restore the cartilage tissues together.

A scientific trial was done on rats in 1998 where they were injected arthritis into the system. The group was separated into two. Glucosamine and chondroitin was administered to one group and the others were left to themselves. While 96.5 percent of group which was not treated got the symptoms of arthritis, just 54 percent of the group who were given glucosamine and chondroitin got arthritis symptoms.

Symptoms of secondary arthritis can be treated by Glucosamine and Chondroitin in dogs also. Any type of surgery or hurt can lead to this arthritis. As per some research the signs of osteoarthritis can also be decreased in dogs with the help of this mixture.

This is the last point but equally important that there are no side effects if you add Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements to the meal you give to him when he is very small also. Nevertheless it will be better if an expert is consulted before doing it as there are some contradictory reports on the studies made on this and he will give you the right advice.

Related posts:

1. Identifying Arthritis in Dogs
2. What Can You Do for a Dog With Arthritis?
3. Arthritis Treatment for Dogs