Managing arthritis and inflammation in your dog should be a joint effort between you the pet owner and your veterinarian. Speak with your veterinarian about a prescription brand or generic drugs available for your pet.

In the past, dogs suffering from arthritis and pain did not have many options for pain management and inflammation.  A new class of drugs have changed the way pet owners and veterinarians treat arthritis and pain in dogs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) have become the method of choice for many dog owners. These drugs include Carprofen, firocoxib and meloxicam. They offer a long-acting and effective treatment for canine arthritis. Some NSAIDS are available as brand name drugs such as Rimadyl (Carprofen), one of the most widely prescribed NSAIDs for arthritis.  

Because arthritis can require long term treatment and pain management, Rimadyl can become quite an expensive treatment option. Pharmaceutical companies have created a generic to Rimadyl called Novox.

Both Novox and Rimadyl are NSAID’s, which means they are a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication used to treat pain and inflammation due to arthritis and other joint diseases, including osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. They can also be used to reduce fever and relieve short-term post-operative pain. These medications both consist of the key ingredient of Carprofen, which is the ingredient responsible for reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

Let’s take a look at their similarities:

-They’re both available in 25mg, 75mg, and 100mg.

-Equally effective.

-Easy to administer.

-Contain the same ingredient (Carprofen ).

 -Available in caplets.

 -Available in 30, 60, and 180 counts.

The only difference between these two medications is that Rimadyl is available in a chewable tablet, while Novox isn’t but, there is a solution to this problem if your pet does not cooperate with caplets, administer the caplets with pill pockets. Pill Pals are a treat for your pet but it allows you to insert pills so that you can disguise their medication with a treat. The ingredients in the Pill Pals  with not interfere with the prescribed medication.  It’s available in a fresh chicken flavor for capsules or tablets.                                                                                                                     

 

 

The other major difference is the cost, Novox  is significantly cheaper. Buying the generic of a medication will make both you and your pet happy. You, the pet owner will save money while your pet will receive the same medication they need to relieve them of pain and inflammation.

Canine arthritis is no joke!

Canine arthritis is no joke.  This painful condition can leave your dog miserable. The most common form of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis which causes the inflammation of a joint or joints.  Canine arthritis can affect your dog’s neck, hips, shoulders, elbows and back.  This debilitating disease affects mostly older dogs, but may also affect younger ones as well.

Arthritis may occur in dogs because of various reasons.  Some causes are traumatic injury, extreme obesity, a genetic weakness and improper bone development.  Arthritis is a disease which usually takes quite a bit of time to develop.  If detected and treated in its early stages, the overall outcome is generally better.  No one wants to see their dog suffer.  That’s why it’s important for dog owners to receive ample information about this disease and have their dog treated as early as possible. 

Dogs with arthritis can’t tell you they’re hurting.  Instead, dog owners need to be able to recognize the warning signs.  One common symptom of arthritis is lameness or limpness in one or more legs.  If you notice your dog favoring one leg more than the other, it may be a sign of arthritis.  Dogs may also whimper or moan when one or more of their joints are touched.  Another way to watch for canine arthritis is to see if your dog has trouble jumping up on the furniture or shows difficulty climbing into the car.  A dog suffering with arthritis will usually sleep more and show signs of lethargy.  An arthritic dog may have joints which appear swollen and his movements may be stiff or awkward.  If your dog shows any of these symptoms, it’s important to take him to the veterinarian for an evaluation.

It’s crucial to have your dog examined by a professional if you suspect he has arthritis.  At the clinic, the veterinarian should give your dog a thorough examination and check for tenderness in the joints.  The veterinarian may also take x-rays and perform an analysis of your dog’s joint fluid.  If your dog is diagnosed with canine arthritis, you will need to discuss the possible forms of treatment with the veterinarian.  Always ask the veterinarian first before giving any pain medication to your dog.  Some human drugs may be harmful to them.

One of the most common forms of arthritis treatment is drug therapy.  The veterinarian may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication as well as a pain reliever.  Allivet.com carries a wide selection of anti-inflammatory and pain medication such as Rimadyl, Metacam Oral Suspension, Deramaxx Tablets, Adequan Injectable, and Sarapin.

Another component of the treatment might include a weight-loss program.  Obesity is a major problem for quite a few dogs diagnosed with arthritis.  Losing weight may help alleviate some of the stress on the joints. Allivet Pet Pharmacy carries dietary food such as Purina Canine Overweight Management Formula, Purina JM Joint Mobility Formula and Vetri Lean Tablets, a weight loss support supplement for dogs.  Proper exercise and better eating habits should be important parts of a dog’s weight-loss program.

Many people have found that canine dietary supplements help combat the effects of arthritis. Your veterinarian may suggest giving your dog supplements containing Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Omega fatty acids, and Hyaluronic Acid HA. Allivet.com carries a wide selection of Pets joint supplement such as Cosequin, Conquer K9, Glyco-Flex, and Synovi-G3. View them all. Another form of treatment that might help your dog is pet massage.  This treatment may alleviate some of your arthritic dog’s joint discomfort and make him feel more comfortable.
There are some things dog owners can do around the house in order to make life easier for the arthritic dog.  Providing your dog with a well-cushioned sleeping area is a good first step. Also, raising the food and water dishes may also be a good idea. Leashes such as Bottom’s up Leash work by supporting a portion of the dog’s hind legs during activities. Your dog may appreciate not having to bend quite so far for his food and water.  Applying moist heat to your dog’s affected joints by using a hot water bottle may give him some relief.  Make sure that your dog does not stay wet for any length of time because this may make his symptoms worse.  Always keep your arthritic dog as warm and as dry as you can.  Installing ramps in the house in order to lessen the stress of climbing stairs is also an option.  Some dog owners purchase special dog steps which eliminate the need for unnecessary jumping.

Canine arthritis can make your dog miserable, but it is treatable.  Dog owners need to watch for possible signs of canine arthritis.  Visit the veterinarian if your dog shows difficulty climbing or jumping, whimpers or moans from joint pain, moves stiffly, or has swollen joints.  Various treatment options are available.  Drug therapy, controlling obesity and dietary supplements are all possibilities in the fight against canine arthritis.  Changing some aspects of your dog’s environment may help as well.  With the right amount of medical treatment and lots of loving care, arthritic dogs have a better chance of living happily and comfortably.

 

 

By J.S. Gordon - Copyright 2012 Allivet Trusted Pet Pharmacy