A trend seen first in the food market can also be noticed in the field of medicine. Right now, more people are learning the principles of holistic health treatment and the use of natural ingredients to treat ailments. This can also be observed in the treatment of dog illnesses, especially dog arthritis. 

 

Although natural medications may be helpful, most vets (myself included) are still wary to rely fully on these types of treatments. Nonetheless, if a client would like to try a more natural approach,  I will respect their wishes and integrate these herbal medications with standard dog arthritis treatment.

 

Dog Arthritis Treatment with Herbal Medicine

 

Early Dog Arthritis. It is hard to diagnose dog arthritis in its early stages, since your dog may not show discomfort. Hence, as a dog owner, a keen eye is important to detect any limping or difficulty in moving. Treatment for this stage consists of weight management through exercise and proper diet with a supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin to rehabilitate the damaged joint cartilage. I also suggest dog massage or physical therapy to improve blood circulation in the affected areas.

 

Moderate Dog Arthritis. The symptoms for this stage such as pain and inflammation are now more pronounced as your dog may show reluctance to run, jump, or go up stairs. With decreased movement muscle mass, especially in the thighs, might decrease. To address the symptoms, Vitamin E and Selenium supplements can be administered. The combination of Omega-3 and Wobenzym is also effective. For a more alternative approach, you can also integrate acupuncture and Chinese herb tonics in the treatment.

 

Advanced Dog Arthritis. We don’t want your pet’s dog arthritis to reach this stage. The pain can too much for your dog to bear - your pet may need assistance to stand up or lie down. Urinating and defecating will also be difficult. Behavioral changes such as social withdrawal and defensive aggression can be observed. To address the symptoms of chronic pain and inflammation, pain killers (such as Tramadol or Amantadine), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Metacam or Rimadyl) should be used. Applying physical therapy is necessary to prevent further muscle atrophy. 

 

Although herbal medications may not be effective in this stage, a tonic made of strong analgesic herbs (1/3 devils claw, 1/3 corydalis and 1/3 ginger) can be used. Alfalfa or meadowsweet might  also help. The doses should be proportional to human doses.

 

There are many treatments for dog arthritis. I see that as a good thing, giving you the opportunity to pick what works best for your dog and minimize the side effects of each. This is called multi-modal therapy and you can read about it on my blog.

 

Herbal Treatments for Dog Arthritis (PDF)

 

Metacam is an NSAID used to suppress pain and inflammation caused by dog arthritis. Its analgesic property comes from its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory COX enzymes. Metacam, generic name Meloxicam, was first developed by Boehringer-Ingelheim and is available commercially in the form of a honey-flavored suspension contained in a squeeze bottle with a measuring dose syringe. 

 

Giving Your Dog Metacam 

 

Metacam can only be purchased with a veterinarian’s prescription. Just like any NSAID, Metacam can cause harmful side effects; hence, it is important for dog owners to use the drug carefully and follow the vet’s instructions closely.  

 

Normally, the prescribed dosage for Metacam is 0.1 milligrams per pound of your dog’s weight for the first day. For the following days, the dose is decreased to 0.05 milligrams per pound of your dog’s weight. Metacam should only be given once a day.  

 

For adult dogs, the NSAID can be given directly into the mouth. However, for dogs under six months, Metacam should be mixed in their food.  

 

For proper storage, Metacam should be stored in room temperature, protected from light, moisture, and heat. 

 

Metacam Safety Issues 

 

Metacam inhibits the effects of COX enzymes. Regrettably, these enzymes are also important components of the protective lining of the stomach and upper intestine. In addition, they maintain the blood circulation in the kidneys. With this in mind, the use of the drug could potentially lead to the development of ulcers, intestinal bleeding, or kidney failure in sensitive individuals. Dog owners, therefore, should take note of the following symptoms:

 

When you observe any of these symptoms, take your dog immediately to your vet so that the necessary treatment can be given to counter  Metacam’s side effects .  

 

Another important issue that you and your vet should discuss is drug interactions. Inform your vet of any medications that you have recently given to your dog. The following is a short (incomplete) list of some of the drugs that should not be taken with Metacam:

 

Lastly, there are certain dogs that should not be given Metacam, and these are dogs allergic to NSAIDs, dogs that have ulcers or pre-existing liver or kidney disease, dogs that have high blood pressure or are susceptible to heart disease and dogs with blood disorders.

 

Dog Arthritis with NSAIDs Part 2 - Metacam (PDF)

Previcox, generic name Firocoxib, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of dog arthritis and post-operative pain. Previcox belongs to the COXIB class of NSAIDs, so its effects are limited to the pro-inflammatory COX-2 enzyme.  

 

Using Previcox Safely 

 

Previcox can only be bought with a vet’s prescription. If Previcox is being considered as a treatment option for dog arthritis, the following topics should be discussed with your pet: 

 

1. Side Effects. Previcox unfortunately has its side effects. In fact, like many NSAIDs, it has been attributed to several NSAID-related deaths. Thus, dog owners should keep a close eye on the following side effects as these may be a sign that your dog is not responding well to Previcox: vomiting; diarrhea; dark, tarry, or bloody stool; increased thirst and urination; and jaundice. If you observe that your dog has one of these symptoms, take your pet to the nearest animal hospital or clinic for diagnosis and treatment.

 

2. Drug Interactions. These are some of the drugs that can be dangerous if administered at the same time with Previcox: other NSAIDs; Corticosteroids; Enalapril; Phenylpropanolamine; Methotrexate; Phenobarbital; and cardiac, anticonvulsant, and behavior medications.

 

3. Your Dog’s Current Condition. Previcox should not be given to your dog if it is allergic to NSAIDs, is less than ten weeks old, has pre-existing renal or gastro-intestinal conditions or has been diagnosed with von Willebrand's disease

 

Preventing An Over Dose

 

Previcox can be very dangerous when it is used improperly. Previcox can only be bought when you have a vet’s prescription. It is very important that you strictly adhere to whatever instructions your vet has given you. The standard dosage for Previcox is around 2.27 milligrams per pound of the dog’s weight once a day.   

 

Previcox is sold in the form of beef-flavored chewable tablets. It is given to dogs orally, with or without food. However, the dog must have enough water to drink.  

 

Since Previcox is artificially flavored, it is best to store the drug securely to prevent any accidental over dosage. Store the drug out of reach from dogs, children or other animals.    

 

Dog Arthritis and NSAIDs  3 – Previcox  (PDF)