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| Health Info
» Glucosamine & Pets |
GLUCOSAMINE & MY PET
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Why
should I give my pet
Glucosamine?
Many dogs suffer from joint
pain, which is very similar
to that suffered by people.
Some dog breeds such as
Labs, Golden Retreivers,
Bloodhounds, St. Bernards,
Boxers and Rottweilers are
particularly predisposed to
arthritis due to age-related
cartilage degeneration. The
most common form of
arthritis in dogs,
especially the breeds
mentioned above, is
osteroarthritis.
Osteoarthritis in dogs is a
slowly progressing disease
that occurs due to the
breakdown and destruction of
your dog's cartilage. As it
gets worse, the bones begin
to grind against one another
causing pain, reducing
flexibility, increasing
inflammation, and reducing
mobility. Another common
form of arthritis in dogs is
something known as “Canine
Hip Dysplasia” or CHD. This
is a painful and crippling
disease that results in a
weakened hip joint in dogs
that causes painful
inflammation and decreased
flexibility. Many vets now
recommend glucosasmine for
both osteoarthritis and CHD.
CHD not only impacts the hip
joint but also the knee,
shoulder and spinal joints.
Symptoms of CHD and those of
osteoarthritis are very
similar and glucosamine has
been shown to be beneficial
for both conditions.
Glucosamine can greatly
benefit a dog's joint health
and ensure that they are
mobile and active.
Glucosamine is found in
cartilage and synovial fluid
and is a normal constituent
of your dog's
glycosaminoglycans, which
form part of the ground
substance of connective
tissue found throughout your
dog's body. The majority of
clinical studies on the
impact of glucosamine on
joint health in dogs has
been carried out using
glucosamine hydrochloride,
the form chosen by Natural
Science and used in our
formulation for dogs. MSM
has an established history
of benefit for decreasing
inflammation in animals,
including dogs and horses,
and so is provided in
combination with glucosamine
hydrochloride. As in humans,
manganese and vitamin C have
been shown to improve the
clinical performance of
glucosamine in
osteoarthritis. Therefore,
we also add these
ingredients to our dog
formulation. Recommended
daily intakes are made to be
consistent with the weight
of your dog.
ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS in
PETS:
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
and canine hip dysplasia in
dogs are:
For smaller dogs, yowling or
grumbling when lifted or
handled
- Lameness
- A lack of motivation
to move
- Stiffness
- Increased
sensitivity to touch
- A marked change of
behavior
- A faint popping
sound coming from the
back legs with each step
- Difficulty getting
up from a lying or
sitting position
- While moving, moving
both rear legs in unison
- Difficulty climbing
stairs
- A painful or violent
reaction to an extension
of their rear legs
- Play or exercise
taking more of a toll
than it used to
- Reluctance to walk,
climb stairs, jump, or
play
- Hiding or
disappearing from sight
- Whining or making
noises for no other
reason
Many dogs afflicted with
osteoarthritis or hip
dysplasia will likely have
problems walking up stairs,
slowness in rising, lameness
after exercise and they can
show personality changes due
to their ever present pain.
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