23/05/2023
Dr Danny's Arthritis Five Step Plan
Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition, and the treatment is varied. Here is Dr Danny’s Five Step plan for treating arthritis!
1. Weight Loss: Weight loss can alleviate the stress and weight placed on inflamed joints, and help prevent these areas of concern from becoming worse. This can be achieved through changing the exercise regimen or diet for your pet. Weight loss is the most effective solution for helping with long term pain with minimal side effects.
2. Exercise: Even though arthritis is painful, exercise is still important. Exercise also promotes strong muscles, improves joint function and mobility, and may reduce pain. Of course, the exercise needs to be low impact so as to not put excess stress on the joints. A maximum 25-minute slow walk can help, or if you have access to a water bath or pool, water exercise is easy on the joints.
3. Catrophen Injections: This prescription injection is designed to help with the pain and increases the enzymes in the fluid of joints which helps cartilage to heal and is highly effective. It is given once every four weeks, but can have some side effects.
4. Nutraceuticals: Nutraceuticals like fish oil can be used to help with pain and overall health. There is not much evidence about how effective they are but they can help.
5. Anti-inflammatory pain medication: Pain medications such as Metacam can be used to help reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis, and is cost effective and can give relief to you pet in a simple form, rather than an injection
