Joint Diseases: Fighting Back Naturally
Nutritional & non-drug therapy help
for arthritis and hip dysplasia
Many of our pets through age, heredity, or physical stress
are showing signs of joint pain and discomfort. While some
pets are predisposed to these crippling ailments through
breeding, other factors such as weight, joint stress, even
diet can bring on symptoms and are often overlooked.
With conventional treatments, such as
prescriptive drugs working to subdue the discomfort, often
the underlying disease is neglected1. Increasingly though,
researchers, veterinarians, and owners are finding help
by recognizing the roles of nutrition, environmental factors,
and non-drug therapies. Now our pets are benefiting from
an ever an increasing range of natural alternative treatments
that have few, if any, side effects and begins with nutrition.
Nutrition - Commercial foods have improved
tremendously over the last few years. Yet, just as we should
improve our own health with fruits, vegetable, and whole
grains, we should also try to offer more natural diets to
our pets.
Dietary Supplements - Studies now offer
evidence that while many of the antioxidants and trace minerals
found in a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement are beneficial,
of particular interest are Ester-C, a non-acidic form of
the anti-oxidant vitamin C2, and the omega-3 fatty acids
- EPA and DHA. Other supplements include shark cartilage,
Coenzyme Q10, and chondroitin sulfate.
Weight - Recent studies have shown that
40-60% of adult cats and dogs are dangerously overweight.
Pets are given too many treats, too much food, and too little
exercise3. Maintaining your arthritic pet's ideal weight
is important because of the stress extra pounds can place
on the joints.
Environmental factors - When was the last
time the floor felt comfortable to you? Not to mention the
cold drafts or dampness. New heated bedding designs and
joint supporting fillings can help provide soothing relief
AFTER exercise sessions.
Herbal Remedies - Animals are the
original herbalists. And, most of what we know about herbs
we have learned from animals, whether through observation
of animals in the wild, or scientific experimentation. Detoxification
blends and anti-inflammatory herbs can help pets achieve
natural health balances4.
Homeopathy - New formulas, such as Arthritis
from Homeopet, offer more accessible homeopathic treatments
for pets. For pet owners who decide to learn more about
the homeopathic system and arthritic treatment options,
new quidebooks and old "standards" such as Materica
Medica and Repertory are a must!
Flower Essence - Flower essences play
a part in healing in all levels by treating the mental-emotional
level thereby enabling physical healing methods to treat
disease5.
Massage - Massage increases blood circulation,
helps aches and pains, reduces blood pressure, soothes away
fears, encourages relaxation, and is a natural way to increase
the bond between you and your pet.
Acupressure - Stimulation of acupressure
points can produce pain relieving endorphins, relieve muscle
spasms, and release the body's natural cortisone.
Aromatherapy - Animals of all kinds can
benefit from the remarkable "showers of energies"
of aromatic essential oils. Formulas for rheumatism and
ostheoarthritis can be found for animals in such books as
Veterinary Aromatherapy by Nelly Grosjean.
When weighting your choices, remember
it may take a little longer for the non-drug therapies to
become most effective. But you and your pet just might feel
better creating an environment, both inside and outside
the body, that supports the natural healing inclination.
- Ben Babal, "The Arthritis
and Diet Connection," NFM's Nutrition Science
News, September 1995
- L. Phillips Brown, DVM, Proceedings
oft 1994 Am. Holistic Veterinary Medical Assn. Annual
Conference.
- L. Brown Phillips, DVM, "Fat
Pets," Healthy and Natural Journal, Vol. 2
Issue 5
- Greg L Tilford and Mary Wulff-Tilford,
Herbs for Companion Animals.
- Diane Stein, Natural Healing
for Dogs & Cats, The Crossing Press, 1993
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