We regularly discuss the options for relieving the pain of Osteoarthritis in our pets. We are large advocates of injectable courses of treatment in conjunction with oral Glyde doses. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. It is most common from middle age onward, although it can be at any age. It causes extreme pain and stiffness, especially in the hip and knee joints causing long term lameness.
This condition is also seen in humans. On the 10/9/17, the “Herald Sun” ran an article on Andrew Walker from the Carlton Football Club. Walker had a chipped knee bone at the age of 17 requiring surgery, leaving him with severe osteoarthritis. He has since tried to achieve pain relief through multiple surgeries and even trying stem cell therapy. Nothing worked and then during 2015, Walker teamed up with Carltons doctor and a pharmacy company to test the results of Pentosan, after it was ticked off by the AFL. Pentosan is a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan which stimulates regrowth of new cartilage in the joint. Pentosan has long been used in horses with incredible results and over the last many years has been used in dogs in a lower concentration under the name Cartrophen or Zydax. In the article, Walker states that “Pentosan has completely changed my life”, his pain levels have gone from 9-10 to 2-3 and he is still running and playing football.
This is a drug that the animal world has been using long term with amazing results as proven by increased mobility in animals. We are large advocates of the positive results gained by patients and now it seems the human world is about to learn from our advances. It is good to know that we are giving that much relief to our patients, as obviously we can’t verbally track their improvement. Many athletes and those injured are now receiving the same treatment plans as our active dogs, along with similar medication.
If you would like more information to help your animal’s mobility or assist with pain relief due to osteoarthritis, please call us at Greensborough or Rosanna Veterinary Clinics. Another first in the animal world.
