Find out about conventional & alternative dog arthritis medication

Throughout the years, much of the arthritis medicine for dogs on the market has been by prescription only from your veterinarian. The most often prescribed of this type is Rimadyl, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) made especially for dogs from the Pfizer. Other examples of dog arthritis medication using the NSAID formula include: EtoGesic, Metacam, Zubrin and the newer Previcox. While the NSAID type is the most widely used, since it can treat a wide variety of canine arthritic ailments, there is a possibility of gastrointestinal and renal side effects, which may actually result in the treatment being worse than the cure.

While an NSAID may be all that's necessary in terms of dog arthritis medicine, some pooches will require an anti-inflammatory steroid to combat their arthritis. These low level steroids provide a stronger alternative to NSAID forms of dog arthritis medication and can be used for a variety of ailments, not just arthritis. As with the NSAIDs however, there are some potentially hazardous side effects, so be sure to check with your veterinarian before and during the time when you administer the medication to your animal. Common forms of steroid based arthritis medicine for dogs include: Prednisone (also available in a human form), Phenylbutazone, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone and Dexamethasone.

Are there any safe natural alternatives?

In recent years there has been a more natural remedy for your dog's arthritis. This new form comes in the form of glucosamine treatments. It is a key component in your dog's cartilage and is an amino sugar commonly found in sea creatures and shellfish. In higher doses, glucosamine can be used to stimulate the repair of the osteoarthritically damaged joints in dogs and cats. Basically, this added glucosamine complements the dog's naturally produced glucosamine. As a dog gets older, its ability to produce this needed amino sugar becomes less and less, eventually leading to deterioration and eventual hardening of cartilage. This will result in the need for dog arthritis medication in the form of supplemental glucosamine. Tests have shown that this variety of dog arthritis medicine is just as effective as the prescription treatments, without the terrible side effects.

Much like searching for a good prescription dog arthritis medication, looking for the correct glucosamine based arthritis medicine for dogs can be challenging at first. The two most important factors when researching a good product however, are the quality and form of the glucosamine. A high quality natural dog arthritis medication will have pharmaceutical quality glucosamine in a liquid form. The liquid form allows for a more immediate and complete absorption of the active ingredients into the places where the dog needs them the most. Other things to consider are the product's secondary ingredients, and whether or not they are harmful or helpful to your beloved pet.

Even though dog arthritis medication such as prescription drugs or glucosamine are highly effective ways to treat your dog's arthritis, you may opt for more of a home remedy instead of costly dog arthritis medicine. These remedies can include something as simple as putting your dog on a low fat diet with plenty of vegetables. The vegetables will contribute to joint regeneration and the weight loss from the diet will remove any extra pressure from the joints, easing the dog's pain. Bringing your dog inside the house on cold days or keeping your dog's arthritic joints warm will also help ease the pain, keeping your dog happy and healthy without the need for dog arthritis medication.