Arthrosis and medications

Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis in dogs (drugs and medications)

A joint disease characterized by a chronic, non-inflammatory, non-exudative form is called arthrosis.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon often happens in dogs.

The essence of the disease is degenerative-dystrophic lesions in the joints, usually in the hip, knee, elbow and shoulder blades.

One of the causes of the disease is the dog's overweight.

Due to the slow development of the disease and the long absence of symptoms, one specific cause has not yet been established. One thing is certain - this is an “age-related” disease and is diagnosed mainly in adult dogs. There are several possible factors of occurrence:

Provoking factors

A varied diet can be a provoking factor.

• With age, most metabolic processes slow down and it is quite clear that against this background, changes also occur in the bones. Another, no less important factor is improper care of the pet.
• It often happens that owners, in an attempt to provide the best for their pet, stuff the dog with all the nutritional supplements available to them . This behavior is fundamentally wrong, since the vitamin-mineral complex must be balanced in such a way that the drugs used do not come into confrontation with each other. Another mistake in keeping is considered to be a monotonous diet, food from the master's table, expired products or low-quality food from dubious brands.
• Some animals have a congenital skeletal abnormality , which prevents bones from growing properly and further contributes to the development of arthrosis. In this case, the disease develops in young animals. In addition, any injury or bruise that was missed and not treated at one time can provoke the development of pathology.
• Another provoking factor may be a large breed of animal . Large dogs often experience increased development and growth as they grow up. The bones simply do not have time to rebuild in time, and a defect occurs. Even if this fact did not happen during adolescence, the large body weight of an adult is a risk factor for the development of arthrosis.
• It is unacceptable to deprive the animal of normal exercise or keep it constantly on a chain or in an enclosure. A healthy animal needs constant moderate exercise to form joint fluid and prevent obesity. Excess weight is most likely to serve as an impetus for the onset of the disease, even in a healthy dog ​​that is not genetically predisposed to it.

Symptoms of arthrosis and its localization

Signs of the disease appear according to its location . Since the pathology develops slowly, the owner often notices pronounced symptoms only when practically nothing can be changed. The initial stage of the disease passes without visible changes.

With arthrosis in the knee joints, the dog begins to limp.

1. Localization of the disease in the knee joints is expressed by noticeable lameness. The pet cannot jump, gets tired quickly, and when walking it seems to “fall” on its paws. Doesn't respond to the owner's call to run. It is noticeable that the animal is in pain.
2. Pathology in the shoulder joint manifests itself both when the dog is walking and standing. Steps become much shorter. When standing, the dog often shifts its weight from one limb to the other, as if experiencing uncertainty. There is a delay when trying to get up from lying down.
3. The localization of pathology in the area of ​​the hind limbs and hip joints is more pronounced after the pet gets up from a lying position. He gets up very slowly, carefully, walks for some time on half-bent legs, steps are small and careful, tries to shift his weight to his front legs. In the progressive case, the hind legs are pulled along for some time, then the gait evens out.

Due to constant pain, the dog refuses active games, avoids sudden movements, and does not show interest in other animals. Due to decreased activity, muscle atrophy occurs, and the pet completely loses the ability to move.

Treatment of arthrosis in dogs

Elderly individuals cannot be completely cured. Maintenance therapy is used for them, but it is possible to ensure a comfortable existence for the dog.

The first thing to do is arrange a comfortable resting place. The animal must be able to stretch out or roll over.

The dog should have a comfortable place to rest.

Walks must be planned so that the dog is comfortable. Pets with arthrosis depend on meteorological conditions and experience aching pain in damp weather or cold. Therefore, exercise should be carried out based on the dog’s well-being.

A complete diet is provided. It is recommended to avoid prepared foods and feed the patient natural food with the addition of nutritional vitamin-mineral complex preparations.

It is recommended to feed the dog natural products.

A massage of the limbs and joints using alcohol compresses is prescribed. This will ensure normal blood flow and relieve pain.

Massage relieves pain in dogs.

Medicines and drugs

The drug Voltaren has an analgesic effect.

4. Drug therapy consists of prescribing painkillers, tranquilizers, blockades - voltaren, drugs of the ketalong group, novocaine .
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs - brufen, quadrisol-5 .
6. Gamavit as an immunostimulant.
7. Substances that help stimulate the restoration of cartilage and bones. Vitamin and mineral supplements - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fatty amino acids, vitamins A, B, D.
8. Injections into joints are indicated to stimulate fluid production.

Surgery

Surgery is contraindicated for older dogs.

Deep lesions require surgical intervention followed by a long recovery period, however, this measure is not advisable for older animals.

Elderly individuals may not survive anesthesia due to significantly lost immunity and imbalance of metabolic processes. Owners should simply provide care, coziness and comfort for the dog.

Regarding the prevention of the disease, in order to prevent its occurrence, you should regularly undergo preventive medical examinations with a full clinical examination, starting from the very birth of the puppy. Arthrosis can be completely eliminated only if the initial stage is noticed in a timely manner.

Regular medical examination is a preventive measure.

What medicine to choose for arthrosis?

Arthrosis is a serious illness that affects many people, especially the elderly. But young people can get sick too. It is more correct to say deforming osteoarthritis, but in everyday life the terms arthritis and arthrosis are more often used. This disease leads to pain in the joints, changes in their shape, dysfunction, and destruction of cartilage tissue. Continuously progressing, it can lead to disability.

Effective treatment of pathology, what is it?

Therefore, treatment of arthrosis should begin immediately after the diagnosis is made. To begin with, drug therapy is used. Nowadays, drugs for arthrosis are presented in a large assortment. Typically, a rheumatologist will prescribe a treatment regimen that is appropriate for you. Many people hope that there is a magic cure for arthrosis that will cure this disease forever. But, unfortunately, the disease is chronic and it is almost impossible to achieve complete restoration of the joint. It should be remembered that to achieve the best effect, treatment must be carried out for a long time and not take long breaks. All remedies for arthrosis are aimed at slowing down the destruction of bone joints, reducing pain, and minimally restoring cartilage. It is better not to self-medicate, as this can lead to a worsening of the condition. If the doctor has diagnosed you with arthrosis, then it is better not to delay treatment, there are a wide variety of drugs, pharmacology offers all new drugs. Let's figure out what remedies modern medicine offers us.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

These medications are used quite widely for joint arthrosis. Their advantage is that they are accessible and inexpensive. They have a number of positive properties:

9. They reduce inflammation in the joint by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins.
10. They reduce pain by suppressing inflammatory mediators that cause pain.
11. Reduce the damaging effects of substances that are produced during inflammation.

These drugs are presented in various forms: these can be tablets or ointments for joint arthrosis, gels, creams, solutions for injection into a vein or muscle, into the joint cavity.

But we must remember that these drugs have a number of side effects:

12. Long-term use causes disorders of the gastrointestinal system. There is discomfort and pain in the projection of the stomach, nausea, and sometimes loose stools. Erosions, ulcers, and even bleeding may occur. Tablets and capsules for arthritis and arthrosis should be taken together with gastroprotectors, for example, omeprazole.
13. NSAIDs reduce the speed of blood flow, which may result in acute renal or heart failure.
14. Many representatives of this group affect blood clotting and reduce it. Bleeding, strokes or heart attacks may develop. Therefore, when taking these medications, you need to carefully monitor the doses.
15. Sometimes side effects from the nervous system appear: headache of varying severity, periodic drowsiness, dizziness, decreased performance.
16. And, of course, NSAIDs can cause allergic reactions.

They are prohibited during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, in the presence of stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, mental disorders and epilepsy.

17. Indomethacin has proven itself well, take 1 tablet (0.025 g) with meals three times a day.
18. Voltaren. 0.075-0.1 g/day in three doses, it is also presented in the form of a cream.
19. Piroxicam 0.01 g morning and evening.
20. Acetylsalicylic acid is sometimes used, 2 tablets 4 times a day, each tablet 0.5 g. Its use is limited, the frequency of complications from the gastrointestinal tract is very high, and it greatly affects the blood coagulation system.

Anti-inflammatory drugs in local or systemic form for arthrosis still relieve the symptoms of the disease to a greater extent; they do not eliminate the causes. Therefore, they should be taken only in combination with other medications.

Arthrosis is a chronic disease and treatment includes not only painkillers. Chondroprotectors are widely used, many of which are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. But there are also forms of gels, tablets, capsules, creams.

Chondroprotectors are drugs that not only relieve the symptoms of damage to cartilage tissue, but also promote its restoration. Basically, these drugs contain natural components of cartilage, due to which it regenerates. They can also improve nutrition in the joint. But to achieve a noticeable effect, they must be taken for a long time.

These drugs are well tolerated and have almost no contraindications; they are prohibited only in case of individual intolerance and phenylketonuria. There are also virtually no side effects.

1. Teraflex. Contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine - two active components of cartilage. Available in capsule form, drink them 2-3 times a day.
2. Arteparon. The product consists of sulfated mucoplisaccharides. The drug can be administered into the joint cavity, intramuscularly or orally. Available in solution form.
3. Don. The drug consists only of glucosamine. Available in several forms. Can be taken orally and also intramuscularly. It is better to combine different forms during the treatment period.
4. Structum. Available in capsule form. Consists of chondroitin sulfate. This is a medicine for arthrosis, which also contains only one component of cartilage.
5. Alflutop. Also a drug based on many components of cartilage of natural origin. The instructions indicate that it consists of an active concentrate of small sea fish. It is a solution for injection.

Artificial synovial fluid

Synovial fluid is a substance that is found in the joint cavity. It lubricates the articular surfaces of the bones, reducing their friction against each other. Injected into the joint cavity, patients immediately notice a decrease in pain and an increase in mobility in the joint. This drug is based on polyvinylpyrrolidone, its 15% aqueous solution. It can be mixed with arteparone or hyaluronic acid. This is a medicine for the initial stages of arthritis and arthrosis, which immediately leads to relief. It is administered periodically, as over time the joint fluid disappears and pain and friction reappear. There are practically no side effects from the administration of this drug.

Proteolytic enzyme inhibitors

These are drugs that inhibit enzymes that destroy cartilage. They are used for severe pain that cannot be relieved by NSAIDs. These drugs are used for arthrosis of the joints of any degree, but more often II-III. Inserted into the joint.

• Contrical 25,000 units every 2-3 days. Only 3-5 injections.
• Gordox is administered according to the same scheme as contrical.

These substances are not used in the first trimester of pregnancy, or in people with increased sensitivity to atropine.

But these medications have quite a lot of side effects. Among them are renal and liver failure, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, pulmonary edema, bronchospasm, dizziness, atrial fibrillation. Therefore, treatment of arthrosis using these drugs should be carried out under strict supervision and only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Metabolic therapy

Medicines in this group improve metabolism in cartilage tissue. Their separate use does not cause significant changes, but complex treatment of arthrosis with their use has positive results.

• Potassium orotate. Improves the formation of protein molecules and has an anabolic effect. The tablets are taken three times a day for a month.
• Phosphaden. The substance significantly improves microcirculation in tissues and improves their nutrition and metabolism. The solution is taken orally for 2-4 weeks.

These drugs will also improve the general condition of the body; the indication for their use is not only the treatment of arthrosis.

Drugs to improve blood circulation in joints

6. Chimes. 1 tablet 3 times a day for 1-2 months.
7. Trentala. Take a month, 0.1 g 3 times a day.

Arthritis and arthrosis involve treatment that uses drugs from various groups. The combination of different drugs is the key to success.

Tablets for arthrosis, as well as ointments, creams, and solutions will be offered to you at any pharmacy, most of them are sold without a doctor’s prescription. In addition, physiotherapeutic treatment methods have been developed that can be very effective; there are sanatoriums and resorts that specialize in this. In the absence of a positive effect from conservative therapy, surgical operations are used. Many surgical techniques are used for deforming osteoarthritis.

Categories : Legs