| Large breed dogs like German Shepherds, | | | | a sudden tear (in severe cases) in the ligament are |
| Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Great Danes are | | | | cited as the primary causes of such condition in large |
| predisposed to certain bone and joint problems such | | | | breed dogs. |
| as hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, and cruciate | | | | Osteoarthritis |
| ligament rupture which could progress to | | | | Also known as degenerative joint disease, |
| osteoarthritis. These conditions will be discussed in | | | | osteoarthritis gradually progresses as the cartilage in |
| brief below followed by recommendations for | | | | the joint erodes. Extreme pain could signal the |
| treatment. | | | | growth of bone spurs or osteophytes, calcium |
| Hip Dysplasia | | | | deposits in tensed and stressed areas in the joints. |
| Hip dysplasia can occur at any stage in a dog's life. | | | | Wear and tear with frequent activity is more often |
| The earliest symptoms of hip dysplasia, often | | | | associated with osteoarthritis. |
| characterized by instability and awkwardness in | | | | Treatment for osteoarthritis |
| movement can be seen even in puppies. This early | | | | With mild cases of osteoarthritis, treatment often |
| onset of hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs has been | | | | involves prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and/or |
| traced to inheritance of any of the parents' | | | | steroids but since we are talking of large-breed dogs |
| characteristics which usually involve an abnormality in | | | | here, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly |
| the hip joint. Abnormalities with the hip joint (a ball | | | | referred to as NSAIDs are more effective. However, |
| and socket joint) may vary. Hip dysplasia could stem | | | | NSAIDs do not really provide an effective treatment |
| from a misfit in the ball and socket joint (either the | | | | to arthritis as they only provide temporary pain relief |
| socket is too shallow or the ball is misshapen or too | | | | but do nothing to assist in the repair of the damaged |
| small). | | | | joint. In developed or severe cases of osteoarthritis |
| Causes of hip dysplasia can differ and could involve a | | | | especially stemming from pre-arthritis conditions such |
| sudden growth spurt, over exhaustion, and obesity, | | | | as cruciate ligament rupture and hip dysplasia, surgery |
| Osteochondrosis | | | | may be required to stabilize the joints. |
| Osteochondrosis mostly affects 4-8 months old dogs. | | | | Recent USA laboratory studies in 2006 as reported |
| Although it could be an inherited disease, | | | | by "The New England Journal of Medicine", showed |
| osteochondrosis is more often linked with | | | | that glucosamine chondroitin in combination, reduced |
| underdeveloped cartilage typically in the elbow and | | | | arthritis pain in those suffering moderate to severe |
| shoulders. Problems in the normal development of | | | | joint pain more effectively than NSAIDS. These same |
| cartilage in these joints lead to unevenness in the | | | | results are shown to be as effective in pets. Synflex |
| joint surfaces which can cause misalignment and | | | | Liquid Glucosamine is a leading brand when it comes |
| other problems with joint structuring. Like hip | | | | to dietary glucosamine / chondroitin supplements for |
| dysplasia, osteochondrosis can occur due to a growth | | | | dogs. The once a day dosing of Synflex Liquid |
| spurt and over nutrition. | | | | Glucosamine depends on the size and weight of your |
| Cruciate ligament rupture | | | | dog and the severity of his/her arthritis condition. |
| Pain, swelling, instability in the knee joint, and | | | | The liquid form is superior in its ability to be absorbed |
| lameness are just some symptoms of cruciate | | | | by the body almost completely. |
| ligament rupture. This disease which leads inevitably | | | | Another plus is the liquid form is much easier to give |
| to chronic arthritis of the knee involves a rupture in | | | | to your pet than pills. You can be certain with |
| the anterior cruciate ligament in the knees. Traumatic | | | | Syn-flex for Pets, your German Shepherd will be in |
| injuries involving the degeneration (in mild cases) and | | | | top shape in no time. |