October 15, 2008

CSU to Study Herbal Remedies for Arthritis in Dogs

The Denver Post reports on a Colorado State University study planned on herbal remedies for arthritis in dogs -- such as Zyflamend, I suppose, although no brands are named.

CSU's vet school is seeking volunteer dogs.

Jack, our 13-year-old Chessie, is showing some arthritis in his hips. He also may have a bladder tumor. We went through a whole series of vet visits, urinalyses, etc., last spring because he was occasionally passing blood and showing a high bacteria count in his urine..

Two courses of antibiotics and about $400 later, that was the diagnosis: maybe a tumor. His urine showed some "transitional cells" and a possible "mass" was seen in the ultrasound examination of his bladder, which I witnessed.

The vet wanted to try Previcox, a non-steroidal anti-inflmmatory drug, because it apparently has slowed tumor growth also.

M. quickly Googled it and saw all the "Previcox killed my dog" stuff. So she put him on Zyflamend, which might maybe possibly has some anti-tumor properties.

As with all herbal remedies, you hear some exaggerated claims about it. On the other hand, you don't hear about liver and kidney damage.

The bottom line for me is that Jack is a 13-year-old big dog. He still gets around pretty well if he is allowed to have extra rest between trips afield. And he is still enjoying life, although I am assuming that this may well be his last hunting season.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having lived with a lot of large and giant dogs - and having hundreds of clients with them - I think it's important to note that if you try a supplement and don't see an improvement... try another. Hyaluronic acid was hugely beneficial to one of my dogs and a combination of glucosamine and MSM is putting the pep back into the step of my BFF's 11 year old Dane.

Supplements are not a "one size fits all" type of remedy.

Chas S. Clifton said...

My two large (65 lbs., 95 lbs.) dogs get all those in their "joint health" pills too. I think to think that they are helping.