Joint Supplements
– Does my dog need one?
Joint Supple
The answer to this may be simple if for example you have an elderly dog
with arthritis, then yes a joint supplement will definitely be of benefit.
What about the rest of us with healthy fit animals? The answer is in
most cases feeding a joint supplement is probably not necessary, but
there are situations where feeding a joint supplement can be
considered a wise investment. Working dogs who are more active and
answer to this may be simple if for example you hav
put their joints under more strain The
than
normal would be an example
yes a joint supplement will definitely be of benefit. Wha
where feeding a joint supplement may
be of benefit.
animals? The answer is in most cases feeding a joint sup
Does my dog ne
Healthy synovial joints allow two bone ends to slide
smoothly over each other, courtesy of a concussion
absorbing and slippery articular cartilage surface plus a
supporting structure.
there
are situations where feeding a joint supplement ca
Synovial fluid acts as a shock absorber in the joints. This
Working
dogs as
who
active
and put their joints u
fluid gets thinner
the are
dog more
gets older.
Glucosamine
supplementation
helps
thicken
joint
fluid
–
thus
improving
be an example where feeding a joint supplement
may be
the comfort zone in and around the joint.
This structure includes a fibrous joint capsule lined by the
synovial membrane and filled with a lubricating and
shockabsorbing fluid known as synovial fluid.
Healthy
smooth
absorbin
support
Periosteum
Ligament
Ligaments are another important element of the supporting
structure, linking bone to bone in a way that, when the
limbs move in perfect alignment, minimises the possibility
of wear and tear on inappropriate, and insufficiently
protected, areas of cartilage.
This str
synovia
absorbin
Joint cavity (contains
synovial fluid)
Articular (hyaline) cartilage
Outside the joint capsule, ligaments and tendons, the
latter linking muscle to bone, also help to support joint
structures.
Fibrous capsule
Synovial membrane
Articular
capsule
How are joints damaged?
When a joint is subject to trauma from repeated and/or
excessive use, a range of resulting conditions are defined
under the umbrella term of ‘traumatic arthritis’. An initial
synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane) can
lead to damaging changes in the cartilage itself. Pain,
swelling and reduced mobility are common symptoms.
Diagram 1 Illustrating a typical
synovial joint
Outside
latter li
structur
How
When a
excessiv
under t
synoviti
to dam
and red
The term DJD (degenerative joint disease) is used to
describe ongoing deterioration or the end result of initial
trauma.
The term
ongoing
Damaged cartilage is less efficient at producing the
substances that help to maintain joint elasticity and shock
absorption properties.
Damage
substan
absorpt
Many factors are involved, correct nutrition and sufficient
but not excessive exercise is important.
Developed in consultation
with veterinary surgeons
at
Middle Park
Ligamen
structur
move in
wear an
areas of
Many fa
but not
For free nutritional advice:
Tel 01845 565030
Email:[email protected]
www.vetspec.co.uk
Working dogs may benefit from a high specification
joint supplement
Katy Tyler BSc (Hons)
for dogs
PetSpec
Synovia
fluid ge
supplem
the com
www.petspe
Supplementation
Glucosamine is a component of Glycosaminoglycans
(GAG’s), which are essential constituents of cartilage and
synovial fluid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a well known GAG
that plays an important role in maintaining the viscosity of
joint fluid. This thick fluid acts as a lubricant for joint
surfaces and together with cartilage provides most of
the shock absorption to minimise the concussive forces
travelling up the limbs. Glucosamine is also an important
precursor of Chondroitin, a constituent of cartilage. Ample
glucosamine is produced in healthy joints but damaged
joints produce less.
MSM is a bio-available source of sulphur and helps
maintain optimum function in connective tissues such
as tendons, ligaments and muscles. It promotes fluid
dispersion at injury sites via its role in the permeability of
cell walls. Sulphur is needed for the production of collagen,
which is an important component of cartilage. It is common
for insufficient healthy cartilage to be made when joint
function is compromised.
Vitamin E and C combat excess free radicals around the
joint and boost the immune system.
Conclusion
Joint supplements may play an important role in improving
performance in working and agility dogs. They may also
improve the quality of life of our elderly companions.
Owners and breeders of valuable show dogs and working dogs o
nutritional support especially
Supplementation
Glucosamine is a component of Glycosaminoglycans
(GAG’s), which are essential constituents of cartilage and
synovial fluid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a well known GAG
that plays an important role in maintaining the viscosity of
joint fluid. This thick fluid acts as a lubricant for joint surfaces
and together with cartilage provides most of the shock
absorption to minimise the concussive forces travelling up
the limbs. Glucosamine is also an important precursor of
Chondroitin, a constituent of cartilage. Ample glucosamine
is produced in healthy joints but damaged joints produce
less.
MSM is a bio-available source of sulphur and helps maintain
optim
ligam
sites
need
com
carti
Vitam
joint
Co
Joint
perfo
impr
Owners and breeders of valuable show dogs and working dogs
often feed
jointbreeders
supplements to provide maximum
Owners
and
dogs and
PetSpec
professionalof valuable show PetSpec
professional
nutritional support especially
duringdogs
growth.
working
often feed joint supplements to provide
Joint Mobility
Supplementation
Glucosamine is a component of Glycosaminoglycans
VetSpec
VetSpec
(GAG’s), which are essential constituents of cartilage and
synovial
fluid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is aActive
well known GAG
Joint
Mobility
Working Dog
maximum
nutritional
supporttissues
especially
growth.
optimum
function
in connective
such during
as tendons,
ligaments and muscles. It promotes fluid dispersion at injury
sites via its role in the permeability of cell walls. Sulphur is
needed for the production of collagen, which is an important
component of cartilage. It is common for insufficient healthy
cartilage to be made when joint function is compromised.
VetSpec
Senior
that plays an important role in maintaining the viscosity of
joint fluid. This thick fluid acts as a lubricant for joint surfaces
E and C combat excess freePer
radicals
around
the
Perwith
daycartilage
will provide
Per dayVitamin
will provide
day will
provide
and together
provides most of the shock
joint
and
boost
the
immune
system.
a 30kg
dogthe concussive forces travelling up
a 30kg dog
a 30kg dog
absorption to
minimise
e.g. a Retriever:
e.g. a Retriever:
e.g. a Retriever:
the limbs. Glucosamine
is also an important precursor of
750mg ofof cartilage. Ample glucosamine• 375mg of
• 750mg
Chondroitin, a •constituent
is produced in healthy
joints but damaged joints produce Glucosamine
Glucosamine
of Glucosamine
Joint supplements
may
play anaimportant
Per day will
provide
30kg dogrole in improving
Per day will provide a 3
less.
• 375mg MSM
• 187mg
MSM
• 375mg
MSM
performance
in working and agility dogs.
They may
also
Conclusion
e.g. a Retriever:
e.g. a Retriever:
• 94mgsource
Chondroitin
Chondroitin
94mg Chondroitin
improve
the quality of life of our elderly• companions.
MSM is a bio-available
of sulphur and helps maintain• 47mg
• 750mg of Glucosamine
• 375mg of Glucosamine
• Anti-oxidants
PetSpec professional
Joint Mobility
• Anti-oxidants
• Anti-oxidants
• 375mg MSM
• 187mg MSM
PetSpec professional
PetSpec
professional
94mg
Chondroitin
•
• 47mg Chondroitin
Working Dog
• Antioxidants Senior Dog
• Antioxidants
A 500g tub will last a 30kg dog (e.g. a r
Available in a 500g tub, 12 weeks supply for a 20kg dog
or 200g tub, 4 weeks supply for a 20kg dog
Katy Tyler BSc (Hons)
Multiple Award Winner for ‘Excellence in
Nutritional Advice and Customer Service’
Per day will provide a 30kg dog
Per day will provide a 30kg dog
PetSpec
for dogs
Per day will provide a 30kg dog
www.pets