» arthritis

HOLISTIC CONCEPTS ABOUT ARTHRITIS, LAMENESS & STEM CELL THERAPY

John Simon — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:08:23 +0000

Arthritis is probably the most common of the chronic diseases that progressively steels quality life from our senior dogs. Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can effect any size dog or cat but is seen much more often in larger breed dogs. Arthritis often starts with stiffness and is first noticed when the older dog has a hard time rising in the morning. In time the owner may noticed that their dog is slower going up the stairs and may be reluctant to jump into the car.. A dog with hip displasia or hip arthritis tends to run like a rabbit using both back legs at once. As the arthritis progresses the dog may begin to hold up or favor one limb. He or she may walk with short stiff steps and the dog’s gait may show a hind end instability (swaying). At the end stages of arthritis the pet may not be able to rise without the owners help. It is a sad thing to see otherwise healthy animals euthanized because their caregiver is undable to lift them up in order to get them outside when they need to eliminate.

It is my opinion much of the arthritis our dogs experience could be eliminated by changing their diets from a grain based food to a more meat based recipe. Just because the first ingredient on the ingredient list is meat does not make the diet meat based. The only way to distinguish if a food is meat based is to asked the company’s nutritionist (not customer support person) “what percent of their food is meat when measured on a dry matter basis ?” Judged on this basis, most pet foods are no more than 20% meat. Grain based diets are hard for carnivores to digest and the poorly digested large grain protein molecules act as allergens which damage the intestinal lining and result in a “leaky gut syndrome”. This leaky gut allows grain protein molecules to get into the blood stream where they can migrate to the pet’s joints and set up an inflammatory reaction. Feeding a meat based diet helps to prevent the above sequence of events. Supplementing the diet with digestive enzymes, fish oil, and antioxidants will help reduce the likelihood of arthritis.

If your dog has already developed arthritis there are a number of ways to help slow the progression and reduce the discomfort from the disease. Injections of “chondroprotective” substances which increase joint fluid production and encourage cartilage repair can be very effective arthritis remedies. Personally I am not a big proponent of using non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to reduce inflammation and pain because their long term use may result in gastro intestinal, liver, and kidney disease. It has also been shown that long term use of NSAIDs in humans actually results in cartilage degeneration. Providing glucosamine, chondroitin , MSM, Gerizyme, Adequin, Legend, Zeel , systemic enzymes, hyaluronic acid, Comfort Zone and antioxidants in place of NSAIDs can help restore joint integrity and, in my opinion, is a much preferred approach.

Other ways to treat advanced arthritis include physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, “infra-sonic therapy”, “pulsed magnetic therapy”, prolotherapy, gold bead implants, cold laser therapy, Electro Crystal Rebalancing and massage therapy. Teaching pet owners how to massage their pet and provide passive range of motion can be very helpful in extending and enhancing their pets quality of life.

Finally, I want let my readers know about a very exciting advance in arthritis therapy. Adult stem cell technology is now available to help treat advanced arthritis. The stem cells are harvested from the patients own fat. These stem cells can be injected intravenously or directly into joints. These injected primitive cells will develop into connective tissue and cartilaginous cells which will help to rejuvenate the damaged joint. This technology is has already been used successfully in hundreds of dogs and horses and although still on the expensive side is now available to the family pet. Presently I am one of the few veterinarians certified to provide such therapy.

Detecting the early signs of arthritis and instituting early treatment can make a huge difference in the success of therapy. Providing a high quality meat based diet, with omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants along with weight management can help prevent the onset of arthritis and help extend both the quality and quantity of the pet’s life.

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Woodside Animal Clinic sees pets from all over the greater Detroit Michigan area including Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Warren, Centerline, Clawson, Troy, Sterling Heights, Southfield, Birmingham, Bingham Farms, Franklin, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi, Wixom, Brighton, Livonia, Plymouth, Commerce, Ann Arbor, Ortonville, Waterford, Union Lake, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Utica, Romeo, Windsor, White lake and Toledo

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Physical Rehabilitation for Pets

John Simon — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:59:42 +0000

Physical therapy is something that people who are injured or who have undergone surgery expect to go through as part of their recuperation. Unfortunately it has only been within the last 8 years that physical therapy has been readily available for injured animals. Orthopedic injuries, neurological problems, trauma, and arthritis are all maladies that can benefit from physical therapy.

There are number of therapies that can be utilized to help rehabilitate injured or painful pets. Among them are acupuncture, chiropractic, nutritional and herbal support, intravenous and transcutaneous lasers therapy , pulsed magnetic therapy, infrasonic and ultrasonic therapy, microcurrent stimulation, underwater treadmill, hydrotherapy, prolotherapy, range of motion and therapeutic exercise, massage therapy, balance and proprioception equipment. Other supportive measures we use are systemic enzyme therapy, antioxidant therapy, DMSO, homeopathy, and herbal therapy

The following conditions are just a few we have successfully treated with rehabilitation therapy: Wobblers and intervertebral disk disease, arthritis, cruciate ligament tears, post surgical cruciate ligament repairs, lumbo-sacral stenosis, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and any soft tissue injury involving post surgical wounds, damaged tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

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Woodside Animal Clinic is a unique, very personal, one doctor practice where, for over 35 years, Dr. Simon has been healing dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and reptiles with both conventional and alternative medicine. Dr. Simon is the author of 4 pet care books and he writes a monthly pet care column in the Mirror newspaper. He is a past president of the Oakland County Veterinary Medical Association and has served on the board of both the South Eastern Veterinary Medical Association and the American HolisticVeterinary Medical Association.

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Non Surgical Laser Therapy for Animals

John Simon — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:22:21 +0000

The future is here and medicine is now able to heal tissue with light frequencies, sound frequencies and pulsed magnetic waves. The most futuristic of all healing modalities is the use of low energy laser beams to heal tissue, reduce pain, and provide the patient additional energy. The term laser is an acronym that stands for “Light Amplification thru Stimulated Emission of Radiation. There are both high power and low power lasers. The high powered “hot” lasers are cutting lasers and are used in surgery, industry, or by the defense department. The low power or cold lasers are used in supermarket barcode readers, compact disc players, lecture pointers, laser light shows and medicine. The therapeutic uses for low energy lasers in medicine includes the promotion of tissue healing and the reduction of pain and swelling. Lasers are being used by medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists, chiropractors and physical therapists. Holistic equine veterinarians have used lasers to perform acupuncture and treat joints for over 20 years. The first therapeutic lasers produced were either infrared or red radiation. More recently green and blue lasers have come in use. Each colored laser has advantages and disadvantages over the others. Regardless of color these low energy lasers produce no heat and there are very safe to use with the exception of the danger they may pose to the eyes if the patient or physician stares directly into the beam.

It was in 1973 that Friedrich Plog in Canada discovered that lasers could be used in place of needles to stimulate acupuncture points. Later that decade Dr. Endre Mester a professor in Butapest performed a number of animal studies and subsequent human trials where he used laser irradiation to heal patients suffering from chronic unhealed wounds that were unresponsive to other treatments. These patients provided the first direct evidence of the photobiostimulative potential of low energy laser therapy in humans.

Based on the reported successes of Plog and Mester a range of research projects were intiated, principally in eastern Europe, China and the Soviet Union. The positive findings of this research has resulted in laser therapy becoming a popular modality in those countries and is reflected in the large number or researched papers which originated from these countries. However for some reason the acceptance of low level laser therapy in the USA has been much slower to catch on and many new innovative lasers licensed in Europe have not been licensed by the FDA.

Within the medical profession the use of low level laser therapy is most enthusiastically used by physiotherapist. In a survey of physical therapists they rated low level laser therapy more effective than any other form of electrotherapeutic modalities including, ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic therapy when it came to wound healing, pain relief and the reduction of tissue swelling (edema) . I have used red and infrared lasers to treat dogs and cats for arthritis, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disk disease, spinal arthritis (spondylosis) and torn cruciate ligaments. I have also used lasers to rehabilitate seriously ill animals.

Low level laser therapy may be applied directly to the skin or applied from 1 to 3 inches above the skin. This form of laser application is referred to as “transcutaneous” (through the skin). When applied to the skin red lasers penetrate only to a depth of whereas infra red lasers can penetrate to a depth of 8 cm. and can actually have an effect on internal organs. When applied to vascular areas of the skin, lasers can be used to irradiate circulating red blood cells and produce a systemic effect. . Lasers can also irradiate blood through intravenous application. Regardless of which method is used the effects of laser blood irradiation are as follows:

1. an improved immune system function with increased numbers of white cells(lymphocytes and phagocytic neutrophils which engulf bacteria)

2. a reduction in blood clotting time making strokes less likely

3. an increase in microcirculation and tissue oxygenation

4. an increase in cellular energy production (ATP) through stimulation of the mitochondria

5. a relief of pain and swelling

6. provides antispasmotic, anti inflammatory effects

7. improves liver and kidney function

8. Stimulates microcirculation in the central nervous system- specifically the hypothalamus and limbic systems leading to stimulation of hormonal, metabolic, immunologic, and autonomic nervous system function

9. stimulates the the antioxidant enzyme system

10 improves the red blood cell regeneration (erythrogenesis)

Specific Applications

1. Intervertebral disk disease (slipped disk in back)

2. Degenerative joint disease

3. Cruciate ligament tears

4. Soft tissue injuries: muscle, tendon, and ligament strains and sprains

5. Acute and chronic ear disease

6. Sinusitis and rhinits

7. Pre and post surgical care

8. Wound care

9. Re energizing sick and debilitated animals

10. Rehabilitation and physical therapy

11. Immune system support

12. Autoimmune disease

13. Acute and chronic pain relief

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Woodside Animal Clinic is a unique, very personal, one doctor practice where, for over 35 years, Dr. Simon has been healing dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and reptiles with both conventional and alternative medicine. Dr. Simon is the author of 4 pet care books and he writes a bi monthly pet care column for the Natural Awakening Magazine. He is a past president of the Oakland County Veterinary Medical Association and has served on the executive board of both the Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Woodside Animal Clinic sees pets from all over the greater Detroit area including Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Warren, Centerline, Clawson, Troy, Sterling Heights, Southfield, Birmingham, Bingham Farms, Franklin, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi, Wixom, Brighton, Livonia, Plymouth, Commerce, Ann Arbor, Ortonville, Waterford, Union Lake, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Utica, Romeo, Windsor, and Toledo.

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Arthritis in Dogs — What a Pain!

John Simon — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:26:43 +0000

It is estimated that 25-30% of all dogs will suffer the agonizing and crippling pain of arthritis during their lifetime. Large dogs are the most susceptible to arthritis but dogs of any breed, age or size can be victims of this disease. Early signs of arthritis may be first noticed when your dog starts to get up slower from a lying position, however, arthritis may eventually become devastating with your dog becomes unable to rise.

As arthritis progresses there is a steady degeneration of the dog’s joint cartilage. This cartilage is a cushion in the dog’s elbow, knee, ankle, shoulder, or hip. Cartilage gives the dog the mobility to run and play. As this cartilage begins to be rubbed thin, the bones will begin to grind against each other, causing excruciating pain.

Dogs in the earlier stages of arthritis may have mild pain and lose as much as 20% of their joints range of motion. Consequently, they appear stiff when they get up and walk. As their arthritis progresses, as much as 50% of their joint’s range of motion may be lost. Because they are often in severe pain they will be reluctant to move and the less they move the more weight they gain. This added weight puts additional stress on their joints. Lack of movement and reduced exercise results in weaken musculature. Pain, added weight and weakened muscles are all part of a vicious cycle that leads to less and less movement until the pet can no longer get up and must be carried out to go to the bathroom. If the pet is large and can not be easily carried, euthanasia can sadly become the only alternative.

In addition to making walking difficult, severe arthritis often results in personality and behavioral changes. A dog’s pain may cause them to withdraw from the family and seek secluded places. Because rising may be very painful arthritic pets may soil the rug where they lie rather than ask to go out. Because squatting is painful arthritic pets often become constipated. Dogs and cats in pain can become aggressive and ornery and start to bite. Dogs that were once friendly will not want to be touched by anyone including trusted family members.

So what’s the solution? Conventional medicine attempts to solve the problem with laboratory manufactured corticosteroids or non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Both these products are usually effective in reducing inflammation and pain but ultimately result in further joint deterioration and can damage other organs such as the stomach, liver, and kidney.

On the other hand the alternative medical approach is to use nutritional joint support substances, weight loss, medicinal herbs, anti- oxidants, mega vitamin and mineral therapy, omega 3 fatty acids, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and acupuncture to reduce pain and inflammation and to support joint health rather than simply removing the symptoms. A special injection combining nutritionals Adequin and Legend has worked remarkably well at rehabilitating a joints. This approach is much gentler on the body and rarely results in any serious side effects.

Of course it is not necessary to wait until your dog is lame before you take steps to help your pet. Being proactive makes much more sense. Feeding your healthy dog or cat a high quality, free range, meat based diet and supplementing with raw vegetables, digestive enzymes, and omega 3 fatty acids will go along toward preventing the onset of arthritis. A special combination injection of Adequin and Legend we

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Arthritis Therapies for Dogs and Cats

John Simon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:15:40 +0000

Arthritic pain and lameness is probably the most common of the slow, chronic, diseases that progressively steel quality life from our senior dogs. Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can effect any size dog but is seen much more often in larger breeds. Arthritis often starts with stiffness and is first noticed when the older dog has a hard time rising in the morning. In time the owner may noticed that their dog is slower going up the stairs and may be reluctant to jump into the car. A dog with hip displasia or hip arthritis tends to run like a rabbit using both back legs at once.

As the arthritis progresses the dog may begin to hold up or favor one limb. He or she may walk with short stiff steps and the dog’s gait may show a hind end instability. At the end stages of arthritis the pet may not be able to rise without the owners help. It is very sad when an otherwise healthy animal is euthanized because their owner is unable to lift them up to get them outside when they need to eliminate.

It is my opinion that much of the arthritis our dogs experience could be eliminated by changing their diets from a grain based food to a more meat based recipe. Just because the first ingredient on the ingredient list is meat does not make the diet “meat based”. The only way to distinguish if a food is meat based is to asked the company’s nutritionist (not customer support person) “what percent of their food is meat when measured on a dry matter basis ?” Judged on this basis, most pet foods are no more than 20% meat. Grain based diets are hard for carnivores to digest and, consequently, the poorly digested large grain protein molecules act as allergens which damage the intestinal lining and result in a “leaky gut syndrome”. This leaky gut allows grain protein molecules to get into the blood stream where they can migrate to the pet’s joints and set up an inflammatory reaction. Feeding a meat based diet helps to prevent the above sequence of events. Finally, keeping your pet on the slender side in old age and better yet all his or her life will definitely reduce the risk of arthritis developing, Supplementing the diet with digestive enzymes, fish oil, antioxidants, and herbal anti inflammatories will help reduce the likelihood of arthritis.

If your dog has already developed arthritis there are a number of ways to help slow the progression and reduce the discomfort from the disease. Injections of “chondroprotective” substances which increase joint fluid and encourage cartilage repair can be very effective. Personally I am not a big proponent of using non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to reduce inflammation and pain because their long term use may result in gastro intestinal, liver, and kidney disease. It has also been shown that long term use of NSAIDs in humans actually results in cartilage degeneration. Providing glucosamine, chondroitin , MSM, Adequin and antioxidants in place of NSAIDs can help restore joint integrity and, in my opinion, is a much preferred approach.

Other ways to treat advanced arthritis include acupuncture, chiropractic, “infra sonic therapy”, “pulsed magnetic therapy”, prolotherapy, low level laser therapy, physical therapy and massage therapy. Teaching pet owners how to massage their pet and provide passive range of motion can be very helpful in extending and enhancing their pets quality of life.

The only problem with stem cell therapy ithat it is relatively expensive and requires the pet be anethetized for the harvesting of the adult stem cells from body fat. Prolotherapy is a less expensive option and one sense could be seen as the “poor man stem cell therapy” because it also stimulates the body produce more supportive connective tissue around the unstable joint.

Detecting the early signs of arthritis and instituting early treatment can make a huge difference in the success of therapy. Providing a high quality meat based diet, with omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants can help prevent the onset of arthritis and help extend both the quality and quantity of the pet’s life.

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Alternative Therapies for Dogs and Cats with Arthritis

John Simon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:05:39 +0000

Dear Dr. Simon,

I have a 12 year old Labrador Retriever named Joe who has had arthritis in his hind legs for the past 3 years. My veterinarian has put Joe on cortisone tablets which have helped allot but have also made him eat and drink too much. Do you know of any alternative approaches to treating arthritis ?

Dear Reader,

I am glad you asked this question. Far too many old arthritic dogs have been put on long term cortisone therapy. Although cortisone is very effective in treating arthritis it can produce many detrimental side effects. One serious problem accompanying cortisone therapy is that it stimulates the animal’s appetite and thirst and consequently he or she gains weight, which puts additional stress on the already painful hind legs and back.

If Joe is at all overweight he should be put on a high fiber low fat diet until he reaches a weight that you might consider “slightly thin”. You should also make sure that his nails are not overgrown and hurting his feet.

One of the most common alternatives to cortisone therapy is to use drugs like aspirin. These “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory” drugs frequently work well in treating the symptoms of arthritis but are not really getting at the cause of the problem. Non-steroidals also tend to irritate the lining of the digestive tract and can result in ulcers.

Fortunately, there are a number of other approaches to the treatment of arthritis. The use of anti-oxidant enzymes, vitamins, and minerals along with medications that encourage the regeneration of joint cartilage and increase the production of joint fluid is a very effective and safe way to begin anti-arthritic therapy.

Frequently arthritis is the result of stretched ligaments, which produce joint instability. Injections into these ligaments know as “prolotherapy” along with supportive oral medication can encourage the ligaments to thicken and reduce abnormal movement.

Other alternative approaches to treating arthritis are acupuncture and magnetic field therapy both of which are considered mainstream medicine in Japan. Western and Eastern herbal therapy, chiropractic, and homeopathy have also been found to be extremely helpful in treating arthritis in pets and humans. Very recently stem cell therapy has become available for helping horses and dogs with arthritis.

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