The Spiral of Pain – Osteoarthritis in Dogs

According to recent studies, over 65% of adult dogs suffer from a milder or more severe form of osteoarthritis. Pain, stiffness, swollen joints, reduced movement… "well, old age is no joy".

In fact it is not so much old age as an immune disease. It affects quite young dogs too. Yes, immune. Osteoarthritis is a disease not of the joints and bones, but of the immune system.

There are various options. Weight loss, diets, COX inhibitors, acupuncture, rehabilitation, homeopathy… The most direct route seems to be to pull hard on the reins of the immune system. Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants!

The supplements accepted as standard against osteoarthritis are vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. Is there anything else? There is! Type II collagen. Undenatured type II collagen. It turns out to be over 40% more effective than the other ingredients!

And what is oral tolerance? In the gut there are zones where something like basic training and specialisation of the immune system's units takes place. The aim is to slowly teach the immune system that these are not enemies.

Why am I writing this little article? Because there are many suffering older dogs (and young ones too), and I would like their owners, if nothing else, to at least be aware of this problem and these solutions.

And why else? Because I adore immunology, and every time I have to prescribe steroids and immunosuppressants my heart breaks.