Nutritional management of compromised joint mobility in dogs

Joint mobility is suboptimal in as many as 20% of adult dogs³. Irreparable cartilage modification can occur before clinical signs (such as lameness) are recognised, making early diagnosis challenging. Early dietary intervention is an important part of the recommended management of dogs with suboptimal mobility. Dietary interventions have been proven to improve radiographic signs of osteoarthritis and gait^1,3-9.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF JOINT DISORDERS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is classified as a non-inflammatory disease of diarthrodial joints characterised by deterioration of articular cartilage and the formation of new bone at the joint surfaces and margins. The precise pathogenesis of this condition is still not fully understood:

MMPs: matrix metalloproteases
TIMPs: MMP inhibitors

MODIFYING THE INFLAMMATORY COMPONENT

Although classified as "non-inflammatory", osteoarthritis can have a significant inflammatory component contributing to clinical signs and disease progression. Modifying this inflammation may have benefits in reducing production of proteases such as MMP, enhancing activity of protease inhibitors (such as TIMPs) and thus reducing cartilage degradation:

The omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid is the major substrate for the production of inflammatory eicosanoids under the influence of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.
Providing enhanced levels of omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) provides an alternative substrate for the action of the COX enzymes and results in production of less inflammatory or anti-inflammatory eicosanoids.
This in turn may both reduce joint inflammation and cartilage degradation.

CLINICAL ADVANTAGES WITH THE USE OF CANINE JM

Canine JM provides:

DHA and EPA, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids which improve biomarkers of Canine OA¹, and significantly improve objective force plate gait analysis in dogs with osteoarthritis within 10 days.
Feeding guidelines for maintenance or weight loss to help reduce stress on the joints. Weight control is vitally important and has been proven to improve the gait in dogs with OA³ as well as help reduce and delay radiographic evidence of OA in predisposed breeds^4-9.
Glucosamine and antioxidants, both of which may play a useful role in maintaining joint health⁸.

Canine JM is clinically proven to improve dog’s mobility and quality of life⁹:

Significantly improve visible gait assessed by both owner (90% noticed an improvement) and veterinarian (87% noticed an improvement in dog's quality of life).

1. Hansen RA, et al. Long chain n-3 PUFA improve biochemical parameters associated with canine osteoarthritis. Proc Am Oil Chem Soc meeting, Cincinnati, May 9-12, 2004.
2. Moreau M, Troncy E, Gauvin D, Lussier B. Effects of feeding a high omega-3 fatty acid diet on the pain-related disability
in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2010; 18, Suppl. 2: S9-S44. 3. Burkholder WJ et al. Weight loss to optimal body condition increases ground reactive force in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Proceedings of the Purina Nutrition Forum, St. Louis Missouri, Ralston Purina Company. 2000; Oct: 19-22. 4. Lawler DF et al. Diet restriction and ageing in the dog: major observations over two decades. Br J Nutr. 2008; 99: 793-805.
5. Kealy RD et al. Evaluation of the effect of limited food consumption on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000; 11(1): 1678-1680.
6. Kealy RD et al. Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992; 201(6): 857-863.
7. Smith GK et al. Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006; 5(1): 690-693.
8. Jaswal S, et al. Antioxidant status in rheumatoid arthritis and role of antioxidant therapy. Clin Chim Acta 2003; 338: 123-129.
9. Nestlé Purina study on 146 osteoarthritic dogs, 2004.