Relief for dogs with arthritis: new natural supplement may have implications for humans too
Arthritis pain in dogs can be relieved, with no apparent side effects, by a new product based on medicinal plants and dietary supplements, a study group claims in Research in Veterinary Science.
The team came up with two formulas that are not commercially available. The first, composed of curcumin, devil’s claw, black current, Indian frankincense (Salai), willow bark, pineapple bromelaine and camomile, was developed to treat arthritis-induced inflammation. The second included the same ingredients, plus dietary supplements such as omega 3, chondroitin sulfate and glutamine, and was formulated to promote the regeneration of articulations.
A total of 32 dogs who had been diagnosed with arthritis by X-ray and orthopaedic exam, and who all weighed more than 20kg, were split into two groups.
Half the dogs received the first formula for four weeks and then the second formula for another four weeks. The other half, acting as the control, received a placebo. The outcomes were tested using three methods:
1) The dogs were filmed as they walked at a consistent speed over a special platform that captures the strength of each paw.
2) An electronic collar recorded the dogs’ daily activities.
3) The owners provided evaluations of their dog’s behaviour.
The researchers were able to identify an improvement by the fourth week of the trial. The collars revealed that the dogs receiving treatment increased their physical activity but the dogs receiving the placebo were progressively less active.
“After the eight week course, on average, the strength of the dogs receiving treatment had improved to the equivalent of a kilo of extra strength per paw,” says Maxim Moreau, lead author. “None of these dogs saw their health decline, unlike 35.8% of the dogs who were given the placebo.”
The findings raise the possibility of offering a new form of treatment to human beings.
“The model of evaluation that we have used is the best for predicting the efficacy of anti-arthritis treatments,” explains Prof Eric Troncy, who is involved in the work. “We can therefore consider that clinical trials on humans would have a good chance of having positive outcomes.”
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Image credit: Andrew Morrell
