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The goals in the treatment of degenerative joint disease
are to alleviate the animal's discomfort, to prevent the
occurrence of further degenerative changes, and to restore
the affected joint or joints to as near normal and pain-free
function as possible.
In the acute stages of DJD, when joint effusion is present
and the inflammatory process is at its peak, exercise should
not be allowed. Our patients are at somewhat of a disadvantage
in that even the act of moving from one spot to another
may involve use of an affected joint, whereas a person may
use a crutch to aid in reducing the stress.
While the relationship between obesity per se and DJD in
humans remains controversial, reduction to ideal weight
would seem sensible, since degenerative changes are initiated
or aggravated by excessive or abnormally directed pressures
on articular cartilage.
There is no doubt that "Lucy " has felt the benefit
of now weighing in at a mere 10 stone!
Medical therapy includes a wide variety of pills and potions,
each with essentially the same purpose-to reduce inflammation
and act as an analgesic of which "Lucy" has had
her share.
Currently, however she also seems to be benefiting from
a drug used to modify the arthritic disease process in the
hope of improving joint integrity and consequently function.
This drug "pentosan polyphosphate" started life
as an anticoagulant, is used in America to treat humans
with cystitis and has been used to treat patients in this
country who have become affected with the human version
of "mad cow disease".
Let's hope we only ever need to treat "Lucy"
for her joints!!
Terry
Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS
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