Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease characterised by the degeneration of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, and bone remodelling. It is the most common form of arthritis in dogs and can also occur in puppies. In the course of the disease, the cartilage breaks down and the bones begin to abrade against each other. This process causes pain and inflammation in the joint and restricts the movement of the animal.
In pets, osteoarthritis can be indicated by the following signs:
- Lameness
- Crepitus
- Reduced joint mobility
- Stiffness
- Reluctance to move or jump
- Licking the painful area
- Decreased muscle mass in a certain area
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in behaviour
- Difficulty settling
- Difficulty cleaning itself
- Not liking to be picked up
- Tends to hide more
It should be noted that these clinical signs are more common in dogs, as cats are able to hide them better.
Osteoarthritis is usually found in ageing animals, but it can have other causes:
- Breed predisposition
- Overweight/obesity
- Trauma
- Inappropriate diet
Osteoarthritis treatment requires a multifaceted approach: exercise, diet, pharmaceuticals, and chondroprotectors. For this reason, VetPlus has developed SYNOQUIN®, a chondroprotector in the form of tasty tablets that relieves joint pain and inflammation.
It contains 5 active ingredients:
GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE - a key component of healthy cartilage.
CHONDROITIN SULPHATE – provides shock absorbing properties to cartilage.
DEXAHAN® – contains omega-3 fatty acids that reduce joint pain and improve joint mobility.
ASCORBIC ACID – helps prevent oxidative stress in joints.
ZINC – promotes the formation of healthy cartilage.
