Arthritis, osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD) describes a common inflammatory condition of one or more joints. Pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion are all symptoms of joint inflammation. In healthy joints, bones are covered with cartilage and are surrounded by a thin fluid filled capsule. The synovial fluid nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints.  When the cartilage deteriorates the smooth protective cartilage becomes uneven, bumpy and pitted.  Because cartilage does not have a developed nerve supply, many animals do not exhibit signs of pain or stiffness until the inflammatory process has affected the nerve-dense lining of the joint capsule or surrounding tendons or ligaments. Unfortunately, by the time many animals express symptoms of lameness or joint pain the condition may be so progressed that complete healing may not be possible.

What causes arthritis? There are many reasons pets develop degenerative joint disease. Joint problems are more common in dogs than cats. Large and giant breed dogs have more arthritis than small breed dogs. Certainly frame size and heavy body mass adds an additional burden to joints, tendons and ligaments. Some breeds are predisposed to joint degeneration. The December 15, 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than half of 2 year old golden retrievers show radiographic evidence of DJD. Arthritis can be acute in onset due to trauma, injury or infection. Cartilage may not develop correctly or joints may be genetically malformed.

Arthritis may also be auto-immune in origin. Auto-immune polyarthritis is due to the body forming antibodies to synovial fluid proteins or foreign proteins (similar in structure to proteins found in the joint capsule) that spark an immune reaction in the joint capsule. In people, rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be a T cell mediated reaction against indigenous or exogenous antigen on antigen-presenting cells in the synovial tissues. There is emerging evidence that auto-immune arthritis patients benefit from a diet containing raw foods and no cereal or dairy products. Allergic arthritis (also called “food induced arthritis”) is recognized in people and is thought to occur in pets as well. Older animals are more prone to degenerative disease from chronic subluxations of multiple joints and subsequent abnormal wear and tear.

Cartilage is made up of collagen, water and proteoglycans (including hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans). A great deal of research is being conducted on the body’s ability to repair damaged cartilage. There is substantial evidence that several substances are necessary for reparative processes to occur within a joint. Repair of the cartilage matrix requires the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) so that collagen deposition can occur. Glucosamine is required for the synthesis of GAGs and is the rate-limiting step. The synthesis of glucosamine comes from glucose and glutamine in the body and production is slowed as animals age. Glucosamine is rapidly absorbed by chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and also stimulates synovial fluid production and reduces destructive enzyme activity. Chondroitin sulfate is the major GAG found in cartilage and is only found in animal tissues. Most of the chondroitin supplements on the market are produced from bovine trachea cartilage.

There is substantial evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin effectively relieve arthritic pain and help the body recover from joint trauma. However, pets rely on the consumption of sulfur, free form amino acids, glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage maintenance and repair. But what if their diet doesn’t contain these building blocks for healthy joints? The joints cannot be maintained and degeneration occurs. What’s the richest source of glucosamine, chondroitin and trace minerals? Poultry necks. What’s the best source of free form amino acids? Eggs and raw meat. What does that tell you about the necessity of pets consuming raw foods? It’s vital for joint health. 

Living foods are also rich in enzymes which exert an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Some enzymes can cleave the bond between antigen-antibody complexes, reducing the body’s inflammatory response. Consuming more sulfur-containing foods (garlic and eggs) may also help pets with arthritis. Avoiding peppers, tomatoes and potatoes may reduce joint inflammation (as solanine sometimes aggravates the condition). Interestingly, cherries have been found to help ease arthritic pain. Research conducted at Michigan State University found that consuming 20 cherries a day (containing 12-25 mg anthocyanins) was equal to the anti-inflammatory effects of 10 aspirin.  

Research conducted at the Tufts University School of Medicine found that people with arthritis who regularly consumed deep-sea fish or omega 3 fatty acid supplements had fewer tender joints, less stiffness and joint pain. Feeding arthritic pets more fish may help reduce joint inflammation. Lots of exercise is also crucial in keeping adequate muscle tone and preventing joints from becoming stiff. Mild controlled exercise is necessary for pets with arthritis as it improves circulation and prevents muscle atrophy.