As dogs age, many suffer from arthritis. The veterinary pharmaceutical industry has medications for the disease, but serious side effects are possible with these drugs. MSM is generally free of side effects and available over the counter. It is also inexpensive. Treatment with MSM provides relief to dogs with arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Visit the veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis of arthritis in dogs.
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MSM
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MSM can keep an older dog limber. MSM is short for methyl-sulfonyl-methane, or biological sulfur. Found naturally in many foods, including raw meat, the MSM sold commercially derives from the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO. MSM is available over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets and is promoted as an anti-inflammatory for people, dogs, cats and horses with arthritis or prone to the disease. It is sometimes used in combination with glucosamine, another over-the-counter product believed to aid in arthritis treatment. In the body, biological sulfur is stored in bones, muscles, skin and hair.
Arthritis
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Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, causing pain and stiffness. The most common type is osteoarthritis,or degenerative joint disease, when cartilage breaks down and bone hits bone. Early symptoms in dogs include difficulty getting up from a prone position or walking up and down stairs. Although arthritis may strike bigger dogs more severely, it is common in canines of all sizes and breeds.
Other Treatments
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Common treatments of arthritis in dogs include anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids in more serious cases. These drugs may have side effects, especially with long-term use, including organ damage. Surgery and joint reconstruction are possible, although usually done on younger animals. Dogs, like people, may have total hip replacements due to the severity and debilitating effects of arthritis. In recent years, holistic approaches such as acupuncture and massage have used on arthritic animals.
Skin Conditions and MSM
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MSM is not used just for arthritis treatment in dogs. Various skin conditions affecting dogs have been known to respond to MSM. MSM supplementation is noted for improving overall hair coat and skin quality, according to Natural Dog Health Remedies.
Allergies and MSM
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MSM has anti-oxidant properties, which help eliminate toxins, and can aid in certain allergies, especially those affecting the skin. Many canine allergies are food-related. If it is impractical to feed a raw diet, add MSM to commercial dog food for some of these benefits.
Dosage
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There are MSM supplements marketed specifically for dogs, but it is usually cheaper to buy MSM made for humans and adjust the dosage accordingly. MSM is usually given at 500 mg per day per 25 pounds of body weight for the dog, says Arthritis MSM Supplements.com. For a 50-pound dog that would be 1,000 mg daily. You can break MSM capsules open and mix them with food, or wrap tablets in a piece of meat or cheese and give them as a treat. Liquid MSM is also available for mixing with food.
Side Effects
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There are few reported side effects with MSM, reports Natural Dog Health Remedies. Always tell the vet which medications a dog is taking, whether prescription or over the counter. There have been no reported drug interactions with MSM.
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