Cartilage consists of four
parts. Chondrocytes are the actual living cellular part.
They produce and deposit two construction macromolecules
called collagen and proteoglycan around themselves, creating
an elaborate criss-crossing meshwork matrix, like a felt
pad. The fourth part is water, as a permeating matrix infusion,
comprising 65 to 80 percent of the cartilage mass. This
very high water content is essential in preventing cartilage
deterioration.
Each proteoglycan bears several
thousand special water-loving molecular attachments, called
glucosaminoglycans, or GAG's for short. GAG's are powerful
water "magnets" that attract and tenaciously hold
inside the matrix the 65 to 80 percent water content of
cartilage. The principal GAG is called Chondroitin Sulfate,
and accounts for 66% of the GAG production. The GAG concentration
in the matrix is a crucial focal point in any efforts to
arrest cartilage deterioration.
Jubilee GAG Wafers are specifically
formulated for dogs. These wafers are food products that
may function to inhibit cartilage degradation by helping
to stimulate the body's ability to produce more GAG's. The
cartilage make up of our formulation may help with the hydration
of joints because of their polyanionic characteristics -
thus the lubrication needed in joints for proper function.
- Helps to
lubricate joints
- Provides mechanism for nutrient absorption
- Anti- inflammatory effect on joints
- Regulates activity on cartilage
- Inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage
- GAG's are in the form of a functional
food rather than the traditional oral pill form. -
Jubilee GAG Wafers are natural -(not a drug), so
feeding in conjunction with arthritis medication by your
veterinarian can be useful with no side effects. They are
not a substitute for treatment, but a supportive means to
assist with canine discomfort.
HIP DYSPLAYSIA - Malformation
of the joints causing arthritis and painful joints.
DISC DISEASE - Collapsed disc
spaces and bony formations under the disc spaces causing
back pain.
OSTEOARTHRITIS - knees or elbows
- damaged cartilage occurs in these joints secondary to
dislocating knee caps, torn ligaments within the knee, hereditary
or congenital malformations of the knees, elbows or trauma.
Chondrotin Sulfate - A natural
polymer of protein and disaccharide's - is composed of Glucosamine,
galactosarnine and glucuronic acid - collectively, Chondrotin
sulfates make up a major portion of the GAG's (glycosaminoglycans)
in cartilage. Glucosamine - a precursor of hyaluronic acid
and other GAG's - helps with cartilage repair. Hyaluronic
Acid a principal component of cartilage and helps with inflammation
and discomfort.
Arthritis stems from the degradation
of the cartilage within a joint. Cartilage acting as a buffer
between bones in a joint and breakdown of cartilage can
reduce the efficiency of the functions of the joint. Mild
arthritis is uncomfortable. Severe arthritis, which can
progress to bone on bone contact if the cartilage damage
is extensive, is very painful.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
include: - Stiffness in moving joints - Favoring a limb
- Difficulty in rising - Hesitancy to jump - Decreased activity
level and lethargy Diagnosing Osteoarthritis can be done
by a veterinarian with a physical exam and validated with
radiographs.
GAG's should be a part of a
complete care program supervised by your veterinarian. There
is no need to wait for the symptoms of Arthritis to become
pronounced to start using Jubilee Wafers because it works
as a great preventative. It can even be started in young
dogs known to have a predisposition to hip, elbow, knee
or shoulder dysplaysia in canines.
The most common problems dogs
encounter as they age include osteoarhritis, rheumatism,
schleroderma and arthritic diseases. Genetic disorders include
Elbow Dysplaysia, Herniated Disc, Myasthenia Graves, Degenerative
Myelopathy, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Panosteitis and Leg-Calve-Perthes
Disease. Signs include pain, lameness, reluctance to climb
stairs, stiffness, joint distortion, wobbly and uncoordinated
gait.
Different practitioners favor
different combinations of treatment from herbs, homeopathic
preparations, nutrition, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy,
surgery and medication to help manage the pain and inflammation.
Emphasis should be on a good, diagnostic work-up before
initiating any treatment.
Management of the patient's
pain and stiffness is essentially management of the arthritis,
as nothing can be done to correct the underlying problems
of joint laxity or to reverse the degeneration of the bones.
On the other hand, alleviating the inflammation and pain
of arthritis without negative side effects is often enough
to restore function to the joint and a meaningful quality
of life.
Cartilage-derived mucopolysaccharides
as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates A and C have been
found helpful in relieving inflammation and may even reverse
the degenerative process in some dogs. It does this by nourishing
the cartilage and increasing viscosity of the synovial fluid
- the joint's lubricating system - thereby reducing friction
and pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates attract fluid
into the joint's cartilage system and help the body repair
damaged joints while keeping the cartilage destroying enzymes
under control - equal or better results than anti-inflammatory
drugs. Mucopolysaccharides are being prescribed increasingly
by conventional as well as holistic veterinarians.
