ARTHRITIS – PIONEERING NUTRITION RELIEVES PET PAIN

Although there have been many advances in the treatment of arthritis in recent years, it seems our four-legged friends are ahead of the pack when it comes to managing the disease with nutrition.

Pioneering nutrigenomics has been applied to develop a range of pet food that can help ease the pain and slow down the progression of this devastating joint disease. Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d contains high levels of EPA, an omega 3 fatty acid, which has been shown to reduce inflammation and influence the gene that causes joint damage.

Nutrigenomics is a relatively new science that explores how certain nutrients can assist in preventing specific diseases. This allows scientists to gain a better understanding of how nutrition can influence disease and has the potential to improve well-being for people and pets, and, in some cases, prolong life expectancy.

“Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d is the first range of pet foods to be developed by applying nutrigenomics,” said Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary advisor for Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “The nutrients in the food literally block the genes that produce cartilage destroying enzymes, and thus protect the joints from further damage.”

Arthritis, which is a very common and painful condition, affects one in seven South Africans and hundreds of millions of people worldwide¹.  It is also the most common cause of chronic pain in adult dogs. Previously it was thought that cats were rarely affected but new research from the University of Glasgow² has found that as many as 30% of all cats over the age of eight may have a reduced quality of life due to the disease and an earlier study³ found that 65% of cats aged 12 years and older were affected.

Symptoms of arthritis include stiffness and joint pain, which often manifests as difficulty rising from lying down.  Dogs with arthritis may limp or be reluctant to walk or play. Cats often mask pain but those affected are usually not as active, groom less, may urinate inside (because they can’t get out as easily), and may be less willing (or able) to jump up and down from heights.

Veterinary nurse Zoë Gunstone from Cyrildene, Johannesburg, said that her nine year old cat Rusty was diagnosed with arthritis in April this year. “Rusty loves his food but he couldn’t manage to jump up to the counter where we feed him. He didn’t like us touching his hindquarters and he stopped playing with our other cats.” Zoë tried Rusty on the j/d diet and said, “I was so surprised when after just two weeks he was running around like a lunatic. He is social and playful again and can easily jump up on the counter. And I’ve been able to stop giving him anti-inflammatory pain relief every day.”

Bella, a five year old Bulldog / German Shepherd cross from Somerset West, has suffered from arthritis most of her life, having been diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia at six months old. Her vet, Dr Claudia Hirmer, said that when Bella was fed the j/d diet there was an 82% improvement within two months. “Based on a scoring system rating things like ease of rising, perceived pain, lameness, willingness to climb stairs and such, her mobility improvement has been dramatic. She is a lot less irritable and is definitely more comfortable. After the first month her anti-inflammatory and other supplementation could be noticeably reduced and after two months we were able to stop them altogether.”

Hill’s is leading the way in nutrigenomics, developing complete, balanced foods that help manage disease by simply feeding your pet.  The company is so confident that the j/d range improves mobility they are offering a special j/d Trial Programme at participating vets.  Feed your arthritic cat Feline j/d for 28 days or your dog Canine j/d for 21 days and if you do not see an improvement in that time, Hill’s promises a full money-back refund.

For more information about j/d, the j/d Trial Programme or osteoarthritis speak to your vet or call the toll-free Hill’s Careline on (0800) 228 783.