Preventing Joint Damage Following Injury
To prevent escalating joint damage following injury, stop the white blood cells from rushing into an injured area. The following steps will help limit the initial injury and limit white blood cell-induced inflammation:
- Use ice, elevation, and rest after injury.
- Give aspirin or a prescription anti-inflammatory before events that cause injury. Anti-inflammatories that are onboard before damage help prevent white blood cell migration into the joints.
- Give Traumeel tablets immediately following injury or strenuous work to promote normal inflammatory response and no over-reaction by white blood cells.
- Give Yucca Intensive to control inflammation.
- Give Be Well routinely. Be Well is rich with antioxidants that help limit free radical damage.
Recommendations for Agility, Working, and Herding Dogs
Day of Competition
Give a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) 1-3 hours before competition unless rules prohibit its use: Aspirin, Rimadyl, EtoGesic, Deramaxx, Metacam.
Put ice in herding dogs' cooling-off tubs. Soak their legs—not necessarily the dog's body—in cool water for a full 10 minutes following events.
If Injured or If The Work Was Physically Demanding
Give Traumeel tablets 4 times a day for 2 days following competition if there was an injury or the work was demanding.
Give Yucca Intensive once daily for at least 3 days following injury.
Can Two NSAIDs or Supplements Be Used at the Same Time?
No. Do not give more than one NSAID medication at a time. That is, if you give aspirin, don't add Rimadyl. If your dog is on a steroid (Prednisone, Prednisolone) do not use any additional NSAIDs to control inflammation. NSAIDs can cause ulcers, kidney and liver damage. They are best used infrequently and at the lowest dose. The NSAIDs Etodolac, EtoGesic, Rimadyl, and Metacam tend to be less damaging to the stomach than aspirin.
Can Supplements Be Used with NSAIDs?
Traumeel, Yucca Intensive, Be Well, Nordic Naturals Omega 3-Pet, Super Pure Omega 3, and joint supplements do not harm the stomach, liver, or kidneys. These supplements and medications can be safely used together or combined with an NSAID.
Can More Than One Supplement Be Used at the Same Time?
Agility, herding, and working dogs are not the same as couch potato pets. These dogs place strenuous demands upon their bodies. They need to be "well tuned." Just as an automobile benefits from radiator fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, wiper fluid, power steering fluid, and engine oil, many working and agility dogs benefit from multiple supplements and joint medications. Each supplement provides a different benefit, and together they contribute to overall performance.
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