Book Review:
The Arthritis Cure For Pets: How to Halt, Reverse, And Even Cure Your Pet's Osteoarthritis

Review by Evan Simpson

If you have arthritis, then The Arthritis Cure is probably stacked somewhere on your coffee table. Way back in 1997, the book pioneered new advances in the treatment of arthritis, claiming that the combo of a strategic nine-step program and over-the-counter meds could end osteoarthritis pain forever. And, unlike some other alleged "miracle cures" (Remember your mom's advice of soaking eight raisins in gin overnight, then eating them in the morning?), the Arthritis Cure had no side effects and required no prescription. For humans, the book would have been a godsend ‚ if it had truly cured osteoarthritis for everyone.

But what about our furry friends with arthritis? We've certainly heard Creak the Dog give his fair share of bitching and moaning. Interestingly, the original Arthritis Cure was first tested on animals, and the results from those early experiments have been published in The Arthritis Cure for Pets. Finally, there is help for the twenty million dogs and thirteen million cats in America that are likely to suffer from the same disease we cope with each and every day.

With approximately 200 pages of insightful reading, you are given an in-depth look into the world of arthritis. The content of this book deals primarily with canine and feline arthritis, and covers causes, prevention, and treatments.. This book is a resource for all owners of arthritic pets.

The book starts with a discussion of arthritis and possible causes. For example, the authors discount the inevitability of osteoarthritis, and its cause by the normal wear and tear of joints, as an old wives' tale. They claim that the three primary causes of this disease are heredity, poor nutrition, and injury.

Since nothing can be done about heredity, the main focus of the book is the six-point system she created to help her dog, as follows:

1. Have your pet properly diagnosed by a veterinarian. This allows you to target the problem if it exists and find help from a professional.
2. Use Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate with supplements in your pets' food to help the cat's immune system and fight off toxins in their environment.
3. Take advantage of painkillers, but only temporarily. This step involves NSAIDS, used to help the animal exercise without pain.
4. Exercise your pet regularly. Exercise helps strengthen joints and build up cartilage. The worst thing for any animal is to be inactive. So take your pet out for a walk and give them toys to play with.
5. Avoid injury, and quickly attend to injuries if they do occur. This is just a precaution used to minimize further damage to the joints and cartilage.
6. Keep your pets on a balanced diet. The laws of gravity make this is one of the most important steps. The heavier your pet is, the more strain on the joints, the greater the risk of arthritis.

These are mild lifestyle changes that range from the basic alteration of your pets' diet, to finding a useful painkiller for temporary relief of arthritis pain. These steps make a dog like Creak very happy, except the fact that one of the steps is to cut down their food, which for Creak is a 'killer.'

This book is a useful tool. Like Creak, animals suffer from arthritis on a daily basis, and can use a helping paw. After seeing most of the arthritic symptoms in her dog disappear, the author tried them on herself, with positive results. This resource is an excellent guide for prevention of arthritis in cats, dogs, and maybe even you.

Ordering Information
The Arthritis Cure For Pets: How To Halt, Reverse, And Even Cure Your Pet's Osteoarthritis
Brian Beale, D.V.M.,D.A.C.V.S., and Brenda Adderly, M.H.A.
Little, Brown And Company Books 2000
ISBN: 0-316-08590-1
Buy this book at barnesandnoble.com

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