Tackle Osteoarthritis With Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition

Independent market research firm Zyman Group found that vets are more likely to give supplements than any other treatment in early stage osteoarthritis: 66 per cent of cases receive supplements, 45 per cent are given NSAIDs; and only 20 per cent receive dietetic pet food.² In contrast to many supplements, Hill’s^TM Prescription Diet^TM j/d^TM dry is clinically proven to improve mobility in osteoarthritic dogs in as little as 21 days; and 28 days in cats.^3,4 The clinical study assigned to j/d™ Grade 1 level evidence - the highest grade reflecting the validity of clinical evidence. Prescription Diet j/d also helps reduce NSAID dosage by up to 25 percent in dogs.⁵ John Innes, Professor of Small Animal Surgery at Liverpool, was involved in some of the early work on j/d. “Our results showed that the EPA in Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Canine pet food helped to reduce proteoglycan loss from cartilage. This would have beneficial effects in helping to preserve loss of cartilage. By preserving the cartilage, we can reduce pain in the long-term and ensure greater mobility for dogs with osteoarthritis,” Innes said. As a result of the positive response from vets, nurses and pet owners, Hill’s Pet Nutrition announced today an additional bonus: Hill’sTM Prescription DietTM j/dTM dry has been enriched with the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. A substantial majority of vets and nurses said that they felt that natural GACs have a positive effect in osteoarthritis.¹ High levels of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate have been added to j/d Canine; j/d Canine Reduced Calorie and j/d Feline, all dry pet foods. This makes j/d a great choice for pet owners who want their pet to benefit from GACs. To improve client acceptance of veterinary recommendation, Hill’s 21-day in dogs and 28 days in cats, Hill’s j/d programme is now backed with money off vouchers. Clients who register on the website www.hillspetmobility.co.uk,or www.hillspetmobility.ie, will receive two £10 (or €10) money off e-coupons to use in clinic on their next purchases of j/d. They will also receive monthly e-mails packed with useful information on how to take care of their pet with mobility problems, and help drive them back into the clinic for check-ups. This initiative is designed to support the clinician’s recommendation and encourage repeat purchases from the practice. Of course, the benefits will be reinforced when clients see the benefits of clinical nutrition in their pet, which are attributed to high levels of omega 3 fatty acids to decrease inflammation in the joint 8,9 and high levels of EPA (and DHA in the feline product) which down-regulates the gene which encodes for the enzyme aggrecanase.^6,7 Vets who would like more information on the studies proving clinical efficacy, or score cards and trial guides for clients, should contact their Hill’s Territory manager or call 0800 242438 or in ROI 1 800 626002. Clients can also fill in the scorecard online at www.hillspetmobility.co.uk or www.hillspetmobility.ie ReferencesHill’s data on fileZyman group, Hill’s funded brand equity research – mobility – Jan 2009Fritsch D, Allen T A , Dodd C E, et al. Dose-titration effects of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids in osteoarthritic dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2010; 24:1020-1026.Sparkes A, Allen T A, Fritsch D, and Hahn K A. Effective dietary management of spontaneous appendicular osteoarthritis in cats. Unpublished.Fritsch D, Allen TA, Dodd C E, et al. A multicenter study of the effect of a therapeutic food supplemented with fish oil omega 3-fatty acids on the Carprofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc.Vol 236, No. 5, March 1, 2010; 535-539.Caterson B,Little C B, Cramp J et al. Eicosapentaeonate supplementation abrogates canine articular cartilage degradation in ‘in vitro’ explant culture systems, in Proceedings, Hill’s European Symposium on Osteoarthritis and Joint Health 2005; 14-19.Innes J, Gabriel N, Vaughan-Thomas A. Feline Arthritis: Changes in Articular Cartilage, Development of a Degradation Model, and Testing of Candidate Nutrients. In: Proceedings of Hill’s Global Mobility Symposium Sunny Isles Beach,Florida, USA April23-25,2008:pp.24-28.Frantz N. Effect of Prescription Diet j/dTM Canine on clinical measures, cartilage biomarkers, and metaboloic changes in dogs with osteoarthritis. J. Vet. Int. Med. 2010; 24: 718 Abstract 156.Hill’s Data on File.

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