Health

New Help for Aging Pets

Boomers and others know that treating a pet suffering from arthritis is never easy and often requires several daily doses of medicine.

Manufacturer Fort Dodge Animal Health says their new medication -- EtoGesic Tablets -- now provides a once-a-day solution, relieving pain and inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis for up to 24 hours with a single dose.

Recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the prescription-only drug makes administering the medicine easier on pet owners as well as their dogs suffering from the disease. A Fort Dodge spokesman says the tablets can be given at any time of day, with or without food.

Veterinary experts estimate that nearly one in five adult dogs suffers from osteoarthritis. Just as in aging humans, arthritis in dogs is a progressive, crippling disease characterized by pain, joint swelling and decreased activity. There is no known cure for the family pet sidelined by osteoarthritis. Although dogs of any age, breed and size can develop osteoarthritis, the disease is frequently seen in older, larger or overweight dogs, as well as those with inherited disorders such as hip dysplasia.