NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Nutrition can influence developmental orthopedic diseases and the infl ammatory process of arthritis. Developmental skeletal disease is a gro up of skeletal abnormalities that primarily affect fast-growing, large -breed dogs. Nutrient excesses (calcium and energy) and rapid growth ( overfeeding and excess energy) are known risk factors. Inflammation ca n be directly or indirectly affected by nutritional influences. A dire ct effect can be achieved by modulating the immune response and inflam matory process with fatty acids. Weight control can indirectly influen ce the degenerative joint disease process by reducing the stresses on the joint.