MSM is a natural sulfur compound that is found in all living things and is the third most prominent compound found in the body, after water and sodium. MSM is an essential dietary sulfur compound previously almost overlooked by doctors and scientists until more recently when it was isolated by Dr. Stanley Jacob of the University of Oregon Medical School and Robert Hershler

Unlike the 'bad sulfurs', such as sulfates, sulfites and sulfides, the sulfur in MSM is as safe and important as Vitamin C is in the mammalian diet. It has been shown that MSM has many desirable properties and is an invaluable component in treating the effects and causes of canine osteoarthritis.

MSM:

• Allows toxins and excess water to be flushed out of cells
• Makes cell walls more permeable so that toxins can be removed by the body
• Works in conjunction with Vitamin C to help build healthy new tissue
• Provides a flexible bond between bone and cartilage cells
• Stimulates the growth of healthy skin, nails and hair

Chondroitin is actually a sulfated form of glycosaminoglycan that is composed of alternating sugars. It acts much the same way that glucosamine does, and can be useful to use in conjunction with glucosamine. Chondroitin sulfate is a major structural component of cartilage and provides much of its resistance to compression.

If you would like to supplement the arthritis medications with a topical solution as well, emu oil has been shown to greatly reduce pain and swelling in a matter of minutes. Obviously, with dogs and cats, their fur makes applying anything to the skin a somewhat complicated matter. But if your furry friend is really suffering, you may find that application of emu oil is worth the messy fur and time it takes to rub the medication into the skin.

Emu oil has been shown to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness in joints that are close to the surface of the skin. So where emu oil may not be able to penetrate to treat very deep joints and arthritic pain, it can work wonders for toes and knee joints -places where the joint is located relatively close the surface of the skin.

My own dog has been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for several years, along with the prescription medication Rimadyl. These medications have made a huge difference in his quality of life. When the arthritis started showing up, he would stop during walks and began limping every once in a while. After ruling out structural problems, we began to try different arthritis medications. I believe that a combination of homeopathic medicines along with some type of additional anti-inflammatory medicine is a complete regimen that will provide relief for most canine osteoarthritis issues.