Hyaluronic acid (Legend) is another injectable agent, which has been used in people and horses, and may protect the joint by increasing the viscosity of the joint fluid, reducing inflammation. Oral supplements such as Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) are promoted to relieve pain and/or inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), fibromyalgia and gout, and to correct constipation, relieve allergies, control stomach acidity and, believe it or not, stop snoring.

Creatine is being promoted as a muscular performance enhancer, and there is scientific evidence to support this. The pursuit of performance enhancing potions is a bit like the alchemist's dreams of turning lead into gold. Too often the latest fad turns out to do nothing or is harmful. Although creatine supplementation offers short-term limited benefits, whether or not it is harmful long term has yet to be fully determined.

Vitamin C is another oral supplement that helps the immune system fight off foreign invaders and tumor cells. It also supports the cardiovascular system by facilitating fat metabolism and protecting tissues from free radical damage, and it assists the nervous system by converting certain amino acids into neurotransmitters. Dogs and cats can produce their own Vitamin C.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also strongly recommended for pets suffering from arthritis. They are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types of fat that the body derives from food. (Cholesterol, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) All polyunsaturated fats, including the omega-3s, are increasingly recognized as important to dogs with arthritis.

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