What are the benefits of the ingredients found in Glycoflex?  GlyComega from New Zealand is produced under strict government regulated standards to ensure quality and purity.  The GlyComega is an edible species of shellfish that can be freeze-dried into a concentrated powder.  It is rich in amino acids (building blocks that make up connective tissue), polypeptides, chelated minerals, fatty acids (essential for producing and rebuilding new cells), glycosaminoglycans (which make up the core of connective tissue), and vitamins and the nucleic acids RNA and DNA.

• What role do amino acids play?  They support the growth and development of all body tissues.  Amino acids (valine, isoleucine, and leucine) provide energy directly to muscle tissue.
• What are chelated minerals and why are they important?  A chelated mineral is one that is attached to a protein molecule and thereby helps the body effectively absorb the mineral.  Minerals like manganese and calcium are important to bone and joint health.
• What role do fatty acids play?  Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids support joint health, immune system function, and skin health.
• What are glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and why are they important?  GAGs are the principle components of cartilage and synovial fluid found in the joint.  They have been referred to as the “glue of life” as they help hold together connective tissues like collagen, tendons, and ligaments.  GAGs are essential for maintaining the shock absorbency of joints.
• What is glucosamine?  It is an amino sugar produced in the body that provides a key building block for the synthesis of GAGs and proteoglycans.  Glucosamine is found in the tissues of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, synovial fluid, skin, heart valves, and the eye.  A high level of GAGs enables the joints to hold more water thereby increasing flexibility, cushioning ability, and resiliency.  Glucosamine makes up fifty percent of hyaluronic acid, which is the principal GAG found in synovial fluid.
• What is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)?  It is a source of organic sulfur and can act as a building unit for sulfur-containing constituents.  Sulfur is an essential mineral found in various compounds and structures in the body such as collagen, hormones, and immune-globulins (proteins with antibody activity).   Sulfur as part of MSM helps the body to maintain good cell membrane flexibility and permeability, which allows for the the exchange of nutrients into and toxins out of the cell.  It is also involved in the formation of collagen.  MSM provides organic sulfur for amino acids used to create new cells.  Unfortunately, the concentration of organic sulfur in the body can be reduced through the normal aging process and stress.
• What is dimethylglycine (DMG)?  It is a versatile health-building factor that can help animals maintain a strong immune system.  Dimethylglycine is a natural amino acid found in the body.  DMG supplies methyl groups for modification, building and detoxifying many constituents in the body, and acts as an antioxidant.
• What is manganese?  Manganese is an essential mineral that supports many enzyme-controlled reactions.  It is required for the enzyme glysyltransferase, which is essential for the formation of collagen, GAGs, and proteoglycans, which are all components of articular cartilage.  A lack of manganese can lead to insufficient production of GAGs in the joints.
• What role do antioxidants play?  Antioxidants are substances that block or inhibit destructive oxidation reactions and protect against free radical damage.
• What is vitamin C (calcium ascorbate)?  Calcium ascorbate is the mineral calcium combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid).  This combination is well absorbed from the digestive tract.  Calcium ascorbate has been found to be very beneficial in connective tissue health.  As a mineral, calcium is vital for the formation of strong bones.  It is also needed to reduce muscle cramping and for muscular growth and contraction.

 All of the Glycoflex products we carry are available in chewable tablets and soft chews.  Each stage is a customized formulation.  Glycoflex can be used in conjuction with rimadyl, which is an anti-inflammatory medication often prescribed for limping/pain in joints.  Some patients are able to reduce or even stop the rimadyl medication and just continue with Glycoflex.    Whether your pet is experiencing joint pain, is a working/breeding pet, or just had an orthopedic procedure, glycoflex is a wonderful supplement.

It seems as though every time we turn around another area of the country is affected by deadly forces. Only weeks ago the Pearland area veterinary clinics had a fund-raising effort for the victims of the explosion in West, Texas. If you haven’t seen photos of what was donated, please check out our Flickr Page.

With the deadly storms of Moore, Oklahoma this past weekend, we have another group in desperate need of supplies.

The Pearland veterinary clinics have joined forces once again to raise supplies via donation. This time, we only have a limited time to get the supplies into one of the clinics listed below in order to get these supplies to Oklahoma. We have secured transportation for anything donated by noon, this Friday, May 24, 2013.

Everything is needed from pet food to gift cards, to bedding. Below is a specific list.

• PET ITEMS: Collars, Leashes, Bowls, Dog Food, Cat Food, Litter Boxes, Cat Litter, Dog Toys, Cat Toys, Dog Treats, Cat Treats, Kennels
• FIRST AID PRODUCTS: Band aids, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, anti-microbial ointment, Neosporin, Gauze, Tape, Respirators, etc
• BABY ITEMS: Diapers, Baby Wipes, Baby Shampoo, Baby Soap, Q-Tips, etc
• TOILETRY ITEMS: Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer, Bars of Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Combs, Brushes, Feminine Products, Sunscreen, etc.

• MISC ITEMS: Batteries, Flash Lights, Gallon Zip Lock Bags, Contractor Bags, Leather Palmed Work Gloves, Hand Towels

The only thing not needed is clothing as there are many organizations already on top of this effort for donations. We would like to encourage you not to contribute cash. If you would like to donate money, we ask that you do so in the form of a gift card. There are many stores in the Moore, Oklahoma area, but not a Costco. The city is in close proximity to Oklahoma City where there are many stores. Specifically, there is Walmart, Kohl’s, Target, JC Penney, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Hobby Lobby to name a few.

If you would like to donate supplies to these efforts, please do so no later than 12:00pm (noon), this Friday, May 24th at the following Pearland Area Veterinary Clinics.

• Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital – 2556 E. Broadway
• Pearland Pet Health Center – 10525 Hughes Ranch Road
• Pearland Animal Hospital – 1601 North Main Street
• Silverlake Veterinary Clinic – 10015 Broadway, Suite G
• Shadow Creek Veterinary Clinic – 11041 Shadow Creek Parkway, Suite 101
• Westside Veterinary Hospital – 6034 West Broadway

We hope you will consider donating to our neighbors to the North in Oklahoma, who have been devastated by these terrible storms.

Thank you in advance,

The Team at Claws & Paws

Dogs suffering from arthritis can show one or more of the following signs:

• Stiffness getting up or lying down
• Sluggishness or tiredness
• Low activity, changes in gait
• Reluctance to perform usual activities—walk, jump, run, climb stairs, or play
• Lag behind on walks
• Reluctance to extend rear legs
• Soreness/pain
• Muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass)
• Other personality or behavioral changes

Arthritis occurs in your dog’s joints.  A healthy joint consists of cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones in a joint.  The cartilage has no nerves; when it touches the cartilage of another bone, the dog feels no pain.  However, arthritis causes the cartilage to wear away.  This exposes the bone, which does have many nerves.  So when two bones touch each other, your dog feels pain.  This pain can greatly affect your dog’s quality of life.

Adequan is an injection given subcutaneously (under the skin) and can easily be done at home.  It helps to block progressive cartilage deterioration and loss, relieves pain and inflammation, improves lubrication of the joint, stimulates cartilage repair process, and diminishes joint and joint fluid damage.  Adequan is safe and generally well tolerated and unlikely to produce gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting or diarrhea.  Discuss with your Doctor if your dog has any liver or kidney issues.

Arthritis can be managed much more successfully when it is diagnosed and treated early in the process.