Clinical study

Summary of Quality of Life Variations in Older Dogs After Supplementation with Jointly365 Advanced

Introduction

It is a common observation that as dogs progress from middle to old age, they decrease their levels of activity to some degree. This may be for several reasons, including the numerous undiagnosed factors involved in the process of aging. Several studies have previously been undertaken looking at the potential benefits of nutraceutical supplements. Joint supplements in general, and Omega 3 supplements specifically, are commonplace in the consumer and veterinary markets. Studies of their use demonstrate mixed responses on the mobility of aging dogs [1], though several studies have found benefits associated with the use of green lipped mussel [1,2,3]. In general, these investigations have been carried out on dogs and cats using complex accelerometers, pressure plate analysis, or biochemical markers.

These investigations are cumbersome and have limited practical application, especially in the broader population of older dogs who have not been diagnosed with any specific condition, yet whose owners choose to utilise supplementation. Recently, a validated online instrument has been developed that allows owners to monitor the health-related quality of life (QOL) in their dogs [4], so more easily allowing quantification of the benefits of supplementation. The aim of this investigation was to use the validated online instrument to quantify the benefit in older dogs taking Jointly365 Advanced, a marine Omega 3- based nutraceutical supplement, as defined through the 4 domains measured by the instrument, namely: energetic and enthusiastic, active and comfortable, happy and content, calm and relaxed.

Materials and Methods

Design: A convenience sample of owners who wished to give their greater than 7 year old dog the Omega 3 based nutraceutical supplement called Jointly365 Advanced, were requested to complete the web-based survey prior to administering the supplement. Those dogs that scored lower than the threshold level at day 0 for the category ‘active and comfortable’ were placed into the investigation. The threshold level was set by its developers such that 70% of normal dogs will score on or above this level.

The owners of selected dogs were then requested to repeat the survey 3, 4, and 5 weeks after starting supplementation. The oral supplement was administered daily according to conventional rates for Omega 3 supplements, with double the standard daily recommendation for 4 weeks, followed by the standard daily rate.

Results

On average, after 4 weeks of daily supplementation with Jointly365 Advanced, there was a statistically significant response in all four of the quality of life variables measured, increasing for 3 variables when measured at 5 weeks (in brackets):

• Active and comfortable p = 0.011 (0.007)

• Energetic and enthusiastic p = 0.014 (0.007)

• Happy and content p = 0.016 (0.010)

• Calm and relaxed p = 0.030

Table 1

‘Calm and Relaxed’ was a variable that was measured but not one considered directly relevant to Jointly365. After 4 weeks P=0.03, and after 5 it became non-significant. 11 dogs completed the study to 28days, 10 to 35 days

Discussion

The results of this investigation, using a validated and published, ownercompleted, web-based survey, demonstrated a statistically significant change to all 4 quality of life domain scores (as defined within the online instrument) in general, by +8.4 points after using the supplement for 4 weeks. This finding corroborates with several other studies that looked at the mobility of older dogs supplemented with marine sourced Omega 3s [1,2,3]. It was hypothesised that sub-clinical factors affecting older dogs’ behavioural wellbeing, such as their levels of contentment, energy and calmness, were improved consequent to supplementation for 4 weeks.

Conclusion

The unique blend of ingredients in Jointly365 Advanced has demonstrated a statistically significant response in the active and comfortable variable, accompanied by a strong statistically significant change in the mental wellbeing of the dogs.

References

1. Eason, C.T.; Adams, S.L.; et al. Greenshell™ Mussels: A Review of Veterinary Trials and Future Research Directions. Veterinary Sciences 2018, 5, 36; doi:10.3390/ vetsci5020036.

2. Bui L.M., Bierer T.L. (2001). Influence of Green-Lipped Mussels (Perna canaliculus) in alleviating signs of arthritis in dogs. Veterinary Ther. Spring 2 (2): 101-111

3. Pollard B, Guilford W.G. et al. Clinical efficacy and tolerance of an extract of green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) in dogs presumptively diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. N Z Vet J. 2006 jun;54(3):114-8.

4. Davies, V.; Reid, J.;Wiseman-Orr, L.; Scott, E.M. Optimising outputs from a validated online instrument to measure health-related quality of life in dogs. PLoS ONE 14(9); e0221869