Our six-year-old dog has arthritis and our vet has suggested a long-term course of strong drugs. I loathe doing this and wonder if alternative therapies are the answer?

CAROL SMILLIE

Meg, our old family dog who died last year, suffered from arthritis for the last two years of her life. This is common in older dogs (she was 12) but your dog is only 6, which makes me think that you need a second opinion. It's important to establish that there are no underlying problems.

Once you know that it is arthritis I would suggest you go with a traditional approach at first. When Meg became ill we didn't like the idea of her being on drugs either, but the family felt that we should trust our vet's more experienced hands. He pointed out that, unlike alternative therapies, conventional drugs were proven to keep the pain at bay and that there were few side-effects to the treatment.

We gave Meg anti-inflammatories for the pain and stiffness. We found that if we didn't use them - for example, if we missed a couple of doses when we were away for a weekend - it was quite apparent that she was hurting. She would limp and slow up significantly. Meg also took chondroitin pills, a food supplement that is thought to reduce the pain of arthritis.

Do check out and try alternative therapies, as they work for many human beings with similar conditions and won't do any harm. I'd use them to top up your dog's treatment, but seek advice from your vet about which ones he would recommend.

TV presenter Carol Smillie lives in Glasgow with her husband and three children. She supports the University of Glasgow's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

EMMA MAGNUS

You are not alone in being unsure about the traditional approach; according to Direct Line Pet Insurance, more than 750,000 of the UK's dog owners have tried alternative or complementary treatments. You could seek a referral to a homoeopathic vet or contact one through the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (see box below left).

Acupuncture for dogs has gained acceptance and is used predominantly for chronic pain and arthritis, either on its own or as a complement to orthodox treatment. One of my local vets who offers canine acupuncture recommends weekly sessions at first, progressing to fortnightly if there is improvement. Each session costs £30, so it can get costly, but if your dog is going to respond, you'll usually see an improvement by the third week. If your pet is insured, you may find that alternative therapies are covered as part of your policy.

However, although I don't discount alternative therapies, my advice would be to use traditional and complementary medicine in tandem. Take heed of your vet's advice and make your decision about medication based on your dog's quality of life.

You can also help by keeping your dog's weight under control as any extra pounds will put strain on his or her joints, making them more painful.

Exercise is also important. Make sure that you walk your dog gently for short periods to loosen up the joints. Additionally, make sure that his or her bed is well cushioned and move it to somewhere that is warm.

Your vet may also suggest the use of food supplements, such as cod liver oil, glucosamine or chondroitin, which can reduce inflammation.

But remember that arthritis can't be fixed.Treatment regimens, therefore, are based on managing the problem and providing comfort for the dog. This should be your priority.

Emma has a masters degree in applied animal behaviour and animal welfare. She is the author of How to Have a Relaxed Rabbit (Pet Behaviour Centre, £3.50)

Have you any top tips for perfect pets? Send them to body&soul@thetimes.co.uk

WHAT YOU NEED

CHECK IT

British Association of Homoeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, bahvs.com

READ IT

The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat, Martin Goldstein (Ballantine Books, £7.32), alibris.co.uk

BUY IT

Optiflex Glucosamine HCl & Chondroitin Liquid, 600ml, £13.95, healthspan.co.uk . Easy to stir into pet food