A UNIVERSITY vet from Wirral has developed a new food to help relieve the pain of a strain of arthritis suffered by dogs.

Professor John Innes, from the University's Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, has been working with colleagues at the University of Cardiff to create the specialist diet that can alleviate the discomfort caused by the canine osteoarthritis.

The disease mainly affects larger breeds of dog, such as Labradors, golden retrievers and German shepherds and if left untreated, the debilitating condition can cause severe pain and lameness.

Professor Innes and his team have collaborated with specialist pet diet manufacturer, Hills Pet Nutrition, to create a prescription diet containing high levels of the omega-3 fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Clinical trials of the new diet were conducted using dogs with OA, which resulted in reduced lameness in participants.

Professor Innes, from Oxton, said: "The diet has proven benefits in relieving the suffering of dogs with OA.

"Our research has shown how this diet can slow down progression of the disease by reducing the production and activity of one of the main enzymes involved in breaking down cartilage that lines the joint surface but is eroded away in arthritis."