| Arthritis occurs when the joint surfaces which are | | | | diseases of large, fast-growing dogs. Arthritis, |
| supposed to glide over each other become rough as | | | | however, does occur in small dogs and cats as well. |
| they rub together. The joint cartilage, which aids | | | | In the US, an estimate of 20% of cats suffer from |
| smooth movement of the joint, decreases it's | | | | arthritis.Pets can't discuss their pains outright. So how |
| lubrication and deteriorates, thus making movement | | | | do we know our pet is a victim of this joint disease? |
| more difficult and often painful. Pets are just as | | | | Some signs that you should be mindful of are the |
| susceptible to arthritis as humans.Have you noticed | | | | following: change of personality, being inactive at play, |
| your pet moving at a slower pace? Does your dog | | | | lagging behind on walks, reluctance to jump or climb |
| have trouble jumping about and running around? Does | | | | stairs, difficulty of rising from a resting position, |
| it take several small jumps rather than a single leap | | | | limping and yelping in pain when touched. If you |
| for your cat to reach the counter? If your pet is | | | | notice some of these signs, have your veterinarian |
| having difficulty in performing these routine | | | | diagnose the condition of your pet with an X-ray.If |
| movements and has reduced mobility, chances are he | | | | your pet is diagnosed with arthritis, don't panic! The |
| may be suffering from arthritis.Arthritis in pets, as in | | | | good news is, there are plenty of remedies to |
| humans, can greatly affect your pet's health and well | | | | alleviate the pain. An effective treatment duo to best |
| being. With the onset of this Degenerative Joint | | | | relieve arthritis pain includes pain medication and |
| Disease (DJD), your playful and active pet can quickly | | | | weight loss. Common pain medications are analgesic |
| turn listless and pain ridden. This disease usually | | | | and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They revive |
| affects larger breeds of dogs, like retrievers, but it | | | | the spirits of the pets by removing their pain, allowing |
| can also occur in cats. Approximately 30% of family | | | | pets to move easily and to exercise. Exercise, in turn, |
| pets suffer from arthritis. The stiffness, pain and | | | | corrects the alignment of the joints which lets them |
| swelling in a pet with arthritis is the same as what | | | | experience less pain. A veterinarian's prescription is |
| most human being would experience.The cause of | | | | necessary to determine the exact dosage for your |
| arthritis in pets is often different from that in people. | | | | pet. Some veterinarians recommend Omega 3 fatty |
| While arthritis commonly accompanies old age in | | | | acids to protect the heart, kidney and liver.Many |
| humans, dog and cat arthritis is often caused by | | | | veterinarians recommend using supplements that |
| direct injury to a joint. More old dogs and cats have | | | | protect the cartilage. Such supplement is termed as |
| arthritis than young ones, not because they are old, | | | | chondroprotective. It not only nourishes the cartilage |
| but because degeneration of the bones worsens | | | | but it also help pets with arthritis experience less pain. |
| over time. It occurs in large dogs more often than in | | | | The second part of the double treatment is weight |
| cats and small dogs since the animal's weight is | | | | loss. Pet owners should help control their pet's food |
| primarily stressed on the joints. Also, the common | | | | intake. Studies show that when overweight pets lose |
| causes of arthritis, such as hip and elbow dysplasia | | | | weight, their pain significantly decreases. |
| and other common bone problems, are usually | | | | |