| Arthritis is one of the most common ailments | | | | occurring compound, glucosamine can be used |
| seen in aging dogs and cats. This article | | | | before symptoms begin to protect the joints |
| offers some treatment options for easing the | | | | from aging. It is sometimes used in |
| discomfort of your dogs or cats suffering | | | | conjunction with chondriton, another natural |
| from arthritis. | | | | substance that protects the joints, and or |
| | | | MSM, a form of sulfur that helps reduce |
| Arthritis is an inclusive term for a number | | | | inflammation. |
| of degenerative joint diseases. Pain, | | | | |
| swelling and/or stiffness occur in all of | | | | Homeopathic remedies, such as Rhus Tox or |
| them. | | | | Pulsatilla may work. There are many herbal |
| | | | anti-inflammatories; licorice and black |
| In dogs, arthritis usually takes the form of | | | | cohosh are but two possibilities. Yucca and |
| hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, | | | | Devil's Claw are commonly used for arthritis |
| joint degeneration or dislocation of the | | | | for inflammation and pain. |
| knee. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and | | | | |
| tear and is seen mostly in older dogs. | | | | A good adjunct to remedies or supplements is |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the | | | | acupuncture. It can be very helpful in easing |
| membrane surrounding the joints and can occur | | | | pain and stiffness in many arthritic |
| at any age. | | | | conditions. |
| | | | |
| Osteoarthritis is the form most often seen in | | | | Other forms of physical therapy are becoming |
| cats. Although they don't often show it, | | | | available for dogs in many areas. Regular |
| arthritis occurs more often in cats than | | | | mild exercise also help to keep the dog |
| previously believed. Cats will not show the | | | | mobile, but don't push - let your dog tell |
| same symptoms as dogs, and are much less | | | | you how much he can handle. Keeping the dog's |
| likely to exhibit signs of pain. The most | | | | weight down will take some of the stress off |
| apparent symptom would be the unwillingness | | | | the joints, making movement easier and less |
| or inability to jump as high as they used to. | | | | painful. |
| You might see an overall reduction in | | | | |
| activity (but with cats, how can you tell?). | | | | Digestive enzymes and probiotics may also |
| | | | ease the symptoms of arthritis, though there |
| The good news is that the disease can be | | | | is little research to bear this out. Poor |
| managed and discomfort kept to a minimum. | | | | digestion can result in partially digested |
| Nutrition is the core of any treatment plan. | | | | proteins and other particles being reabsorbed |
| A natural diet is essential. Supplements such | | | | into the bloodstream. This can then result in |
| as vitamin C, alfalfa or kelp are helpful. | | | | immune dysfunction and inflammation. |
| Glucosamine is commonly recommended. | | | | |
| Glucosamine is a substance which works to | | | | When all else fails, there are pharmaceutical |
| stimulate joint function and repair. It has | | | | anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Two |
| been proven effective for relief of | | | | of the most common ones are Rimadyl and |
| osteoarthritis pain, rehabilitation of | | | | Etogesic. These medicines can have serious |
| cartilage, and repairing joints. | | | | side effects and require careful monitoring |
| | | | of the dog's health. |
| A key component of cartilage and a naturally | | | | |