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