Arthritis and Your Pets

Yes indeed, your four legged friend certainly can suffer with arthritic complaints just like you.  Of course they can't tell you about it, so you have to be vigilant and be aware of signs that would indicate your beloved pet may have arthritis.

As with humans there are many forms of arthritis that occur in animals.  A few Canine Arthritis conditions include, Osteoarthritis, Infected and Immune-mediated Arthritis.  Quite often the cause is not known and this is known as Idiopathic. 

Feline Arthritis includes Osteoarthritis and Progressive Polyarthritis.  The latter affects multiple joints in your cat.   There are two types of Progressive Polyarthritis, the first occurs when the cartilage erodes from the bones making up the joint and bony spurs and bone thickening occur in bones adjacent to the joint. 

The second form is similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis in dogs and humans.  The erosion of the cartilage is severe, so much so that the bone under the cartilage is exposed, causing severe pain.

Osteoarthritis is the most common and as with the human form is the degeneration of the joints.  If your dog displays signs of lameness in one or more limbs and isn't as keen to go for that daily walk or romp in the park have him/her checked by your local Veterinarian.  You may notice that your dog appears quite stiff in the morning and improves as the day goes on.  The painful joint could also be swollen.

What you can do if your Pet suffers with Arthritis

I'm a great believer in "prevention being better than cure" for myself and I continue this on with my furry friends.  My feline friend of 11 years receives a good diet of raw meat, fish and joint food supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin and msm).

Missy, my beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, also has a good diet of raw meat and vegetables.  She is not quite three and has a "clicky knee" and is inclined to have some hip problems.  To assist with her condition and hopefully avoid serious arthritic pain in later years, she receives a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement together with a concoction of vitamins and minerals.

Flexi Pet "Similar to humans, pets climb stairs, jump onto couches, and climb into beds. As common as it is for humans to suffer from joint problems, similarly cats and dogs also face numerous joint health concerns. Some of the common concerns can include fractures, hip dysplasia, cracking joints, limb weaknesses, limping, growth abnormality, injuries, degenerative diseases, spondylosis, arthritis, ligament tear or disorder, and many more. For creatures who are born to run, any of these conditions can be a real suffering, both for the animal as well as the guardian. Joint care supplementation is one way of ensuring optimum care for these pets joint health. The exclusive combination of pain relievers, MSM, Sea Cucumber, and CMO plus the restorative Glucosamine Sulfate help to encourage comfort and renewed Joint health in your pet. You can help your pet get pain relief and repair current damage to cartilage with an all-natural supplement that adheres to only the highest grade of quality" .. Get Flexi Pet For Your Pet

Don't overlook the importance of maintaining your pet's weight.  Their weight management is entirely up to you, they can't open the refrigerator (normally) or the cookie jar, a good healthy diet is just as important for your pet's good health as for your own.

If you are like most pet lovers, you probably take better care of your pet than you do yourself!  I know I do.

Discuss any problems or concerns with your local vet, there are many treatments and medications to help your pet and ensure they do not suffer undue pain.  In addition there are also many types of devices to make your pet more comfortable, such as beds, raised feeders and nice warm coats etc.

Most of all, ensure your pets are warm in the winter and give them lots of hugs and love.

Alternate and  Natural Arthritis Pet Therapies

As people are taking more control over their health problems and treatment by turning to more holistic methods, so too can we look for answers to our pets health treatment in the same way. 

Many veterinarian practices include such treatments as chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure and homeopathy.  Animals have turned to vegetation in the wild to obtain cures for what ails them, so why not include herbal type medicines for our domestic animals. 

Have you ever noticed your dog and cat eating grass?  There is no nutritional value in grass for dogs and cats, it is widely accepted that they may need it to settle an "upset tummy" or in the case of cats to assist with passing a fur ball.  Regardless of why, they know when they need it.  As long as the grass they eat is "safe" and is not eaten in huge quantities I cannot see any harm in this fetish. 

Of course if you are unsure about any of your pet's traits consult with your vet.