| Did you know that one out of five adult pets in the | | | | weight at what is normal for its breed is important, |
| United Statessuffer from one form or another of | | | | along with making certain your dog is getting all the |
| arthritis? | | | | proper nutrients its body requires. |
| We have approximately 80 million cats and dogs living | | | | Proper exercise: If your dog is predisposed to hip |
| in our homes and considering that number we have a | | | | dysplasia limit its exercise to long walks, swimming, and |
| great many suffering pets. Pets that have no real way | | | | very short runs. Do not put excess pressure on your |
| of letting us know that they hurt. | | | | dog's limbs. |
| This knowledge is actually "food for thought" when it | | | | The same is true with puppies, do not exercise your |
| comes to changes in behavior patterns of our senior | | | | young puppy by making it jump or do any exercise |
| pets. | | | | that puts stress on its young bones. If you do, the dog |
| Pain certainly causes our behavior to change in many | | | | may pay for it, as it grows older with DJD. |
| ways; we get grumpy, snarl, lash out at others and just | | | | Agility training should be done for short periods of time |
| plain complain. | | | | and with a warm up period before starting the |
| Our pets cannot talk, but some do actually change | | | | exercises. |
| their behavior and this is when "knowing your pet" is | | | | Diet: It may be hard to believe, but diet plays an |
| important. By knowing your pet, it is possible to tell if | | | | important part in a possible avoidance of arthritis, not |
| only by observation that something is amiss and a | | | | only in our pets, but for us also. A diet that is rich in the |
| possible trip to the vet is necessary. | | | | Omega 3 fatty acids plays an extremely important |
| What is arthritis? | | | | part in warding off some causes of arthritis. There are |
| Arthritis is joint inflammation and degeneration. It is a | | | | substances that all mammals (pets and people) need |
| general term for abnormal changes in a joint. | | | | to make their bodies function properly, that are not |
| Many things can cause arthritis such as; an infection | | | | manufactured by the body and the Omega 3 fatty |
| that can cause tissue destruction, congenital defects, | | | | acids are needed to carry out this job. So be certain |
| stress and trauma and even a lack of certain nutrients | | | | that your pet gets an ample supply either from the |
| in a pet's diet. | | | | food it eats or from a good supplement. |
| Some researchers feel it is a hereditary disposition, or | | | | Treatment: Before taking any steps in treating your |
| it can be attributed to aging, excessive weight and | | | | pet, always consult your animal care practitioner. Be |
| genetic abnormalities that produce the cartilage. | | | | wary of over the counter adult human treatments, as |
| Are there different types of arthritis?There are | | | | not all can be used on dogs. |
| several types of arthritis caused by different types of | | | | Cats can suffer from arthritis as well as dogs. Cats |
| situations: | | | | require special consideration as their physical makeup |
| Traumatic arthritis shows up as a swelling or lameness | | | | requires only certain types of medication. Do not give a |
| usually caused by an accident or fall and may require | | | | cat any aspirin or other types of over the counter |
| surgery, | | | | drugs. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is caused when your pet's immune | | | | There are nutritional supplements on the market made |
| system attacks the joint or joints. The cause of this is | | | | especially for cats and dogs that can be given on a |
| still unknown. | | | | daily basis that will help maintain a healthy joint system |
| Hypertrophic arthritis is caused by the formation of | | | | from young to senior cats and dogs. |
| bone spurs that grow causing the joints to not move | | | | It is said that liquid products are better than pills as the |
| smoothly. The joints feel like they are being poked by | | | | liquid gets into the blood stream faster to do its work. |
| something sharp. It is very painful to both dogs and | | | | That is fine if you can get your pet to cooperate and |
| humans. It is usually caused by a trauma to the joint or | | | | your pet is willing to take the dose without waste. For |
| joints. | | | | most of us pills seem to be easier, with the exception |
| Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is the most | | | | of cats - I find an eyedropper and liquid easier here. |
| common form of arthritis, which is the breakdown in | | | | Before doing any "self prescribed" medicating for your |
| the cartilage cushion in the joints. This can cause | | | | pet, always get the advice of your pet's vet or animal |
| intermittent pain for the pet. It is a slow progressive | | | | care practitioner. |
| disease. | | | | One of the first things to consider when your pet |
| Hip dysplasia is a form of osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia is | | | | starts showing signs of arthritis is to begin giving a |
| the abnormal development of the hips, which results in | | | | supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin. This |
| an increasing amount of looseness in the hip joint. Dogs | | | | supplement helps, by not only helping to reduce |
| can suffer from degenerative joint disease | | | | symptoms, but helps to rebuild the cartilage and |
| (osteoarthritis) that is not caused by hip dysplasia or | | | | restore fluid. There are many brands on the market, |
| they can suffer with it because they have hip | | | | find one that also has MSM in it. You may have to try |
| dysplasia. | | | | several before you find the right one for your pet. |
| These are just a few of the different forms of arthritis | | | | Some say eliminating grains from a dog's diet helps |
| that exist.What are some of the subtle symptoms to | | | | enough, that nothing more needs to be done. While |
| look for: | | | | others claim white potatoes, tomatoes, egg plant and |
| In smaller dogs, a whimper or growl when picked up or | | | | peppers aggravate an arthritic condition. |
| handled. | | | | There are many anti-inflammatory supplements on the |
| A lack of motivation to move. | | | | market with the omega 3 fish oils being a leading |
| Stiffness when walking, getting up or down. | | | | contender. Be certain not to use "liver oil," as that is |
| Avoiding getting up on the bed, couch, chair or climbing | | | | very high in vitamins A and D. If you decide to use the |
| stairs. | | | | fish oils be certain to also give your pet vitamin E as |
| Hiding or disappearing out of sight. | | | | the fish oils deplete vitamin E from the body. |
| Whining or crying for what appears to be no reason at | | | | Acupuncture and chiropractic treatments also work in |
| all. | | | | some cases with pets. |
| Changes in behavior patterns. | | | | Warmth is also an added plus, sleeping on concrete or |
| Sleeping more than usual. | | | | a cold floor will only add to your dog's misery. There |
| What are some of the contributing causes? | | | | are many insulated dog beds on the market and some |
| Overweight: One of the major causes of degenerative | | | | that can be heated. Just be certain the cords cannot |
| joint disease (DJD) is a dog being overweight. The | | | | be chewed. |
| excessive weight puts a great deal of stress on the | | | | Dogs with arthritis can live long and healthy lives with a |
| joints. This is especially true if your dog is predisposed | | | | little help from their friends and as a dog owner you |
| to hip dysplasia or has the problem. Keeping your dog's | | | | owe it to your pet to be as helpful as you can be. |