Have you noticed your pet not being as enthusiastic about jumping and
leaping? Perhaps your dog doesn't get as excited about that game of fetch or
catch as he once did or perhaps your cat can't quite jump onto that warm
windowsill that has always been her favourite. These are all signs of arthritic
joints in older pets and chances are if these (or other) signs are present your
pet has a common condition known as degenerative joint disease; often referred
to as osteoarthritis.
Arthritic joints in pets may begin during the first half of life, with the
symptoms not becoming apparent until much later with the primary symptoms being
stiffness and lameness. It is not unusual for older pets with degenerative joint
disease to be very stiff early in the morning, only to improve as the day wears
on. Also, when the weather becomes cold and/or damp the condition tends to
worsen making such simple tasks as making it to the litter box on time or racing
to meet you when you get home from work a challenge. Next let's explore the
condition itself and try to find a few helpful solutions.
Degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis in pets. It is
often noticed in dogs, cats, and other pets around the age of 11 or so. As you
may know 12 cat years is equivalent to 59 human years. Generally speaking when a
pet is experiencing arthritic or painfully sore joints it is often a sign that
the cartilage that has so effectively protected the connecting joint bones from
rubbing together for years is starting to wear thin. As the cartilage
degeneration continues the underlying bone develops a roughened surface that
damages the joint. Pets whose joints have been subjected to overuse, severe
stress, dislocation, or fracture are the ones most likely to develop arthritic
joints at an early or premature age. Degenerative joint disease may be suspected
but your veterinarian will probably need to take an X-ray to confirm the
existence and severity of the disease.
Once the condition has been recognized it is important that swift action be
taken to prevent lameness and continued loss of joint mobility. There are no
magic solutions that will make severely arthritic joints in old pets disappear.
That said, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce the damage and make
your pets life more enjoyable.
* Provide a warm place for your pet to sleep and rest
* If your pet is overweight a diet plan should be formulated
* Moderate exercise may prove helpful in maintaining joint flexibility
* Consider hydrotherapy if possible
* Consider ways to make your pets life easier (stair steps, litter box
placement)
* Check with your veterinarian for new medications to treat pain and
inflammation Additionally, many pet owners are opting form naturalpet arthritis formulasto rebuild lost
cartilage and support joint health. These supplements have proven to be very
effective in most cases and are an option worth considering.
About the Author:
R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health
products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about
homeopathic natural health visit
Purchase Remedies.com
