Arthritis and Your Pet
Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in aging
dogs and cats. This article offers some treatment options
for easing the discomfort of your dogs or cats suffering
from arthritis.

Arthritis is an inclusive term for a number of degenerative
joint diseases. Pain, swelling and/or stiffness occur in
all of them.

In dogs, arthritis usually takes the form of hip dysplasia,
elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, joint degeneration or
dislocation of the knee. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear
and tear and is seen mostly in older dogs. Rheumatoid
arthritis is a disorder of the membrane surrounding the
joints and can occur at any age.

Cats suffer primarily from osteoarthritis. Although they
don’t often show it, arthritis occurs more often in cats
than previously believed. Cats will not show the same
symptoms as dogs, and are much less likely to exhibit signs
of pain. The most apparent symptom would be the
unwillingness or inability to jump as high as they used to.
The cat owner might also notice an overall reduction in
activity.

The good news is that the disease can be managed and
discomfort kept to a minimum. Nutrition is the core of any
treatment plan. A natural diet is essential. Supplements
such as vitamin C, alfalfa or kelp are helpful. Glucosamine
is commonly recommended. Glucosamine is a substance which
works to stimulate joint function and repair. It has been
proven effective for relief of osteoarthritis pain,
rehabilitation of cartilage, and repairing joints.

A key component of cartilage and a naturally occurring
compound, glucosamine can be used before symptoms begin to
protect the joints from aging. It is sometimes used in
conjunction with chondriton, another natural substance that
protects the joints, and or MSM, a form of sulfur that
helps reduce inflammation.

Homeopathic remedies, such as Rhus Tox or Pulsatilla may
work. There are many herbal anti-inflammatories; licorice
and black cohosh are but two possibilities. Yucca and
Devil’s Claw are commonly used for arthritis for
inflammation and pain.

A good adjunct to remedies or supplements is acupuncture.
It can be very helpful in easing pain and stiffness in many
arthritic conditions.

Other forms of physical therapy are becoming available for
dogs in many areas. Regular mild exercise also help to keep
the dog mobile, but don’t push – let your dog tell you how
much he can handle. Keeping the dog’s weight down will take
some of the stress off the joints, making movement easier
and less painful.

Digestive enzymes and probiotics may also ease the symptoms
of arthritis, though there is little research to bear this
out. Poor digestion can result in partially digested
proteins and other particles being reabsorbed into the
bloodstream. This can then result in immune dysfunction and
inflammation.

When all else fails, there are pharmaceutical
anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Two of the most
common ones are Rimadyl and Etogesic. These medicines can
have serious side effects and require careful monitoring of
the dog’s health. HDMI cables

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Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet
health questions through a large collection of articles.

http://www.pethealthresource.com