Arthritis In Animals

Arthritis is a very common degenerative disorder affecting several million people all over the world. In almost every household, we can come across children or aged people complaining of joint pain, stiffness and difficulty in moving around. But do you think these ailments are restricted to us humans alone? Think again! Arthritis can affect our furry friends, especially cats and dogs too. While humans can at least voice out their distress, the poor animal cannot even communicate its pain to the owners nor can it heal on its own.

Animals suffering from arthritis require a lot of care and attention. Like humans, arthritis in animals causes swelling of joints, breakdown of cartilage and difficulty in movement. It can also lead of loss of appetite in animals, thereby causing weight loss. The most common form of arthritis observed in dogs and cats is osteoarthritis. This is usually a consequence of Traumatic arthritis which occurs at the advent of a joint injury. It can also be triggered by a condition called Hip Dysplasia which causes dislocation of the hip joint. Formation of osteophytes or bone spurs occurs with the onset of Hypertrophic arthritis, a variant of osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can also occur in dogs and cats which results in the immune system attacking its own joints and other body parts. Certain infections of the joints can also lead to arthritis.

Arthritis can affect animals of all ages, be it young or old. It is usually observed in animals aged 6 years and above. The owners must observe their pets very keenly for possible symptoms of the disease. The animals may exhibit sudden behavioral changes like lethargy, fatigue, sudden aggressiveness when fondled, difficulty in changing its position or getting up, loss of appetite and weight loss. The affected joints of the animals become swelled up, hot and red. These are clear indications that the animal is suffering from arthritis. Some breeds of dogs and cats, particularly large and purebreds are sort of predisposed to arthritis due to their genetic makeup.

There are certain medicines available for pain control which is safe for animals. NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like Rimadyl, Previcox and Deramaxx and analgesics like Tramadol are widely prescribed. However, the most effective way of curing arthritis in animals is by providing healthy, wholesome food and supplementing its diet with other vital nutrients. It is better to avoid artificial pet protein foods available in grocery stores and medical shops because it contains high levels of chemicals used as stabilizing agents, antioxidants, flavoring agents. Also the quality of protein used in manufacturing such protein foods is also subject to doubt. Such artificial foods must be substituted by natural meat, green leafy vegetables and dietary supplements. The dietary supplements include glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids have very beneficial effects on the overall health of animals as it helps in repairing joints, cartilage and also improves the vitality of the animals. Apart from improving their diet, owners can make the lives of their lovable pets a bit easier by providing them litter boxes near their resting places, offering them more fluffy pillows, using comfortable collars and leashes and grooming their pets more regularly. It is also important to keep them physically active by taking them for short walks, giving them herbal oil massages and lots of love and pampering!