Thursday, September 6, 2012

Ask A Knowledgeable Person About Pet Arthritis Treatments

By Christina Potter


Arthritis attacks animals just as the various types of it attack human beings. It is not particular, but will cause harm to the joints at any stage of life in both species. One of the old pet arthritis treatments was simply to euthanase the animal, but now it is possible for an animal sufferer to live a reasonably comfortable life, if appropriate treatments are given early enough.

There is no one reason for the disease in animals. It may be the breed which is prone to it. The animal may be a large one, such as an Irish wolfhound, or there may have been some small injury which went unnoticed as a pup or a kitten.

Something that happened and went unnoticed in a young animal's life has also been touted as a reason. Falls, catching the paw in something, the joint being stretched by thoughtless pulling; all of these can also contribute to the disease.

Any soreness in any of the pet's limbs should be investigated by the appropriate people. An x-ray may show more of a division in the joint than should be there. Cats, because of their flexibility, do not usually suffer as much trauma to joints by being dropped as dogs, but they can have injury inflicted if dropped from great heights.

Slow gentle exercise, warmth to the area and various drugs are prescribed for animals that suffer arthritis. With severe cases, injections similar to ones given to humans are given, especially if the animal is only young, and has a good quality of life left to it.

Depending on the severity of the disease will depend on the treatment. Water is very good for aiding a dog's movements as it takes the weight off the affected joints and allows freer movement. There are other ways to treat cats as they dislike water intensely as a breed. Newer treatments include laser therapy to the affected joint for both dogs and cats. This stimulates blood to the area and relieves pain.

It is not at all wise to consider Aspirin as part of the pet arthritis treatments. Dogs, and cats especially, die horrible deaths from the ingestion of this medication and it will lead to far worse complications should they survive its use. Take the animal to the nearest vet for correct diagnosis and follow the instructions to give the animal pain relief and comfort.




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