Natural Pet Health

One of the most common ailments affecting pets as they age is arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints where tissue and cartilage in the joint breaks down or becomes damaged, causing swelling and discomfort. When this occurs, your pet’s quality of life often becomes compromised, with pain causing limitations on playful activities and distress even during daily routines.

Unfortunately, arthritis is a very common problem in purebred dogs. Due to selective breeding, some dogs end up developing severe arthritic conditions that often require major surgery to alleviate the pain.

Spotting Early Signs

One of the most common examples of this type of disease is Hip Dysplasia, which occurs in the joint socket where the leg meets the hip.

People often thought in the olden days that their dogs just became lazy as they advanced in age, little realizing that for the best friend of man, it was not laziness but painful joints that prevented them from much activity.

Today, the most common reason owners of older pets seek veterinary attention is not laziness but lameness. And a minor examination reveals arthritis, more specifically osteoarthritis affecting the canine friend.

Although the real cause of arthritis is not known, it may be a good idea to study the symptoms and then take appropriate steps. Of the two most common forms of arthritis, i.e. the Rheumatoid arthritis and the Osteoarthritis, the former disease condition is extremely rare while the latter tends to affect pets mostly.

Just like people, many dogs suffer from arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis. Unbelievably, up to thirty percent of family pets have arthritis. They experience pain, swelling and stiffness the same as humans do. Some people refer to it as degenerative joint disease and it has the ability to change your dog, from very playful and energetic, to pain ridden and listless.

Arthritis is the breakdown of protective cartilage, which covers and protects the bone joints. By nature, many dogs are extremely active and because of this, subject their joints to trauma. Unlike humans, when a dog injures itself, pet arthritic conditions often develop within weeks.