Arthritis affects not only humans but also animals. Our pets can be vulnerable to this kind of joint disease and it is imperative that we recognize symptoms of arthritis so treatment can be administered as early as possible. So how is this disease manifested?
When your pet, be it a dog or a cat, appears to have difficulty walking, climbing up the stairs, and would rather stay in one place than go run and jump, it may have arthritis. Don’t immediately attribute this seeming lethargy to old age, for they may be suffering inside and might need urgent attention. Pay particular attention when your pet exhibit difficulty standing up, is limping, and becomes cross when touched.
There are several kinds of arthritis that can occur in pets. Traumatic arthritis can occur after an injury to one or more parts of your pet. This can develop over time and may be manifested in limping and changes in gait. Your pet may have difficulty catching up with you during walks and exhibit character changes.
The gait of your pet may also change when it has shoulder degeneration, caused by infection or injury. This will result in slowing down of movements and your previously gregarious pet may just prefer to sit or lie down most of the time.
Osteochondrosis is attributed to genetics as well as nutrition. This is a painful condition, so you may notice your dog whimpering or lethargy in your cat, and subsequent limping.
Osteoarthritis, like osteochondrosis, is a painful condition. The bone joints now grind against each other due to damage to the cartilage. When your pet has this condition, the joints are inflamed and are sore to touch. Your pet may limp, and exhibit inability to run or even walk. The pain also worsens as the day progresses, and may become unbearable at nighttime.
Infectious arthritis occurs when a previously injured joint becomes inflamed due to bacterial infection. You will observe reduction in the movements of your pets, and in time, this can cause lameness.
Hip dysplasia is an osteoarthritic condition affecting the hip joints. There is a remarked change in the gait of your pet, and may progress to limping. Lameness can also occur are the disease spread to other joints of the body.
One of the most common types of arthritis in pets is the degenerative joint disease. There is an inflammation to the joints that is painful to touch. Because of the pain, your pet may become grouchy and irritable. It may appear to get better for some time but this condition never completely goes away. Your pet may limp or whine in pain when inflammation resurges.
Autoimmune arthritis occurs when your pet’s auto immune system attacks the joints. Since this condition affects more than one joint at the same time, your pet may find it difficult to walk or even to stand for some time, and may just prefer to just lie in a corner.
Acute traumatic arthritis occurs immediately after an injury or trauma to a joint. The affected part will swell and be sore to touch. Your pet may become distinctly uncomfortable and may refuse even to sit or stand up.
Generally, arthritis in cats are exhibit in stiffness in joints, and your cat may have difficulty moving, especially after being in a lying position for some time, as in sleeping. Things to watch out for are reduced movement, limping, fever, decrease in appetite, inability to jump or climb stairs, and the lymph nodes are swollen. The fever, though can be alleviated, is recurring and does not go away over time.
Horses also developed arthritis, especially since they spent most of their lifetime standing up. As horses grow older, their joints become increasingly inflexible, and cartilages become damaged due to wear and tear. Symptoms start with puffiness and slight swelling of the joints, progressing to changes in gait and refusal to do running and jumping routines. Left unchecked, your horse may ultimately become lame.
Consulting a Vet for treatment for any these conditions is important and treatments range from pain medication to surgery. One of the most effective treatments by many is a simple, safe, and natural one in the form of glucosamine. Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine is easy to administer and contains synergistic ingredients to help with inflammation. Syn-flex for Pets has proven itself a leader in this field and the customer testimonials and recommendations by Veterinarians have been outstanding. Synflex uses a pharmaceutical quality glucosamine and is loaded with additional minerals and vitamins that go to the heart of the problem.
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