Arthritis Cats and Dogs Blog:

In our busy lifestyles, we are lucky to have time to eat healthy and exercise regularly ourselves, so it is not surprising that our pets are lacking a good diet and exercise plan. As Americans are increasingly putting on the pounds, so are our pets. 

If your dog or cat suffers from Arthritis, they may also be suffering with depression. Often times, we attribute depression as a sign of the debilitating disease itself.

You have probably heard of Canine Hip Dysplasia, and perhaps your dog even suffers from the debilitating disease.

As our cats get older, we know that they will likely have to fight some sort of illness in their geriatric years. Many older cats develop a form of Osteoarthritis that can develop from the normal wear and tear they put their bodies through throughout their lives.

Most of us feed our pets’ processed pet food, whether it is from a bag or from a can. In fact 95% of pet owners in the United States rely on pet food manufactures to safely and properly provide our pets with their daily nutritional needs.

For all of us, growing old is inevitable and even if we try to slow down the aging process, we tend to notice the new grey hair that has sprouted up, the fine lines that will end in wrinkles, and perhaps a little bit more of a struggle getting up off the coach.

Lyme disease may mimic arthritis, and can even result in arthritis, if it is left untreated in your dog. Lyme disease is caused by ticks that have been infected with the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacterium. The name “Lyme” actually comes from the first diagnosed case in a human in the U.S. in Lyme, Conneticut in 1975.

A Luxating Patella is a common abnormality of the knee joint that may cause your dog to develop arthritis if left untreated. A Luxating Patella, or Patellar Luxation, is a condition that involves the dislocation of the knee cap, where it rotates to either the inside or the outside of the leg.

Veterinary Acupuncture has become increasingly popular for dogs and cats suffering from arthritis. Acupuncture has several forms, but the most common method for your pet is the traditional Chinese Acupuncture method, in which tiny needles are inserted just below the skin.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin have been shown in studies to be a recommended approach to assist in the fight against canine hip dysplasia. Many veterinarians advise pet owners to try a nutraceutical plan, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, before they move on to the more potentially dangerous (and overly prescribed) pharmaceutical drugs.

Veterinary Acupuncture has become increasingly popular for dogs and cats suffering from arthritis. Acupuncture has several forms, but the most common method for your pet is the traditional Chinese Acupuncture method, in which tiny needles are inserted just below the skin. Some individuals are skeptical of this holistic approach, but they should be aware that acupuncture is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a safe and cost-effective approach.

Hydrotherapy has become a common practice for people suffering from arthritis, however in recent years, veterinarians and trained professionals have been practicing this procedure on animals. Hydrotherapy was first introduced into the animal world to rehabilitate race horses and greyhound dogs.

Research has show that as many as 30% of cats over the age of eight may be suffering from arthritis. The two most common forms of feline arthritis are traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis.This may occur because of obesity, or from the wear and tear on the joints throughout your cat`s life.

Read about the most common mistake that dog owners make and how to minimize joint pain in dog with arthritis.