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How to Care for a Pet With Arthritis
Although most people are familiar with arthritis as a disease
that afflicts humans it is important to realize that arthritis can also affect
our pets. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. This can be a very painful
condition. Arthritis can occur as the result of injury or disease. It usually
worsens with age and can become debilitating. The weather can also aggravate
arthritis especially when it is cold or rainy outside.
Certain dog and cat breeds are more prone to arthritis than others. For example,
Persian cats are more likely to get arthritis than certain other breeds. Most
large dog breeds are prone to arthritis whereas smaller dog breeds are not. It
is also important to realize that there may be no noticeable symptoms of
arthritis until the condition has progressed. Although there is no cure for
arthritis it can be manageable with proper care.
It may be necessary to take extra steps to make your pet comfortable. Carrying
around extra weight can be especially difficult if your pet has arthritis.
Feeding your pet a low fat diet and making sure he gets a moderate amount of
exercise can help to lighten his load. Be sure to keep your pet warm. He should
have a warm place to sleep with the proper bedding to assure that he is
comfortable. Keep your pet indoors when it is cold, rainy or damp outside.
Simple tasks such as bending down to eat or climbing the stairs can be difficult
for a pet with arthritis. You may want to consider building a ramp to ease the
difficulty of climbing stairs or place a baby gate at the bottom of stairs to
prevent access to the stairway altogether. Raising your pet's food and water
bowls by placing them on a higher surface rather than the floor can prevent your
pet from having to bend down to eat. Small gestures such as these can help make
your pet more comfortable and prevent added wear and tear on his already painful
joints.
If your pet has any form of arthritis he will need to have veterinary care. Your
veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to ease joint pain. He
or she can also provide you with more suggestions for caring for your pet with
arthritis as well as answer any questions or concerns you may have about the
condition.
Written by Darlene Zagata
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