7 Signs of Arthritis in Pets
The most common type of arthritis in pets is Osteoarthritis. It involves the progressive deterioration of joint cartilage.
Pet parents should be aware of the signs of arthritis. The most common signs are of pet limping and difficulty moving.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis. The current treatments are focused on controlling or alleviating symptoms and slowing down its progression.
It’s important to speak with a holistic or integrative veterinarian to customize a multi-modal treatment protocol for your arthritic pet.
Symptoms of arthritis in pets can vary and include the following:
1. Limping
The number one sign of arthritis in pet is limping. When your pet stands up from sitting or laying down and they start favoring one or more limbs, it may be a sign he’s suffering from arthritis in the joints. The limp would not be that noticeable if he’s been walking around for a while.
2.Difficulty moving
What your pet once did with ease they can no longer do. They are showing inability or hesitance to do things they once did with ease.
For example, your dog may be hesitant to jump into or out of your car because he’s achy, or your kitty may try to jump up on a table or bed and not quite make it because painful joints have compromised her leaping ability.
3.Spinal issues
Arthritic joints also occur in certain areas of the spine, which can cause your pet to hold his head lower than normal due to a sore neck, or adopt sort of a hunchback posture. Lowered of the head and or difficulty turning the head, especially if the issue is in the neck.
Inability to properly use one or both back legs can also be a sign of arthritis in the spine.
4.Fatigue
Pets tend to tire more easily with arthritis than animals with healthy joints, because pain and movement issues drain energy. You may notice your pet is moving around less than normal and more time sleeping.
5.Irritability
If you notice your pet is being snappy, they may be in pain or discomfort. The discomfort or pain of arthritic joints can make even the most easy-going, friendly pet a bit snappish, especially if he’s being petted or handled in a way that increases his pain.
6.Muscle atrophy
If a pet with arthritis is left untreated it will suffer muscle atrophy, which is the dying off of muscle tissue from lack of use. If one or more of your pet’s legs appears thinner than the others, it means the muscles of that leg are wasting away.
Arthritis Treatment Recommendations
Physical therapy for arthritic pets and should be designed to maintain and increase joint strength, muscle tone and range of motion. This can be accomplished with therapeutic exercises, swimming and massage.
Keeping your pet lean, healthy weight is crucial in preventing or alleviating arthritis symptoms. An overweight dog or cat with arthritis can have noticeable improvement in symptoms after losing just a small amount of body weight.
Pets need to move their bodies more, not less, as they age. Although the intensity, duration and type of exercise will change, daily activity is still crucial to prevent profound musculoskeletal weakness with age.
Muscles maintain your pet’s frame, so preserving muscle tone will also slow the amount of joint laxity (which causes arthritis) as well.
Other crucial factors in maintaining the health of an arthritic pet include feeding a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet, and avoiding unnecessary re-vaccinations (titer test instead).
A clinical study suggests that 2 mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with Osteoarthritis.
Pain, stiffness, and mobility problems in pets that suffer from Osteoarthritis can make it difficult for them to live their best lives. If you want to help alleviate their discomfort without spending a fortune on expensive treatment, Duke’s Naturals CBD oil or treats may be the best option for you.
