Many people wonder if their animals can have arthritis. People often think that their pets cannot get this, but that is untrue. Any animal can become subject to this type of crippling disease. Because animals have joints, like humans, they are susceptible to inflammation. Animal inflammation is somewhat like in humans, however some things are different. This article will briefly describe arthritis that animals encounter and its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
The cause of this disease is the same in animals as it is in humans. It is a disorder of the joints. When joints are irritated they become inflamed. Joints that are inflamed are extremely painful and can cause many disorders. Critters, like people, may encounter inflammation quickly or over a long period of time. It is a common disorder, however it cannot be treated.
The most common symptoms are trouble with walking or sitting. They take pain differently than people do; therefore they will not show the same symptoms. They cannot tell you they are in pain so they will have to show it through their actions. When critters limp or have trouble positioning themselves to lay down they may be experiencing pain. This also may be symptoms of broken bones or fractures, however this type of crippling disease should never be ruled out until checked.
In the majority of cases pets that are diagnosed with this disease are household critters. This is because people are most likely to take their little friends to the vet rather than a stray animal. On occasion critters that are in a pound are diagnosed with inflammation, but it is very rare. The treatment of an animal with arthritis can vary. Depending on their health conditions they may be given medicine. If they are unable to take the medicine for health reasons then diet and exercise are the next best solutions. When they are given proper food for this disease and good exercise their life expectancy goes up.
As of now there is no treatment for inflammation. It can be managed by medication but as previously stated that is not always an option. The best advice a veterinarian can give is that the critter receive as much love and nurturing as possible. Taking proper care is a must. They are very susceptible to environment and a healthy loving environment can give them the greatest life span possible.
When your little friend is experiencing this the most important thing is that they feel comfortable. All little ones can have this and they do not have to be just household pets; they can be wild or zoo critters also. They are just like humans and they can experience pain just like any mammal. This is a serious disorder and should be handled with care. They have a much higher pain tolerance than humans; however it can be extremely painful. Due to this great amount of pain the chances are your pet will be very uncomfortable. Hopefully this article explained the symptoms, causes, and treatments of arthritis, so that you can be the best owner of your pet.
