Arthritic pets: natural solutions to painful problems

As our pets age, they often experience the aches and pains associated with the degenerative joint disease, arthritis. Arthritis affects various joints--shoulder, knees, hips and wrists-and is generally divided into two types: degenerative (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory (rheumatoid).

What Is It?

Degenerative arthritis results from the destruction of the cartilage that protects the bones that make up the joints. This can be the result of normal stress on joints caused by jumping over obstacles, strenuous exercise or injuries from a fall.

Inflammatory arthritis is caused by an infection or by underlying immune diseases. The body attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and subsequent damage. Symptoms include fever, lack of appetite and overall stiffness.

Cats, because of their lightness, sense of balance, ability to land on their feet and built-in shock absorbers (their forelegs are not connected by bone to the rest of the skeleton), do not suffer from as many orthopedic problems as they might otherwise. So arthritic conditions in cats occur most commonly as a result of accidents.

Two types of this disease are described in cats. Traumatic arthritis may occur as a result of a eat tight, an impact with a moving vehicle or a fall. Osteoarthritis in cats can result from past joint dislocations or fractures that made the joints more susceptible to excessive wear and tear. Joint failure usually occurs in the shoulder and elbow.

Symptoms

Pet owners usually notice that with the onset of arthritis, their pets begin running and walking more slowly. Climbing stairs and jumping appear painful. Pets will have difficulty rising from resting positions, lf you notice any of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian because similar symptoms can be caused by a variety of problems including fractures, sprains and strains.

X-rays are usually required to confirm the presence of arthritis and to identify the underlying causes for the condition. And, according to the Pet Arthritis Resource Center (www.arthritis-cats-dogs.com), "analysis of the joint fluid to determine the type(s) and number of cells can also be helpful in classifying the type of arthritis."

Ounce of Prevention

There are steps you can take to relieve many of a pet's arthritic symptoms, but the best advice is to use preventative measures when pets are young.

"Avoiding commercial foods and feeding a natural, wholesome diet is the best and only real preventative," writes Richard Pitcaim, DVM, in his book Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. Pitcairn also recommends vitamin C, which can minimize or prevent the debilitating effects of arthritis. The recommended dosage of vitamin C depends on the size and age of the animal.

"For instance, a small puppy would receive 250 milligrams, a large puppy 500 milligrams." As a pet matures, the dose can be increased. Prevention is very important in arthritic conditions because once fire joints are distorted, the damage has been done.

Natural Relief

Should you happen to be the owner of a pet that has developed early symptoms of this disease, here are a few suggestions that can provide your pet with relief.

1. If your pet is overweight, consult a holistic veterinarian regarding a weight-loss diet. A dog or cat that is overweight is far more prone to arthritic problems than a fit canine or feline.

2. Joe Bodewes, DVM, and Holly Frisby, DVM, from the Pet Education Center advise against exercising an arthritic pet strenuously. Instead, take your dog swimming, which will increase muscle strength yet be easier on the joints. "Try to maintain a daily routine of exercise rather than just exercising on weekends," they say. Walking is also an excellent form of exercise for yon as well as your pet. And yon should encourage your cat to play with toys or other feline companions.

3. The doctors also suggest keeping yore pet's joints warm during cold, damp weather. Put a sweater on your pets when you let them out for some fresh air. Keep the house a little warmer. Personally, when one of, my dogs had arthritis, I put a heating pad, turned on low, under the blanket in his bed at night. It worked wonders, and he didn't have trouble walking in the mornings. I did the same thing for my old cat when--at the age of 28--his back legs were very stiff in the mornings. The heat seemed to alleviate these symptoms.

4. Glucosamine, derived from shell crustaceans, and chondroitin, derived from tracheal rings of slaughtered cattle, have, according to Wendell Belfield, DVM, "eliminated, to some extent, the administration of steroids, which have multiple side effects."

5. John Heinerman, PhD, author of Natural Pet Cures: Dog & Cat Care the Natural Way, suggests giving your pets "mineral-rich anti-inflammatories like alfalfa and yucca. Add them in powdered form to food once a day (1/4 teaspoon each for cats, 1/2--1 teaspoon for dogs)." This is used to reduce the swelling of arthritis.