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Pet
Arthritis Approximately 25-30% of family pets suffer from osteoarthritis. The stiffness, pain and swelling in a pet with Arthritis is really no different than what you as a human being would experience. Arthritis in pets, as is humans, is a debiliating disease that greatly affects your pet's health and wellbeing. With the onset of Arthritis, also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), a happy, playful Fido or Fluffy can quickly turn listless and pain ridden
Types
of Pet Arthritis
If
you are not sure which condition your pet has, or wish to read
more information on the specific types, a full description can
be found here.
What's
really going on to cause this pain in your pet?
The physiological changes that occur in pets are virtually identical to that of the human body. Essentially, it is the "breakdown" of the (protective) cartilag that covers or protects the ends of bones at the joint. Primary Vs. Secondary Osteoarthritis. Since pets by their nature are very active, it follows that they are constantly subjecting themselves to trauma. Where trauma is the cause of the onset of one of many (osteoarthritis) conditions (as opposed to hereditary conditions), the course of the disease is extremely rapid. While a human may sustain a traumatic injury that does not develop into an arthritic condition for many years, quite the opposite is true with pets. Unlike humans, most of pet Arthritis develops almost immediately after trauma to their bodies. The onset can and is often within weeks of even a minor injury as opposed to years for a human. This is referred to as secondary arthritis compared to the more usual primary arthritis in humans. They can't discuss their pain Pet owners often ask if Glucosamine can be used as a preventive measure for pets. In other words, can it be used even though you do not have a diagnosis of OA from your veterinarian? As most of
you know, human beings take supplements as preventive measures
regularly. You can do the same for your pet. How
Do You Know?
Does
your pet show these signs?
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