| Around one fourth of all pet cats and dogs are | | | | may yelp or cry out when touched or moved in |
| affected in some way by arthritis. This condition can | | | | certain positions. Dog joint pain can cause some mild |
| affect both old and young animals alike. There are | | | | mannered animals to even become aggressive when |
| several different factors that lead to the | | | | touched or handled. You may also see that the pet |
| development of the arthritis in dogs and arthritis in | | | | has a painful time getting up from a resting position |
| cats. Injuries, infections, and joint disorders can all | | | | or searches for a softer location to lie down when |
| lead to this usually painful and even crippling condition. | | | | resting. These changes are typically much easier to |
| Because arthritis can be a very serious and even | | | | identify in younger animals that have higher activity |
| chronic disease, it is important to identify and treat it | | | | levels in the beginning. In older animals, it is possible |
| as quickly as possible. | | | | that aging is the main culprit of slower activity. |
| Pets cannot tell or describe their pains and symptoms | | | | However, it could be a combination of age with |
| to you. Therefore, you must be aware of any signs | | | | arthritis that is causing the slower movements and |
| or symptoms indicting that your animal is in agony | | | | pain in your pet. |
| from pain. There are several different indicators that | | | | Arthritis can also cause pets to lose their appetites |
| let pet owners know that their pet may be suffering | | | | and thus, lose weight. Some animals may even have |
| from some type of arthritic condition. One of the | | | | a fever and appear to be sick. Other animals will lick |
| most common signs of joint pain is the change in the | | | | at the aching joint as they lick at a skin wound in |
| activity level of the animal. If a cat or dog begins to | | | | attempt to heal or comfort it. You may notice that |
| move less or slower than normal, then there is a | | | | the area is swollen and hot to the touch from joint |
| very good possibility that the pet may be suffering | | | | inflammation. |
| from some form of arthritis. | | | | Anytime that you notice a change in your pet's |
| In some cases, pets will not only move slower but | | | | behavior, appetite, or ability to move, then a |
| they will refuse to move at all under certain | | | | veterinarian should be notified. The doctor will likely |
| conditions. For example, dog joint pain may lead the | | | | examine the animal, complete blood tests, and gain |
| animal to completely refuse to jump into or out of a | | | | x-rays of the pet's bones and joints. In some cases, |
| truck bed or another high place. Climbing stairs may | | | | a simple treatment such as pet medicine may solve |
| also be a challenging activity for arthritic animals. | | | | the problem. However, the sooner that arthritis is |
| Anytime that an animal stops carrying out actions | | | | identified, the quicker your pet can find relief from |
| that it once took is a red flag. | | | | the condition. |
| With extremely painful arthritis in dogs, the animal | | | | |