• "A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue" -Author Unknown
  • "Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother willing to let him have one." - Anonymous
  • "Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill
  • A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same. - Elbert Hubbard
  • "A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away." -Bil Keane
  • "A meow massages the heart." - Stuart McMillan
  • "There is more to life than increasing speed." -Mahatma Ghandi
  • "Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it." - J. Petit Senn
  • "If your horse says no, you either asked the wrong question, or asked the question wrong." - Pat Parelli
  • "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill
  • "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras
  • "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle." - Winston Churchill
  • "Agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." - George Eliot
  • "To err is human - to forgive, canine."
  • "Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail." -Kinky Friedman
  • "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France
  • "I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." - Unknown
  • "Horses - if God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself." - Author unknown
  • "Are we really sure the purring is coming from the kitty and not from our very own hearts?" - Terri Guillemets
  • "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

Living with Arthritis

Signs of Arthritis

Animals can't readily communicate their pain to us in our language. We have to interpret their behavior and their response to pain.

  • avoid the activities that they used to enjoy
  • no longer jumping on furniture or into the car
  • harder time moving around or getting comfortable
  • trouble getting up from a lying position
  • may limp on one or more legs
  • may walk or run with an altered gait
  • resist movements that require full extension or flexion of their legs
  • upset when touched
  • quiet, less active or depressed
  • may have less of an appetite
  • may just seem grumpy

The signs of arthritis in our pets often creep up so slowly we may find it hard to spot them at first. We often contribute it to our pet "just getting older".  Maybe your dog takes longer to get going in the morning, or your cat just doesn't jump onto higher places like she used to.

Diagnosing Arthritis

The first step is to correctly diagnose your pet's condition. Finding out where the arthritis is located and how severe the problem is becomes the first step toward an appropriate treatment plan. This requires at least a physical examination and X-rays by your veterinarian. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, can affect any joint in the body-it is most common in weight bearing joints such as the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees and ankles. Arthritis can also affect their back/spine creating discomfort.

Who is Affected?

Middle-age to geriatric, large breed dogs are most commonly affected with osteoarthritis. It is most easily seen in large breed dogs because of the weight their frame carries, but cats and smaller dogs are often affected as well. In fact, almost all elderly dogs and cats suffer from degenerative joint disease to some degree.

What happens?

Over time, the cartilage that cushions joints wears down and the bones start rubbing against each other. As the condition progresses, the friction can wear down and damage the bones themselves.

Treating Osteoarthritis

Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, it can be well managed with appropriate medical treatment, environmental changes, diet and exercise.

Treatment for Arthritis

Options for treatment can depend on the severity of the arthritis and which joint(s) are involved.

1. Changing the environment can help an animal deal with their physical challenges easier.

  • Keep litter boxes, food and water dishes at a comfortable height and easily accessible on a non-slip surface.
  • Supply a padded surface to cushion your pet's joints while he sits or sleeps. Place the bedding in a warm, draft-free location.
  • Make slippery surfaces like wood or linoleum floors safer with non-skid runners.
  • Ramps can help animals make it up and down stairs or off the porch or car.

2. Exercise can go a long way toward making your pet more comfortable. Light activity can strengthen muscles, keep ligaments and tendons flexible, prevent obesity and helps blood circulate to stiff joints. Do not overdo with strenuous exercise or you can cause more damage to their joints.

3. Diet: Obesity makes arthritis hard to manage. It increases the stress on their joints and makes it harder for them to move.

4. Medical Treatments  are helpful to keep your pet comfortable in their golden years.shutterstock_46611250

  • NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include Aspirin, Etogesic or Deramaxx. They can reduce pain and inflammation in your pet's joints, allowing them to be more comfortable.
  • Adequan is a PSGAG that helps to increase joint fluid and repair cartilage in damaged joints. This method can be very effective for managing arthritis.
  • Integrative therapies such as acupuncture, Bicom and animal chiropractic can help reduce your pet's pain and help the body heal.
  • Nutritional supplements such as Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin sulfate etc. can help your pet's joints. There are many products available and the right one will vary with each individual pet's condition.

5. Surgery is an option for some cases of arthritis. The joint may be replaced or reconstructed to give more stability or to remove chipped or damaged bone.

Please consult with your veterinarian for the best option(s) for you pet's condition