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Cats can suffer from arthritis just as we humans do, and it mostly affects older cats. There might not be any cure (depending on the type of arthritis), but there are always treatments.

Most cats are naturally exceptionally nimble and athletic animals, but as you might expect their joints, ligaments and bones are susceptible to accidental damage, and to the wear and tear of everyday life.

On the other hand, giving thanks to their buoyancy, 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 their skeleton, cats do not suffer from as many orthopaedic troubles as they might if they didn’t have all of these great qualities.

Arthritis conditions in cats take place most generally as an end result of accidents.

Cats can suffer from different kinds of arthritis, which plainly means joint inflammation.

However, arthritis is much more compound than a simple inflammation, so this plain name is relatively confusing.

For example, check out the wide range of signs of arthritis in cats:

• Stiffness, Limping

• Favoring One Limb (especially after resting)

• Not Wanting to Climb Stairs or Jump

• Noticeable Pain, Different Gait than Usual

• Nervousness, Aggression, Depression

If you notice more than one of these symptoms in your cat, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Usually, as the owner, you notice these things right away and know that something isn’t quite right.

Alternatively check out these cat pain treatments here. Learn more

Causes

Many things can cause arthritis in cats. Main reasons are old age, trauma, infections, immune system disorders and even developmental disorders.

Cats most commonly suffer the following two forms of arthritis. One is traumatic arthritis and this may be caused by a sudden injury to a joint, such as following a vehicle accident, the consequence of a fight or play with another cat or animal, or because of an awkward fall.

The second is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is well thought-out by professionals to be the end result of a joint failure that can occur for nearly any reason. Cats’ shoulder and elbow joints are those most regularly pretentious in older cats. Common causes are repeated episodes of traumatic arthritis, and also joint dislocation or fractures involving joints that occurred in the past and made the joints more vulnerable to disproportionate wear and tear.

What to Expect During Your Trip to the Vet

Your vet will conduct a regular examination, and comments from you on your cat’s problems. Your vet might take some tests to rule out anything else such as blood tests, radiographs, ultrasound, etc.

Treatments

If your cat is diagnosed with arthritis, there are many treatments available. Some you can do at home such as gentle massage, weight control, exercise, and warmth. Some medications may be prescribed for your cat such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Corticosteroids, Vitamin C, and/or NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs).

There are numerous different kinds of joint diseases that your cat could have, too.

These include:

• Feline progressive polyarthritis (which affects more than one joint)

• Feline Dysplasia

• Bacterial Arthritis

• Oseoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)

• Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament

• Luxating Patella

• Hip Dysplasia

• Intervertabral Disc Disease

• Hyperparathyroidism

Although most forms of arthritis has no cure to rid your feline of the disease, there are plenty of  treatments available. Your cat can live out the rest of his or her life with less pain, more activity, and just being generally happier!

By: Jean Morgan -

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For more information on pet health visit Natures Healthy Pet

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A day’s work ends not at ‘quitting time.’ After a hard day’s work, one cannot just rush home and immediately sit back on the sofa with feet raised. After long hours of paper sorting, tedious analysis and hours more of report writing, the average worker cannot simply relax knowing that there are are still more things to done in the house. Eight hours at the office is followed by more domestic tasks such as cleaning the living room, washing the dishes, or doing the laundry. Being at home is just like doing another work shift, but this time, without the need to wear that tie or long-heeled pair of Prada.

There is, however, a great consolation to doing housework. Unlike being in the office, doing more work at home allows one to enjoy the benefits of being in the company of loved ones. As a bonus, a pet lover can also enjoy being with a congenial companion that helps one get over all the stress and anxiety at the office. Having a pet, like having a family, can be a real stress-buster.

Medical studies show that petting an animal can act as anxiety relief. Having a pet helps lower blood pressure and soothes the emotions after a hectic day. The company of pets gives a person a state of serenity and relaxation. Endorphins, the human hormone that kills pain, are easier released when a person enjoys the company of a pet animal. Other research clearly prove that petting a dog can help reduce stress and anxiety. The act of petting is not only comforting to the dog but for the owner as well.

Studies also say that dolphin vocalizations, or the sound being produced by these continental shelf dwellers, act as anxiety relief which can also lower blood pressures and induce calm thoughts. These specialized dolphin organs located below their blow-holes can treat mild depression, psychological problems, and developmental disabilities. These carnivorous mammals that actually feed on squid and fish are not your usual household pets. Still, they are used to conduct studies on animal-assisted therapy for human beings. Dolphin vocalizations are now being fused to classical music to produce mind-relaxing audio in CD and DVD forms.

Bird songs are also natural anxiety relief as those sounds bring incomparable sense of calm to the listener. Listening to the chirping birds can also relieve one’s mind from stress and anxiety. Psychiatrists and behavioral experts point out that petting such animals or listening to their natural sounds can be an effective way to promote emotional health and physical rejuvenation.

However, there are still some quarters that criticize the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy. They say that therapy using animals are not as effective as taking anxiety medications. They contend that ‘there is still no compelling scientific evidence that proves that animal-assisted therapy is a legitimate therapy or just an answer to a fleeting mood.’

Science may not yet hold concrete proof of the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. But it is important to know that millions have already benefited emotionally and physically by having a pet as a companion. Still, no matter how tedious and tiring your office day was, having a relaxed moment with your family and pets should be considered as an alternative ‘therapeutic’ method to promote one’s health.

By: aseya

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More information is available by following the links below

Nurse.com – Centegra Employees Change Illinois’ Animal-Assisted

Six years ago, she and a group of colleagues at Centegra Health System in McHenry, Ill., wanted to improve the hospital’s animal-assisted therapy program. At that time, the program consisted of one therapy dog

What is animal assisted therapy?

You will see many different terms and groups that will help people find the pet assisted therapy that they need. The most commonly used term is dog therapy.

Tito’s Wisdom

Pet Therapy Calms the Heart. The Healing Power of Pets . Pet Therapy. The Human-Animal Bond . How Pets Help Us. Animal Assisted Therapy. How to Erase Negative Influence

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Dogs are among the top three pets that people love. They become part of our family and they bond with us much like people do and they give us their love, trust and loyalty unconditionally. For this, dogs live an exemplary life as trusted companions and beloved family members.

An ailing pet is a heartbreaking sight. Usually, most dogs succumb to arthritis in their older days. Arthritis in dogs is common and painful. Many pet owners wish they could alleviate the pain of their dogs and offer comfortable remedies for the dogs. Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint where there is pain and discomfort even when it is not moved. Eventually, the joint will become atrophied and cannot be utilized by the animal anymore.

Alleviate dog arthritis pain

There are many kinds of arthritis in dogs and these include osteoarthritis, idiopathic, infective and immune mediated. These are all painful arthritis in dogs and the most common of the four is osteoarthritis. This is a disease in the joints where degeneration of the cartilage is followed by some new bone formation. This formation of new bone is the sign of arthritis in dogs.

Causes of Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis in dogs is usually caused by a traumatic injury to the joint which causes the bone formation resulting in arthritis. Obesity is also one cause of arthritis in dogs because the irregular weight adds to the concussive forces or pressure to the joint. Weak joints as a result of many joint diseases can also contribute to arthritis in dogs. For puppies and young dogs, arthritis can be caused by the malformation or wrong development of their bones.

Natural Remedies and  Treatments for Arthritis in Dogs

Increased daily doses of sodium ascorbate (vitamin C) can help maintain and prevent further joint deterioration. Rhus Toxicodendron can also help alleviate arthritis in dogs by easing the pains and aches. Glucosamine can also be added to their supplement as this is what humans take to help their condition. Ask a vet for the proper dosage of the supplement before giving it to your dog. Extra Virgin coconut oil is also one natural remedy that you might like to try out for arthritis in dogs. Start out with lower dosages since the dog’s system might have to adjust to the oil but many claim that this works for dogs as well as in people also.

We want to take care of our dogs and we always want the best for them. Make sure that your vet is aware of the dog nutritional supplements and cures that you are giving your dog. Just remember that a balance of diet and exercise is of most value when dealing with arthritis in dogs.

By: Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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More on dog health, herbs for dogs and supplements can be found below

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