Keeping your senior pet comfortable is essential to providing a good quaility of life, as well as continuing to enjoy daily acitivites with your pet.
Arthritis (osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease) is a common condition in older pets. It is rare for a dog or cat to cry or whine with arthritis pain. Instead, look for behavior changes and loss of muscle that indicate joint pain.
There are several treatments, that when used in combination, offer the most relief from arthritis pain. Some of these include weight loss, moderate exercise, joint supplements, adjustments in handling or in the enviroment, anti inflammatory pain medication, nerve growth factor blockers and low level narcotic pain medication. A veterinarian can advise each owner about the best and safest medications for their pet's situation.
Just like elderly patients in the nursing home, regular, daily pain control is needed. The goal is to provide the best care with the fewest side effects, to maintain muscle mass and joint mobility, to prevent pressure sores and house soiling and to maintian the interaction between pets and their families for as long as humanely possible.
Arthritis (osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease) is a common condition in older pets. It is rare for a dog or cat to cry or whine with arthritis pain. Instead, look for behavior changes and loss of muscle that indicate joint pain.
There are several treatments, that when used in combination, offer the most relief from arthritis pain. Some of these include weight loss, moderate exercise, joint supplements, adjustments in handling or in the enviroment, anti inflammatory pain medication, nerve growth factor blockers and low level narcotic pain medication. A veterinarian can advise each owner about the best and safest medications for their pet's situation.
Just like elderly patients in the nursing home, regular, daily pain control is needed. The goal is to provide the best care with the fewest side effects, to maintain muscle mass and joint mobility, to prevent pressure sores and house soiling and to maintian the interaction between pets and their families for as long as humanely possible.