How to Help My Pet with Arthritis At Home?
Cats and Dogs Can Experience Discomfort From Arthritis As They Age. Here Are Some Ways to Help Ease Arthritis Pain in Pets At Home.
Arthritis, or inflammation of a joint, is a common condition amongst dogs and cats. As the cartilage in the joint becomes damaged and breaks down over time, the bones in the joint rub together causing pain and inflammation. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). OA occurs when there is inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints.
What Causes Arthritis in Dogs and Cats?
OA can be caused by several different underlying conditions, but for the most part, the actual cause is unknow. Some of the underlying conditions might include:
- Obesity
- Prior Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Injuries
- Dysplasia
- Prior Dislocation
How Can I Support My Dog or Cat’s Arthritis?
Balto USA bracing devices can be used to assist your dog or cat with conditions such as OA. The Balto Jump – Knee Brace can be used to help support the patella (or knee) while the Balto Hock – Hock Brace (Canine or Feline) can be used to support the tarsus (or hock). These braces work by supporting the joint using splints on the medial and lateral aspects of the joint while also providing compression. The splints used in these braces can be removed and the braces can act solely as compression braces. Compression and heat are known to increase circulation in the affected area. This helps diminish any pain and/or inflammation that they might be experiencing from OA.
Supplements, such as MYOS Canine and Feline Muscle Formula, can also be used alongside a bracing device to help improve your dog or cat’s quality of life. This supplement has been scientifically proven to help improve muscle mass and mobility in dogs and cats with OA. Fortetropin® works by inhibiting the enzyme, myostatin. Myostatin is responsible for inhibiting muscle growth. When dogs begin to lose muscle mass, it places much more mechanical strain on the joints which exacerbates the process of cartilage loss. Cartilage loss results in bone-on-bone contact leading OA. Therefore, strengthening the muscles places less strain on the joints.