Arthritis
Types
of Arthritis in Pets
Acute Traumatic Arthritis in pets generally manifests rapidly as a swelling
and lameness and is almost always a direct result of trauma to the joints. While
this type can never be directly avoided, it is one of the few types of arthritis
that may require immediate surgical intervention to prevent onset of permanent
osteoarthritis.
Auto
Immune Arthritis in pets is also known as rheumatoid arthritis. Your pet's
own immune system attacks the joints and typically affects several joints at once.
The synovial membranes generally will become inflamed and mobility will lessen.
The cause of auto immune arthritis is generally unknown. Degenerative
Joint Disease in pets is generally synonymous with osteoarthritis. Symptoms
include a destruction of parts of the joint, generally isolated to the cartilage.
Pets with this condition may also experience intermittent inflammation. This condition
is one of the most common types of arthritis in pets. Hip
Dysplasia in pets is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the hip joints
of your pet. This can sometimes result after an acture injury, but can also occur
due to normal wear and tear or infectious agents. This disease causes a number
of complications. A common misconception is that hip dysplasia is always an isolated
condition. This is not true, it is quite possible for hip dysplasia to spread
to other joints as the disease progresses. Hypertrophic
Arthritis in pets has to do with the development of bone spurs. The best analogy
to describe a bone spur would be walking on a tack all of the time, because the
joint is not smoothly moving along but instead is being poked by growths that
are very painful in both humans and animals. This generally occurs as a result
of trauma or osteoarthritis. Infectious
Arthritis in pets is characterized by lameness and sore joints. There is always
an underlying infectious element to this type of arthritis. This type of arthritis
generally occurs as a result of trauma and secondary infection to the joint. Antibiotics
should be used for this type of arthritis. Inflammatory
Arthritis in pets is one of the least common forms of arthritic conditions
in pets. Generally, osteoarthritic conditions occur much more frequently as they
progress over time. Except when infectious agents are present, the causes of most
inflamatory arthritis types is unknown. Knee
Stifle in pets means they have one or more torn ligaments around the "knee"
of the pet. This destabilizes the joint. In extreme cases, this may result in
dislocation. As the knee joint is constantly subjected to a great deal of continual
strain and pain in this area is generally incredibly debilitating. Kneecap
Dislocation in pets is usually caused by misshapen or malformed leg bones
results in a "loose" kneecap that can move or dislocate out of its natural
position. Knee stifle can also contribute to this condition. Osteoarthritis
in pets is a slowly progressing disease that occurs due to the breakdown and destruction
of your pet's cartilage. As it gets worse, the bones (now with far less cartilage
to provide shock absorption) begin to grind against one another causing pain,
reduced flexibility, inflammation, and a reduction in mobility. This is one of
the most common types of arthritis in pets and the type that glucosamine is most
suited for. Osteochondrosis
in pets is when the cartilage deteriorates and causes an osteoarthritic like condition.
Joint tissue becomes both painful and inflamed. It is speculated that there is
a genetic component to this disease but it nutrition may also be a contributing
factor. Shoulder
Degeneration in pets is a disease that has multiple causes. Because the shoulder
is more of a sliding joint rather than a ball and socket, it is less prone to
injury but it may still wear down over time. Infection or injury to the joint
may be contributing factors. This type of arthritis generally affects the gait
of the animal and slows them down. Rheumatoid
Arthritis in pets is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. This type
of arthritis results when the body attacks itself or an infectious agent and becomes
confused and attacks one or more joints in your pet's body. The cause of this
type of arthritis is generally unknown. Traumatic
Arthritis in pets is a catch all term for arthritis that has manifested as
a result of trauma to the joints. This kind of arthritis is generally acute and
is a direct result of some form of trauma. Osteoarthritis in the effected joints
commonly develops over time as a result of this condition.
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