Greetings,
Welcome to this month's issue of The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. Please pass this along to your friends!
Table of Contents:
- Featured Articles from The Pet Arthritis Resource Center
- Injuries and Osteoarthritis
- Pet Arthritis Message Boards
Featured Pet Arthritis Content
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Injuries and Osteoarthritis
By J.R. Rogers
Whether you are dealing with an arthritic pet or one that may be developing arthritis, the nature of animals is to romp and play. And the inevitable consequence is that they are going to strain and sprain muscles, as well as tendons. Usually, you are going to see some perceptible tenderness just by the way a pet will suddenly "favor" some part of their body. The smart pet owner will take steps to minimize the damage even before seeing a vet.
Getting your pet healthy more quickly
The good old RICE principle
Some of you may remember this from school days or a special course you have taken at the YMCA (or YWCA). It's the old familiar RICE principle.
For sprains or strains of the muscles (in both humans and pets) you should take four simple steps.
- Rest
- Ice
- Compress
- Elevate.
The First Stage in the Healing Process
Getting your pet to rest is usually not too difficult when they know they are hurting. It is important that you try to encourage Fido or Fluffy to do this until the inflammation has gone down.
The Second Stage in the Healing Process
When these muscles or tendons are hurt, the ice should come out immediately to address the inflammation and/or swelling. Stay with that for several days. And whatever you do, do not lay ice directly on the site of the injury! Cover the area with a towel and then apply the ice. Do this three times a day for about twenty minutes.
The Third Stage in the Healing Process
As the affected areas begins to heal, usually within the first week, you should wrap the injured part of your pet's body with an Ace bandage to keep inflammation under control; not too tightly or you are going to cause even greater harm than good, since you run the risk of slowing down circulation. As a general rule, you should wrap just tightly enough that you can slide your fingers under the bandage.
The Final Stage in the Healing Process
This is probably the trickiest part of getting these kinds of injuries under control. Some pets will let you place their injured (limbs) on a pillow and others will not. If you have the ability to "influence" you pet one way or the other, opt for the pillow. If you do not, leave it up to your pet. To get an injured pet to "elevate" an injured area of their body has definite benefits so if you can do it, you should.
What have you accomplished?
You may recall that in an earlier Pet Arthritis Chronicle we talked about the consequences of injuries in a pet versus a human being. While a human may sustain an injury that turns into OA five or six years later, the process is much faster in pets. In fact, an injury to muscles and tendons can cause an onset of OA within a matter of six weeks.
Watch for signs and symptoms and use the RICE principle. Follow the steps that have been outlined here and you will have a much happier, healthier Fido or Fluffy.
See you next time.
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Pet Arthritis Message Boards
A feature to our Pet Arthritis Resource Center is the Pet Arthritis Message Board. You can post messages, ask questions, learn more, and meet friends. You can post messages in any of the following sections.
Dogs
- Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Arthritis in Dogs
- Glucosamine for Dogs
Cats
- Feline Hip Dysplasia
- Glucosamine for Cats
- Arthritis in Cats
Other Animals
- Arthritis in Other Animals
Here's a few sample posts from the Forum...
J.B.Beard
Posted on 17 Sep 2002 at 19:40
My 4 year old Boxer, Clia, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia two weeks ago. Last year, she had TPLO to repair a torn ACL and the prospects of more surgery were worrisome. I belong to a boxer board and I asked for advice and one women told me that Syn Flex had turned her 12 year old dog into a puppy in about six weeks! I read all the testimonials, both for humans (I have osteo-arthritis) and for dogs, and if they are only half true, then Syn Flex is a wonder drug. Clia has been on it for only six days, so we haven't noticed any remarkable change, but she is limping less often.
Renee
Posted on 08 Oct 2002 at 05:08
Over the past few months, my poor dog Shebas hind legs seemed to have gotten worse with arthritis...
Just last week, her one hind leg started swelling. The vet took a look at her and said she was very concerned and that it probably wasnt from the arthritis...
So, we are trying Prednisone on her. Im hoping this helps.
At any rate... my question is.. can arthritis cause swelling?
Have any of your dogs had swelling?
Post your own message on The Pet Arthritis Message Board now!
This concludes the October Issue of The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. Look for the next issue in your inbox on November 15th, 2002!
Please forward to any friends that have pets with arthritis and who would be interested.
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Have a great October from The Pet Arthritis Resource Center and The Pet Arthritis Chronicle. See you next month!
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