Arthritis
Arthritis
As your pet ages, it becomes increasingly likely that he or she will develop arthritis. That being said though, arthritis in pets is more commonly found in dogs than in cats. You might notice symptoms such as stiffness in your pet’s gait, difficulty rising after engaging in exercise or resting and limping on the side or leg that is affected. Other signs that your pet might be dealing with arthritis include a scaling back of his or her activity and an increase in irritability.
Professional Diagnosis is Necessary
Because some symptoms of arthritis can mimic other conditions, it’s best to have your pet thoroughly assessed by the compassionate team at Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic. Our caring technicians and vets use the latest in diagnostic equipment to rule out other possible causes of your pet’s discomfort.
Methods of Diagnosing Arthritis
When you bring your pet to Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic, our experienced and professional team will take a thorough health history. This will provide us with a timeline of your pet’s symptoms and how they relate to his or her activity level and temperament. In some cases, the vet will request x-rays of your pet’s legs in order to rule out other possible causes. It’s important to note though, that even if x-rays are ordered, changes caused by arthritis are not always evident.
What Our Clients Say
C. Mayfield
I have seen a lot of changes since I have been a client at Shackleford Veterinarian Clinic since 1996. The best change of all was when Dr. Barron started. You will not find a better veterinarian or staff!
Tiffany Williams
SRVC answered all of my questions and even allowed me to come back after my appointment to update and add information to my pet's health certificate. I would highly recommend this vet to anyone. They go above and beyond expectation.
Ashley Hurst
I will forever be thankful that Dr. Barron was recommended by my neighbor! My pets have been treated at several different veterinary clinics, but no one
has ever compared to Dr. Barron. The front desk staff and vet techs could not be kinder!
Treatment Options for Arthritis
At Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic, we use a variety of treatment options, such as pet arthritis medication, that are tailored to your pet and his or her unique condition. Pets that are overweight will face added challenges due to the strain that additional weight places on their joints and ligaments. The first method of treatment for these pets will be weight loss.
Other options for addressing the pain, stiffness and swelling associated with pet arthritis include medications such as:
- Support for cartilage and joint fluid in the form of glucosamine, chondroitin or Adequan
- NSAID pain relievers like Deramaxx, Rimadyl or Previcox
- Specialized dog foods that include increased amounts of fatty acids, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care
One thing that is important to remember is that you, as your pet’s owner, want to make him or her as comfortable as possible. Though you might be tempted to give your pet pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen that you have in your medicine cabinet, doing so can be toxic to them. Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic provides safe and effective treatment options for Little Rock pets so they stay happy and comfortable.
