They serve as shock absorbers between bones and provide a low-friction surface that allows independent motion of adjacent bones. Painful arthritis can result from degeneration of the cartilage or inflammation of the soft connective tissue. Animals show evidence of this pain by limping or refusing to bear weight on the painful limb. Medical management allows many arthritic pets to live a relatively pain-free life. Once the inflammation is controlled, long-term medical management includes moderate exercise and weight control.
Moderate exercise helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength for joint support.
Weight control helps limit the burden the joints must support. Adherence to such a program can decrease pain and increase function in animals with arthritis. Only anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by your veterinarian should be used for your pet. Because of differences in metabolism, many anti-inflammatories available for human use can be dangerous to pets. Antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, superoxide dismutase, shark cartilage, and many others have been discussed and used by pet owners.