There are several osteoarthritis causes for pets. The same factors that contribute to arthritis in humans also affect dogs as they age. Arthritis can be triggered by stresses from the environment, the body's metabolism, injury, genetics and disease. Once these stresses compromise the body's ability to repair and restore vital tissues, degenerative joint disease can occur.

Osteoarthritis Causes For Pets And Available Treatments

Arthritis occurs as a result of cartilage breakdown. In order for a dog's body to produce adequate amounts of this tissue, it must be able to provide the building blocks. Destructive enzymes, free radicals and environmental toxins attack an aging dog's body, destroying the cells that create healthy new cartilage. A compromised immune system cannot effectively fight these invaders. Cells lose their ability to function, and tissue that is lost naturally is not replaced.

Treatments for this problem vary, depending on several factors. Pet owners can choose drugs to alleviate the pain. There are options in steroidal and non-steroidal painkillers, all designed to reduce inflammation in the joints. Nutraceuticals are another possibility for eliminating the osteoarthritis causes for pets. They are nutrients that can be used to treat disease, and they help the body build new cartilage while repairing damage done to existing tissue.

An understanding of the osteoarthritis causes for pets is the first step toward treating this disease in your dog. The right treatment can then be administered, and your pet can start enjoying a better quality of life. Freedom from existing pain and a body that can fight future attacks are the goals, achieved through a regimen of good diet, exercise and the nutrients needed to build healthy tissue.