Arthritis pain is one of primary cause of discomfort and loss of mobility in older horses, dogs and cats. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more pet's joints. Cartilage serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Osteoarthritis commonly affects large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees and with aging, the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints. Loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility.Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs) to form around the joints. There are other conditions that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis include obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures, abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities), gout, diabetes and other hormone disorders. Obesity causes osteoarthritis by increasing the mechanical stress on the cartilage. Obesity and repeated trauma to joint tissues such as ligaments, bones and cartilage is believed to lead to early osteoarthritis Crystal deposits in the cartilage can cause cartilage degeneration, and osteoarthritis. Some pets are born with abnormally formed joints (congenital abnormalities) that are vulnerable to mechanical wear, causing early degeneration and loss of joint cartilage.
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