Pets Face Some of the Same Ailments as People and Need Treatment

Having pets or companion livestock such as horses can mean having to deal with health problems as they age, some of which are unique to animals, and some of which are similar to what humans deal with. Taking care of your companion animal as it ages needs to involve a combination of preventive care and treating illnesses and chronic conditions as they arrive. Here are some of the common things animals deal with as they age and how to help prevent and treat them.

Just as with humans, pets and companion livestock tend to encounter orthopedic issues as they age. Often, these problems are more pronounced in certain breeds and are the product of centuries of inbreeding or cross breeding. Even dogs that aren’t prone to problems can have arthritis as they age. Statistics suggest that as many as one in four dogs develops arthritis over time. There are things you can do to help your dog. Just as in people, exercise can help dogs stave off the effects of aging. Studies show that 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise can be beneficial. If your dog already has arthritis, there are things you can do to help ease the pain. There are a number of therapy dog products, such as a dog wrist brace, to help with the effects of arthritis. A dog wrist brace for pain and other similar products can help to improve your dog’s quality of life.

Horses have their own set of problems. Some horse breeds can weigh more than a ton, which can put a lot of stress on their joints, and it can also lead to injuries to tendons and other soft tissues. A bowed tendon is a common horse injury that often takes at least eight months for full healing. If your horse is injured, a first sign might be a shift in its posture as it attempts to compensate for the injury. Along with treatment and guidance from a vet, therapy products for horses, such as a support brace, can help with injuries to these animals. Horses that are injured or feeling the effects of old age also can benefit from less activity and not being ridden.

Injuries and ailments related to old age are a fact of life with animals just as they are with people. Practicing prevention and using therapy products can help lessen the burden on pet and owner.