What is arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint. It’s derived from the Greek words
“arthron” meaning joint and “itis” meaning inflammation.
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to fight infection. When your
body is injured, white blood cells accumulate and gather around the area of
injury. These white blood cells are designed to attack foreign substances
and bacteria. As a result of this, inflammation and swelling occurs.
What are the types of Arthritis?
There are more than 100 various types of arthritis. Right now we’ll focus
on the most common type found in both pets and people.
Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint
disease.
In this type of arthritis the cartilage between the joint bones wears away. In
severe cases the cartilage completely wears away allowing the two joint
bones to rub against one another. Eventually, the body replaces the lost
cartilage with calcium deposits and osteophytes - dense, ivory-like spurs.
The result is stiffness, pain and loss of mobility that can seriously degrade
one’s quality of life.
Other types of arthritis include Infective Arthritis and Auto Immune
Arthritis. Since they’re far less common, I’ll give you a brief scope.
Infective Arthritis results of contact with bacteria like E.
coli or Staphylococci. Joints can get infected by one of two
ways.
1. Direct penetration of the joint by a nail, bite or any
sharp object. Or
2. Spreading through the bloodstream.
Early diagnosis for this type of arthritis is imperative and
can be done through blood tests or x-rays.
If this is the case, antibiotics and rest are your pet’s best
friends.
Auto Immune Arthritis usually affects several joints. Rheumatoid
Arthritis is an example. This happens when the immune system, designed
to fight foreign invaders, fights the body instead. Fortunately, this is one of
the least common forms of arthritis found in pets.
Taking samples of the joint fluid provides diagnosis. If bacterial and fungal
cultures are not found, immune arthritis could be present.
