If you're a pet owner, you understand the special bond between you and your cat or dog. If you've ever had a sick pet, you also know how agonizing it is to see your pet in pain. Pet arthritis, usually caused by limited mobility, is especially hard to deal with, because many people suffer from this condition and can empathize.

The symptoms that you see are often just mild signs of arthritis that can be effectively alleviated. Don't let arthritis go unchecked; if you leave this disease untreated, it will progress until even the most active breeds of dogs are left permanently immobile. If you want to help avoid these problems, and spare your pet the agony of joint pain, try the following tips.

Talk to your veterinarian before you begin any course of treatment.

You have a special relationship with your pet and understand his needs and wants, but your veterinarian has specific medical knowledge that can help diagnose and treat your pet's arthritis. Your veterinarian will probably look over your pet's medical records and order tests, like physical exams, x-rays or MRIs, and blood screenings, as he determines what arthritis your pet has. Osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and degenerative joint disease are the most common forms of arthritis in pets.

After making a diagnosis, your veterinarian can prescribe a course of treatment. This will probably involve some combination of medication and physical therapy. Don't just use over-the-counter painkillers unless you talk to your veterinarian first, because these medications can actually worsen the condition - they can even be fatal! Your veterinarian may suggest steroids or anti-inflammatory drugs, which may reduce swelling and therefore lessen your pet's pain. Sometimes, more drastic procedures, like surgery to correct damaged bones, may be necessary, but in many cases, less invasive procedures are sufficient. Your veterinarian can tell you which course of therapy will be most effective.

Try Liquid Glucosamine.

Recent research has focused on alternative ways to treat arthritis, and the results have consistently shown that glucosamine and chondroitin are beneficial. Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine is one alternative to unsafe painkillers because it actually helps correct the problem, helping to stimulate regeneration of damaged bones. It also reduces inflammation, which is the root of pain in arthritis patients, and in doing so reduces the discomfort. This liquid formula can be easily administered once daily to your pet. It is much easier to get your pet to swallow a liquid than eat a pill!