Those of you who have had feline roommates know that cats only do a few things, and those things usually aren’t for your benefit.  Sometimes they bring you grisly surprises – some poor mouse’s delicately furred pants, or a rat sized squirrel mask – but they are never the type of surprises that can be put to good use.  Well, all of that is about to change.  Now, you can view your cat as a great investment, sure to eventually earn back his worth in benefits to your health.

What am I talking about?  The cat’s purr.  Once an enigma, the purr is now thought to be a natural healing mechanism that is probably responsible for the many tales surrounding the cat’s amazing ability to survive.

Research into the purpose of the purr was driven by the idea that, given the fact that cats purr even when in pain and near death, the purr cannot be explained away as a simple expression of contentment.  All cats purr, and the theory is that they wouldn’t expend energy purring in a weakened or pained state if it didn’t in some way increase their likelihood of survival.

Stories about cats’ ability to mend bones and documentation of their quick healing after surgeries and other types of injuries (like falling from high rises) give credence to the idea that the felids must have some extraordinary healing mechanism that other animals do not.  But wait, there’s more.  Like some kind of a real life, magic-healing video game sidekick, your cat may be able to heal you as well.

THIS JUST IN: Your Cat May Be Good For Something!

Through a series of studies researchers have found that “vibrations between 20-140 Hz are therapeutic for bone growth/fracture healing, pain relief/swelling reduction, wound healing, muscle growth and repair/tendon repair, mobility of joints and the relief of dyspnea.”  In its paper entitled The Felid Purr: A Bio-Mechanical Healing Mechanism (from which the foregoing quote was taken), Fauna Communications summarized its research recording and analyzing the purrs of forty seven members of the cat family.  They determined that all of the cats they sampled purred at a dominant frequency well within the theraputic range, and specifically within the ranges known to treat the aforementioned afflictions.

Although there is as yet no proof that the feline purr is a healing mechanism, many believe that there is more than enough evidence to support the conclusion that the healing benefits of purr exposure affects not only cats but also other living things within the range of their vibrations.  After all, what cat owner has not experienced even the unfriendliest cats’ pushy affection when his person is sick, injured, or sad?  My cat takes my slightest discomfort as an opportunity to bully his way into the crook of my arm and hunker down for a long, heavy purr.  I am fortunate enough to have one full-coverage cat, but if you can’t find one like mine you can always invest in several smaller ones to get the job done.

So, next time your cat attempts to trip you going down the stairs or tries to steal your chicken wing, remember what an amazing, important investment he is and think of how much his therapy would cost if you could purchase it in pill form.

Sources:

www.vetinfo.com

http://animalvoice.com/home.htm

Do you have a stiff dog?  I do.  Or at least, I recently had a stiff dog roommate.  By all accounts the best dog in the west, Toobis – a pitador – has become slightly old the last couple of years.  While sometimes it is difficult to tell whether his reluctance to leap into the car or onto the bed stems from his stubborn streak or his painful joints, he has an official diagnosis of osteoarthritis, so he is excused from most strenuous activity.

Still, no matter how often we advise him to relax he insists on retrieving every stick he can find and – when there are apples to be had – nimbly plucking snacks from not-so-low hanging branches.

After exerting himself like the puppy he once was, we are always reminded of his slightly arthritic condition by his reluctance to ascend the stairs or jump onto the couch.  “But he is still so young!” we protest, knowing that the statement is at least partially true because Toobie is only nine years old.  But as any long-term dog owner knows, nine years is old enough for arthritis.

How do you know if your dog has arthritis?  You take him to the vet.  Some arthritis indicators are:

1. Laziness
2. Painful legs & irritability
3. Disinterest in food
4. Fever (in advanced stages)
5. Diminished muscle tone

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in dogs.  If your vet diagnoses your dog with osteoarthritis she will let you know what course of treatment is best suited for your dog.  There are several approaches to choose from, including NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Rimadyl, Etogesic, Deramaxx, Metacam, Zubrin, Previcox, Novox (generic Rimadyl), and Etagesic.

lab owners should be aware that labs may be more at risk for liver damage when taking Rimadyl

NSAIDs have been found to be effective in the treatment of canine arthritis, however there are known side effects ranging from mild to serious associated with them.  Common side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, change in appetite, perforation or bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, lethargy, and liver and kidney damage.  In particular, labrador retriever owners should be aware that labs may be more at risk for liver damage when taking Rimadyl.  Follow this link for more information on Rimadyl and your lab.

Of course, NSAIDs aren’t the only treatment for your dog’s arthritis.  Other options include glucosamine supplements which stimulate cartilage and joint regeneration, chondroitin sulfate for pain, and omega fatty acids which reduce inflammation.  Many dog owners give their pets natural supplements and herbal remedies and have found them to be quite effective.  In fact, Toobis is about to begin his own herbal supplement regimen of Arthurin (made by JBNI, the company that produces this website) to reinforce his body’s ability to mend damage located around the joint areas and help relieve his pain by preventing any unintentional nerve misfiring.  Check back later for updates on Toobie’s personal friskiness.

http://www.dogarthritiscare.com/dog-arthritis-symptoms.php
http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-arthritis-medication-treatments.html

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