Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease causes pain, loss of mobility and decreased quality of life. Arthritis is a common condition in dogs and cats (Yes cats! They are just better at hiding it).
Symptoms include:
- Inability to jump and play
- Difficulty going up or down stairs
- Difficulty rising or stiff after rest
- Difficulty toileting and /or using the litter tray
- Trouble grooming or poor coat condition
- Aggressive behaviour when touched, approached or moved due to pain
- Change of rest locations
- Cats- withdrawn and quiet
Thankfully there are many options available to help your pet maintain better quality of life and enjoy life again. Prevention is also important and therefore it is vital to keep your pet slim and trim. Extra weight causes more strain on joints and overweight animals are less active which leads to muscle wastage. Please call for a consultation with one of our weight management nurses, who can tailor a program for your pet. Medications like anti-inflammatories and a course of pentosan (4 weekly injections) can be very effective at controlling the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Never give human painkillers to pets, such as aspirin and nurofen as these can be lethal.
Please ask us about a new medication registered for pain management which can be used in addition to anti-inflammatories. If you have any concerns about your pet’s mobility please book online at Charlestown (or ring 49436066) or book online at Belmont (or ring 49459677) to see one of our friendly veterinarians to help your pet feel more comfortable.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine Metabolic + Mobility
Clinical nutrition especially formulated to help manage your dog’s weight and joint health.