Did your dog or cat have a difficult time when the cold weather came around last year?
Arthritis affects many pets just as it affects us. Joint pain and stiffness can make simple movements such as getting up and using stairs uncomfortable, and the discomfort often worsens in the cold weather months. Pets as young as five years old can suffer from the pain of arthritis.
How do you know if your pet is suffering from arthritis?
Dogs are people pleasers and their natural exuberance often masks signs of pain, while cats will often change their behavior in subtle ways. So what signs should you look for that signal a problem?
Signs of Arthrits in Dogs and Cats
How can you make your arthritic pet more comfortable?
There are many treatments available that can greatly reduce the severity of arthritis symptoms in your pet, improving your pet’s quality of life.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are components of cartilage and when taken orally, the body can use them to repair and rebuild cartilage where it is damaged. It also appears that these substances may have anti-inflammatory properties and may act by stimulating the synthesis of joint lubricants and collagen within the damaged joint.
Avacado and Soybean Unsoponafides (ASU) have been shown in studies to promote cartilage repair in arthritic joints. This supplement can only be found in a product called Dasuquin, which also contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin. It has become Milwood Animal Clinic’s preferred joint supplement for dogs and cats.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) – Found in certain fish such as herring, mackerel, and salmon, EPA reduces inflammation in the arthritic joint. This supplement has been incorporated into a joint mobility diet for dogs and cats by Hills Nutrition called j/d. We have seen dramatic improvements in mobility when our patients have converted to this diet.
*When purchasing oral supplements it is important to stick with well-respected brands. A recent study testing the ingredients of several brands of dietary supplements found the majority of glucosamine supplements have far less glucosamine in the product than what the label states. Nutramax Labs’ supplements where found to be consistent with its labeling.
Prescription Pain Relievers – when arthritis supplements do not provide the desired level of comfort, our doctors prescribe pain relievers. The choice of pain reliever depends on several factors but there are several options available to make your pet more comfortable through the winter and beyond.
For the month of November Milwood Animal Clinic is providing special offers on arthritis supplements and joint diets!
Schedule your pet’s Arthritis Evaluation Appointment in November and take advantage of super savings coupons for Hill’s J/D prescription diet for joint health and a free starter bottle of Dasuquin Joint Health Supplement.
Call 269-342-9865 to make this important appointment for your pet. Visit our website at milwoodanimalclinic.com.
inappropriate elimination from their pet cat at least once in their lives. Sometimes the cause is medical, such as a bladder infection or inflammatory bowel disease. Many times there is a behavioral component to inappropriate elimination in cats. It is important to first rule out all possible medical causes before attempting to address behavioral elimination problems. The following list is a compilation of feline litter box preferences based on research and personal experience of veterinarians and behaviorists.
