Winter Warmers

This winter is all about keeping warm and looking 

fabulous so who said we can't pass this style onto our furry friends. Introducing the WeatherBeeta Dog Rug fashion line. Not only are these beautiful coats affordable but they will keep your dog warm through the day and night and help to relieve discomfort associated with those chilly nights. They come in many styles and colours to suit any size, so why not check one out today at www.weatherbeeta.com.au/range/dog-rugs.html.

To order one today please call our clinic. In house samples are available.

In addition to looking gorgeous this winter, dealing with the cold is a problem all pets face even with all that fur. Ensure you support your pet through this time by always providing them with a warm and dry place to sleep such as a kennel with padding and warm blankets. Cats also need warm covered resting spots; cat cubby houses are a great way to meet your cat's needs.

As seen above dog coats are great to keep your pet protected from harsh winds and cold day or night. Undercover resting spots are important for protection from harsh sun or rain. 

Joint Support and Supplements

Joint support and Supplementation is the key in helping your pet win the battle againstarthritis and joint damage. As mentioned in our previous segment, arthritis is a manageable condition. Therefore, in this segment we would like to discuss with you some useful hints.

1. Diet and Weight Control: Feeding the appropriate amount of food to you pet daily is crucial, do not overfeed your pet with fatty treats and always refer to your diet's recommended feeding guide to avoid excess weight gain. Weight management can decrease the stress acting on joints. Weight management is indeed one of the most important elements in osteoarthritis management.    

2. Excersise: High impact excercise such as running and jumping should be discouraged. Low impact excersise such as swimming and leash walking is recommended to maintain joint strength and mobility. Other forms may include: muscle/ joint massage, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy.

3. Dietary Supplementation: Use of products containing Omega 3 fatty acids, glucosamine/ chondroitin sulphate, green lipped mussel extract, antioxidants (Vitamin E and C, selenium and zinc) or high in EPA/ DHA. Such products containing elements that have proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and aid in joint health and mobility. Examples of pet product include "Glyde / Sashas blend" which is a powder supplement placed onto the pet's food, Sea Flex treats for dogs and cats, and commercial joint diets such as Royal Canin Mobility or Hill's prescription diet j/d.

4. Environmental Control: Ensure your pet always has a warm and comfortable place to sleep especially at night, away from harsh cold winds and moisture. Good padding is important to prevent excessive pressure being placed on the joints.

5. Chondroprotectants: Pentosan polysulphate is a drug containing an active ingredient which can help protecting the articular cartilages of joints. It improves the joint fluid quality and increases the amount of fluid which provides cushioning and lubrication, thus protecting the joints from further cartilage damage. Treatment involves 4 weekly injections given as a course.

6. Pain Relief Medications: All pain relief medications are prescription only and long term use can potentially cause side effects on organ functions. Therefore, blood test prior to, and periodically during, the course would be essential.  For more information about these medications please speak to our vets. 

We hope that this information has helped you in this common problem. If you found that your furry friend at home require some help in managing arthritic pain, please do not hesitate to call and make an appointment with our vets so that we can tailor-made a protocol suitable for him/her.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic (long term) pain in aging dogs and cats. It is a progressive and degenerative disorder of the joints causing pain and inflammation.  Osteoarthritis is generally caused over time as a result of long term abnormal stress being placed on the joints. Predisposing factors include: age related degeneration, being overweight, from an old injury, or poor development of the joint. Arthritis can affect cats and dogs of various size, age and breed. However, there is a greater incidence of osteoarthritis in older dogs as well as larger breeds, for example, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Great Danes and St. Bernards. The most common clincal signs of osteoarthritis include: Stiffness in the legs, reduced activity, reluctance to walk or play, difficulty rising from a resting position, trouble climbing stairs or jumping into the car, resting more than usual, limping, licking or chewing at the joints and personality change that may include aggression or a defensive reaction when touched.    Diagnosis of osteoarthritis should be done by a veterinarian and will require a physical examination and possibly other tests such as radiography or joint fluid analysis. Though arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed with an aim to reduce or alleviate pain/discomfort and slow down further degeneration. The level of severity will of course affect the success of treatment so if you think your pet may be suffering from arthritis, please speak to one of our veterinarians.