Understanding Arthritis in Pets: How Cold Weather Affects Your Furry Friends
Aches and joint pain in pets are not uncommon, especially as they age or experience arthritis due to injuries or other orthopedic problems. Just because arthritis in pets is common, though, doesn’t mean they need to suffer! Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital is here to tell you how you can help, even as the colder months arrive.
Understanding Arthritis in Pets
Arthritis in pets is a chronic, degenerative condition that affects the joints. It can cause pain, inflammation, and decreased mobility.
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis in dogs and cats. It occurs when the cartilage between the two bones of a joint wears down. It most often affects weight bearing joints like the hips, stifles, elbows, and spine.
Arthritis occurs secondary to many things. Causes can include:
- Aging changes
- Obesity
- Genetic joint problems like patellar luxation
- Injury or trauma
- Developmental disorders like hip dysplasia
Symptoms of arthritis in pets can include stiffness, lameness/limping, decreased activity, reluctance to move, and behavioral changes. Signs of pain can be more subtle and include things like licking or chewing and area. Pets do not always whine or cry like people might expect.
Our team often diagnoses arthritis based on the pet’s medical history, the results of a physical examination, and imaging like radiographs.
Cold Weather and Arthritis
Pet arthritis in winter can certainly be more noticeable. There are a few reasons for increased joint pain in pets in the cold.
- Thickening of the lubricating joint fluid
- Contraction or tightening of muscles
- Reduction in circulation
- Decrease in overall activity level
- Barometric pressure changes leading to increased joint pressure
- Increased sensitivity due to cold
Help your pet by making sure to support mobility on slippery surfaces. Consider adding traction where possible (and keeping hair on the feet trimmed and nails cut short) in order to allow the paw pads to contact the ground better. Encouraging gentle activity and stretching can also help when it comes to cold weather and arthritis.
Managing Pet Arthritis
Most pets who are affected by arthritis can be managed quite well. Modern veterinary medicine allows us many options for osteoarthritis treatments for our patients.
Most pets benefit from a combination of treatment options which may include things like:
- Nutritional management — A good nutrition program that helps a patient to maintain an ideal body weight is very helpful. In addition, oral nutraceuticals such as omega 3 fatty acids and glucosamine to support joint health. Some injectable options like Adequan are also beneficial.
- Medications — Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, pain medications such as gabapentin, and injectable monoclonal antibodies like Librela can be helpful in managing arthritic patients.
- Acupuncture — Acupuncture utilizes the strategic placement of needles to help decrease pain, inflammation, and stimulate blood flow to areas that many need help.
- Therapeutic laser treatments — Laser therapy sessions are a non-invasive, low risk option to help decrease pain and inflammation in arthritic joints.
- PEMF treatments — Pulse electromagnetic field therapy can bring relief to many patients as well.
Gentle exercise and rehabilitation techniques like massage therapy and therapeutic exercise help many arthritic patients maintain strength, range of motion, and function as well.
Arthritis in pets can be a painful and progressive condition, but with proper management pets can still lead comfortable and happy lives. Contact us with any questions you might have, especially as these colder months are upon us.