Winter Aches and Pains

At this time of the year, especially on a cold morning, some of you would notice that your dog or cat seems to be less mobile or a previously noted lameness is more obvious.

These observations may be signs of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), also called

Osteoarthritis, which is particularly common in middle aged and older pets. This affliction develops through wear and tear of the normally smooth cartilage surfaces of the joints and leads to joint inflammation, remodelling and pain. The excessive wearing of the cartilage often results from some previous injury to the joint or from a developmental malformation, like hip or elbow dysplasia.

Fortunately there are a number of things that we can do to help a cat or dog with DJD. An overweight pet has greater forces acting on its joints, leading to more severe arthritis, so a weight control diet or provision of moderate intensity exercise can improve the situation. Exercise for an arthritic dog shouldn’t jar the joints so lead walks and swimming are ideal. You should provide warm bedding and a draught-free sleeping area at night.

Acupuncture can be of great benefit in both cats and dogs with DJD. This helps to relieve pain and inflammation in the majority of animals. ‘Cartrophen’ (pentosan polysulphate) is a drug that can be given to dogs, by weekly injection for a month, that improves the lubrication of the joints and helps to protect the cartilage from further wear. It also causes significant improvement in the majority of dogs. Alternatively, there is a large range of anti-inflammatory medications available that reduce arthritic pain and inflammation. These tend to be given on a daily basis and the drug used would depend on your budget, the severity of the problem and the age and health of the animal. DJD can be a debilitating condition and with appropriate treatment we can greatly improve the comfort and mobility of most affected animals. If your pet finds the cooler months difficult, make an appointment to see one of our vets who can help define the problem and formulate a plan tailored to your animal’s requirements.