Albany Democrat - Herald - Older Pets & joint problems

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Older pets may need help of a vet

By Jennifer Gardner

Our pets are living longer, but with the increased lifespans come ailments related to age.

One of the most common of these is arthritis, a degenerative joint disease that can cause stiffness and pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the disease affects as many as one in five of dogs in the U.S. and is one of the most common problems that veterinarians treat.

If your pet is slowing down, sleeping more or struggling to jump or move in ways it previously did, you may be seeing the signs of arthritis. Sometimes you’ll see changes in behavior. One woman recently asked me about a cat that stopped drinking from its water bowl. Instead, it soaked its paw in the water, then raised its paw and licked off the drops. Arthritis pain in the neck could be the cause of this behavior change; I suggested raising the food and water dishes on a couple of phone books and making an appointment for a vet check-up as soon as possible.

What can a vet do? First, your vet may be able to identify what type of arthritis is affecting your pet. The vet can also check to see if your pet has any initial signs of organ failure, which could influence the type of medication or treatment that is given.

Your veterinarian may prescribe medications or supplements that can help. Pain medication is important for quality of life, but cats react very poorly to many common pain drugs, so a vet will be able to get the appropriate product and dosage for your pet. Depending on how bad the damage is, your vet may also suggest a corticosteroid shot, but many vets look to these as a last resort only because of the negative side effects.

Suggested supplements may include glucosamine and chondroitin, which promote cartilage formation. Vets may give you Cosequin, a capsule with these ingredients, or Syn-flex, a liquid with these and pain relief. Omega fatty acids can help regulate pressure in the joints and improve overall joint health. Finally, Vitamin C may be added to your pet’s diet, but it’s best to work with a vet on this one too, as too much can cause loose stools or contribute to problems with kidneys or bladder.

What can you do as a pet owner? In addition to medications and supplements, you should make sure your pet is at its ideal weight. An overweight animal will put more stress on its joints. Many older animals lose weight naturally, but if this is a problem for your pet, take it slow and work to reduce the extra weight.

Exercise may not sound great to your pet if it’s hurting, but that’s exactly what you need to encourage. Gentle movement keeps joints warmed up and muscles working at their best. If you don’t walk your dog regularly, start now. Cats may enjoy playing with new toys that keep them active, as long as you keep play sessions short and don’t overdo it. Swimming is a great exercise for arthritic pets and can be investigated if you believe your pet would benefit.

Pets with arthritis will naturally gravitate toward warm areas.

Suffering pets should be indoors where it’s warmer for them. A heating pad may be much appreciated, but should not be used if you’re not around to supervise. Several products are on the market that will heat up for your pet, such as SnuggleSafe disks that go into your microwave for a few minutes and stay warm for hours. On damp or cold days, provide a blanket or sweater for your pet.

If your pet enjoys being touched, gentle massage can also make them feel better. Massage helps get the blood flowing and warms up stiff joints. Be very gentle and always stop if your pet acts distressed or wants to move away from you. Some groomers or vets offer massage services if you don’t wish to try this yourself. Owners of pets with arthritis also report amazing results from acupuncture.

As with the water dish example I mentioned above, look for ways to make your elderly pet’s life easier. Raise food and water bowls. Keep all your pet’s supplies on one level and don’t ask your pet to climb stairs or jump up on furniture or into cars. Instead, build a makeshift ramp or look into products on the market that help pets get on furniture or into vehicles more easily. Identify a place close to the house where your pet can go to the bathroom, and with cats or small dogs, you may look into using an indoor litterbox to prevent or reduce accidents in the house.

Pets with arthritis can still live healthy and relatively pain-free lives. Be attentive to their needs and don’t hesitate to involve your vet if you have questions.

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