Arthritis

Dog and Cat Arthritis Tips

Arthritis is a very common condition in both dogs AND CATS! Here are some easy tips that you can do at home to ease your pets discomfort.

• Ensure they have soft bedding to lie on – hard cold floors exacerbate problems
• Ensure exercise is regular and often- short and sweet is a lot better than long walks less often.
• Minimise drastic exercise e.g. jumping for balls and Frisbees and make sure you always allow your animal to warm into the exercise
• Minimise the amount of stairs your pet uses
• Diets and supplements: Hill’s j/d, Glucosamine and 4cyte are just a couple of options.
• Try to keep your pet warm- keeping them inside at night is one option, as well as getting them a dog coat. 
• Zydax/Synovan injections: we have had wonderful feedback about the improvement with either of these injections at our clinic, and have many patients receiving them. They help immensely with joint health.
  – Synovan is given initially as 4 needles one week apart and then either monthly after that or can be up to 3 months between needles.   Sometimes only one needle is required monthly but other times another course of needles may be given to make effective.
  – Zydax is given initially as 4 needles one week apart and then lasts for a further 5 months giving them 6 months protection.  Then another course of 4 needles is given weekly with then 5 months protection with that course.
• Antinol capsules are red krill oil and other natural ingredients that help with arthritis and cognitive function of your pet. They are given daily and have no side effects.  They are readily eaten by most animals and are available over the counter in clinic.
• 4 cyte gel forte is an all natural gel that can be given daily to reduce inflammation in their body naturally before needing to use other medications that can have potential side effects. This product is available in clinic over the counter.
• Good oil has many useful omega 3 and 6 fats that can also help with inflammation associated with arthritis
• NSAID’s – previcox, movalis and carprofen are medications that can have potent anti-inflammatory effects but do also have potential side effects.

It is important to tailor the treatment to your pet therefore we recommend having a consultation at the clinic to discuss what would be best for your pets care and comfort.

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