Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic Blog
Our top tips and useful information regarding pet and animal health…
Protecting Your Puppy’s Growing Joints
Too much exercise results in muscle fatigue, creating instability in a puppy’s immature joints. This can lead to inflammation, and the early onset of arthritis and joint disease.
10 Reasons for Intermittent Lameness in Dogs
Does your doggo show signs of intermittent lameness? Whether it’s mild or severe, lameness is one of the first signs that something is not right with your best mate.
Post-Lockdown Separation Anxiety in our Dogs
If COVID-19 has had a silver lining, it’s been getting to spend more time with our pets. Dogs all over the world have enjoyed snuggling into laps while their humans held video conferences and worked away on the phone or computer. Frequent walks and one-on-one time has become the new norm, and we’ve all loved it. But a topic of discussion amongst vets at the moment is whether we’ll see an increase in separation anxiety in our dogs as work restrictions are eased?
Older Dogs - Stress
“I’m not as sharp as I was…I get confused a little now, I have forgotten some of the house rules and I feel more anxious.”
Older Dogs - Feeling the Cold
“Brrrrrrrrrrrr, has the colder season come early? I feel the cold more easily now and I need some extra warmth.”
Older Dogs - I am in Pain
“I’m sorry I growled and snapped at the little boy from next door, but he just wasn’t respecting my space and I can’t move like I use to. My hips and knees are painful and I can’t get up as quick as I use to.”
Older Dogs - Body Changes
“My skin is dry and thinner… my coat has become coarse and it takes longer to come out when the season changes. And my nails don’t wear down like they use to! They’re preventing me from balancing properly and they get in my way when we go walking. I need a little extra care with grooming these days!”
Games for Your Older Dog - Physical and Mental Stimulation
Feeding a portion of your Doggo’s daily food intake from your hand during games is brilliant for mental stimulation, not only with young dogs but especially with older dogs as it helps keep them bright, alert and happy!
Exercise for Older Doggos
The best rule for exercising your older dog is little and often. It’s important to keep those joints mobile. Several regular short walks throughout the day is much more effective than one long walk per day. And one long walk a week or twice a week can often make things much worse.
Signs your Dog might be in Pain
How good is it being a dog these past couple of months??! Walk in the morning, another one at lunch, and the hooman is bored again by 3pm and guess what! Yep! Another walk! While life is getting back to sort-of-normal, our canine kids are loving the extra time spent with us. But maybe you’ve noticed pooch is a bit stiff in the mornings or a bit sore after a big walk? It could be Arthritis…
Arthritis and Joint Pain
Arthritis is a general term for abnormal changes in a joint. These changes occur when cartilage is worn away faster than it can be replaced. Cartilage acts as a cushion to protect the bones. When it wears away, joints become swollen and painful.
Joint Health
For dogs that have stiff joints, the cartilage (the tissues that “cushions” the joint between the bones) is worn away faster than it is replaced. For example, when the cartilage in a dog’s hip joint wears away, mobility decreases, while pain and disability progressively develop.
Arthritis and Diet
There are several trains of thought within the veterinary profession; use grain-free diets, use homemade diets, or use prescription diets that focus on joint disease (and weight loss) and that may or may not include grain. Some grain-free brands of dry dog food include Meals-for-Mutts (stocked at the clinic), Taste of the Wild or Black Hawk – to name a few. Some Prescription foods for joint disease include Hills J/d, Hills Mobility or Hills Metabolic + Mobility. We stock both Hills and Meals-for-Mutts at the clinic.
Elbow Dysplasia
Canine elbow dysplasia (ED) is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint. The elbow joint is a complex joint made up of 3 bones (radius, ulna, and humerus) (figure 1). If the 3 bones do not fit together perfectly due to growth abnormalities, abnormal weight distribution on areas of the joint occur causing pain, lameness, and the development of arthritis.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a deformity of the hip joint (coxofemoral joint) that occurs during an animal's growth period. Many large breed dog owners have heard of it, but the fact is that anyone owning a dog should become familiar with this condition.
Technyflex
Technyflex is a natural product for dogs that may relieve sore and inflamed joints, arthritic symptoms, and is known for its anti-inflammatory activity. It is a natural alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Technyflex Canine is quality green-lipped mussel for dogs.
Pentosan
The star product for Arthritis
Pentosan injections are usually the best form of arthritic management, especially in the early stages of joint disease, and are the #1 choice if picking just one option.
Pentosan stimulates healthy cartilage production and has a long-term effect of preventing the amount of arthritis development. It can also improve pain levels and mobility in the short term and essentially improves joint lubrication.
Weight Management
Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in dogs and cats. This condition can seriously affect your pet’s quality of life. Dogs that are athletic in shape tend to live several years longer and develop orthopaedic issues (such as arthritis) several years later.
Arthritis and Our Pets - Management
With so many therapy options available nowadays, it's paramount to match any treatment with their underlying cause and joint(s) involved. Arthritis is commonly worse in overweight and unfit dogs, so the most important therapy is the combination of weight control and exercise management: minimising load on the joints, and maximising the range of movement and fitness of the muscles around those joints.
Arthritis and Our Pets
It can be as uncomfortable for our dogs as it is in humans - but there are ways of managing the disease to ease your pet's pain.
Arthritis simply means 'inflammation of the joints' and is a common problem for many dogs. Most of you will no doubt know of a dog suffering from arthritis that has shown the textbook signs of pain, discomfort and stiffness.
Our staff are wildly passionate about animals and making sure your pet is living its healthiest and happiest life
Back that passion with expert qualifications and a love of learning, and it’s safe to say your fur family is in very safe hands.