Arthritis is a common problem for both cats and dogs. We have gathered some information to help you identify the symptoms and take action to keep your pet enjoying their normal daily activities.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects joints. It is characterized by the breaking down of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the bones that form a joint. Any stress on the joint will increase the rate of degeneration. Once the cartilage is gone the bones grind against each other with regular movement, making even the slightest movement quite painful.
Arthritis is a common ailment and should be discussed during your pet’s annual physical exam as they get older. Radiographs, as well as other diagnostic tests, can help determine the cause and location of the inflammation. The patient’s medical history, such as previous injuries or possible congenital conditions, can help your veterinarian determine the type of arthritis and best course of treatment.
Keeping your pet at a healthy weight may help prevent arthritis or slow its progression once the condition has developed. However, arthritic conditions cannot always be predicted or prevented, especially those that are congenital. Genetic tests are available to determine if your pet has the specific genetic markers and is at risk for developing these conditions.
Once arthritis has developed, there is no cure. The goal then is to prevent progression of the disease and minimize your pet’s pain. Some treatment options may include:
Note: Advil (Ibuprofen), Tylenol (Acetaminophen), & Aleve (Naproxen) are toxic and NEVER should be given to pets. Do not give your pet any other human over-the-counter medications without first checking with your veterinarian.
Feline Note: Cats are more sensitive to drugs and should only be given medication and supplements intended for use in cats.
If you notice any of these symptoms or changes in daily routine, your pet’s yearly physical exam is a perfect opportunity to discuss these issues with your veterinarian. Give us a call at 444-5797 to schedule an appointment.
Our feline friends live an average of 12-18 years, while some live into their 20s. Senior and geriatric cats need some special considerations regarding their daily care. Here are some tips to help keep your elderly companion happy, healthy, and comfortable well into their golden years.
A cat’s nutritional needs change throughout their lifetime. Older felines need less calories since it doesn’t take much energy to sleep an average of 20 hours a day. Senior cat food usually contains increased fiber as well as vitamins and essential fatty acids. Prescription foods formulated for specific health conditions are available with restricted or added ingredients that support the nutritional needs of the patient.
Most common diseases in older cats:
Felines are notorious for not drinking enough water. Dehydration can lead to or exacerbate chronic medical conditions such as kidney failure. Some cats can be finicky and require fresh, clean water. Adding in a water fountain can encourage them to drink. Canned food contains more moisture and can be added to their diet to increase water intake.
The pain of arthritis can limit geriatric cat’s movements. It may become difficult to jump up on counters and tables or even manage stairs. The location of their food, water, and litter box may need to change. Keep it on the level of your house that they frequent most or provide one on each level. If they have neck or spinal issues, have bowls raised to shoulder level. The height of the sides of their litter box can affect their ability to move in and out freely. Finding a shorter, wider litter box can decrease the likelihood of inappropriate elimination.
Senior cats can lose the ability to fully retract their claws due to arthritis, injury, or infection. Keeping the nails trimmed can reduce the instances of getting caught in carpet. Cut any loose strings or loops on carpet or rugs. If unable to use a scratching surface, the nails may grow too long and penetrate the paw pad.
There are products on the market that can help ease your cat’s arthritis pain. Many of them contain Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Prescription pain medications may be prescribed by your cat’s veterinarian. Feline patients should have cat specific medications and supplements as they are more sensitive and metabolize drugs differently.
Elder felines may need a little assistance in the grooming department. Arthritis, obesity, and other conditions can inhibit cats from reaching certain spots for grooming. Often mats develop on the lower back, abdomen, and around the rear end. You may need to assist by combing or brushing these areas. They also may need help bathing their rear ends. Using a baby wipe or wet wash cloth, gently wipe their rectums. Longer haired cats may need to be trimmed to keep tidy.
Since problems can sneak up quickly, it may be necessary to bring your senior cat to the vet more frequently for physical exams. Keeping a close eye on their normal behaviors at home and noting any deviations can help expose issues sooner. Blood work may be recommended by your cat’s veterinarian as they are excellent at hiding illness. Catching a disease in early stages can increase the success of treatment, improve quality of life, and extend their life expectancy.
Behaviors to Monitor:
You cat’s annual physical exam is an opportune time to discuss any concerns with your veterinarian. It can be helpful to make a list of behavior changes to address. Give us a call at 444-5797 to schedule an appointment.
During the dog days of summer, the temperatures can be uncomfortable for two legged and four legged friends alike. While humans have multiple ways to cool off it can be harder for dogs. Canines do not have the ability to sweat throughout their body to cool down. Panting is their best way of regulating temperature. Heat stroke or heat exhaustion are both terms used for hyperthermia or elevated body temperature.
The symptoms can vary widely depending on how high the body temperature is and the patient’s other concurrent health issues. Symptoms may include:
A rectal temperature provides most accurate reading. A dog’s normal temperature ranges between 100 to 103°F. A thorough history and questions regarding the pet’s recent environmental situation can help determine if the high body temperature is due to fever brought on by infection or other internal causes vs hyperthermia from external sources. Critical temperatures of 107-109 °F or above can lead to organ failure and death.
Dogs are not able to sweat over their entire body like humans. They have a small number of sweat glands in their foot pads. Applying alcohol or cool water to their foot pads can help reduce temperature due to evaporation. Utilize cool wash clothes on the pet’s head, stomach, groin, and armpits. Do not use cold water or ice packs. Cold restricts blood flow to the skin. The goal is to cool the blood and circulate it back through the body. Also, a drastic temperature drop can cause shock. Change the wash clothes frequently. Providing airflow, such as a fan, across their body will aid in evaporation. It is important to take their temperature frequently. A rectal temperature is the most accurate. Stop cooling when it reaches 103 or they may go into hypothermia.
In severe cases, hospitalization may be required for supportive care such as IV fluids and oxygen therapy. Medications can be given to control seizures. Your veterinarian may want to run blood work to assess the damage to the organs as prolonged hyperthermia can cause organ failure.
Patients who have suffered from hyperthermia are at greater risk for heat stroke due to damage to the thermoregulatory center. These patients should be carefully monitored in situations that could cause hyperthermia.
Hyperthermia is a condition that can be easily prevented by following reasonable standards of pet care.
If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of hyperthermia, record their body temperature and take action to reduce it if elevated. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service for further instruction.
All the sudden your dog stops being able to wag his tail. It is droopy and just hangs limp. He sits funny, maybe to the side, as to not put pressure on it. There are many names for this including rudder tail, limber tail, swimmer’s tail, or broken wag. The technical term for this condition is acute caudal myopathy. Although this can happen to any breed, but it is most common in working or hunting breeds such as Retrievers, Points, Setters, and Hounds.
This condition often occurs at the start of hunting season or in the early spring. The muscles in the tail are sprained or strained from overuse without proper conditioning. Dogs use their tail like a rudder to steer and maintain balance while swimming. The cold water in spring and fall may also play a role. During hunting, working, or playing the dog may wag their tail excessively. Dogs who are crated for long periods of time can also develop this condition. Dogs may not show symptoms immediately, but possibly the next morning after rest. Much like a human’s muscles are sore the next day after exercise. The pain can be substantial enough to make the dog not want to eat and act lethargic.
Symptoms may include:
A tentative finding can be made based on the patient’s recent history, but a full physical exam will help confirm the diagnosis. Your veterinarian may need to rule out other issues such as a fracture, back injury, anal gland issues, or prostate disease. Radiographs may be helpful in excluding other issues.
Patients will recover with rest and anti-inflammatory pain medication. More severe cases may require prescription muscle relaxers. Ice or hot packs may also be recommended. This may take a few days to a week depending on the severity of the injury and if the patient complies with resting. It is a difficult request to ask a happy dog not to try and wag its tail.
Since overuse of the muscles is the cause, simply taking it easy will help prevent this issue. Instead of allowing the dog to jump into an activity full bore, introduce it slowly. Condition them with short amounts of exercise, training, or swimming to build up their endurance and stamina. Allow ample time to rest in between. For hunting dogs, start preparing them well before the season, or keep them conditioned throughout the year. Don’t expect your dog to go from couch potato to field champion in one day.
Supplements, vitamins, & herbs; we hear a lot about their benefits in human medicine, but are they necessary or safe for our pets? In general, feeding a quality commercial pet food should supply your pet with all the required nutrients for general health. Different age groups, specific breeds, or pets with medical conditions may require different nutrients.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally occurring compounds that are often paired together in joint supplements. They are commonly recommended for elderly, arthritic, or patients with joint injuries. These supplements are a chondroprotectant, which means they help to alleviate joint pain by boosting repair of damaged cartilage, helping to retain fluid to lubricate the joint, and protect against cartilage break down. These supplements often work behind the scenes and results are usually not seen immediately after starting these supplements; they need time to build up in the patient’s system and take effect. Sometimes owners will notice more of an effect when they stop these.
Glucosamine and chondroitin can be found in many forms. These supplements are sold over the counter and can be found in tablets, capsules, and powder form. It is often included in senior pet foods and foods marketed for joint health (Hill’s Science Diet j/d®, Purina Veterinary Diet Joint Mobility®, Royal Canin Advance Mobility Support®). Prescription treats made with Glucosamine and chondroitin are also available. Make sure the supplements have been FDA approved, otherwise the ingredients, dosage, etc. may not be reliable.
Not all fats are bad. Essential fatty acids are found naturally in a balanced diet. Pets that lack adequate fatty acids can have dry, dull hair coat and skin. Adding Omega-3 is commonly recommended to improve skin and coat health. Fatty acids can also improve heart health by reducing inflammation in the body that can damage blood vessels and lead to heart disease. Studies also suggest it may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and may also help with arthritis.
Fatty acids can be found in certain oils, flax seed, chia, and safflower. Studies suggest that pets may have difficulty converting these into the correct form to provide the most benefit. Cold water fish, algae, and krill oil have been shown to already contain the correct form that does not need converting. Therefore, the source of the fatty acid is important when choosing a product. Supplements are commonly found in either liquid or capsule form.
Excessive amounts of fatty acids can cause undesirable side effects such as gastrointestinal upset or blood clotting issues. Avoid these supplements within two weeks of any surgical procedure. Pet owners may not appreciate the fishy breath and “fish burps” that often accompany the use of these supplements. Most products require refrigeration or can become rancid, and the efficacy can be affected by exposure to light, heat, or oxygen. Be sure to read the labels regarding storage and expiration.
Note: Fatty Acid supplements may need to be discontinued before surgical procedures.
I could write an entire blog on probiotics, but in summary probiotics can be beneficial to most patients. The benefits range from aiding in digestion and GI health to supporting a healthy immune system. Probiotics can be found in many forms; including powder, capsules, tablets, liquids, pastes, and in treats or food. Powders have been found to be most effective. Attention to bacterial strains, ingredients and dosages are important no matter which product is used. Probiotics tend to work best when they are given to the species they are formulated for. For example, human probiotics work best for humans, canine probiotics work best for canines, and feline probiotics work best for felines.
For patients with gastrointestinal issues, adding more fiber to their diet may improve symptoms. Fiber aids in regulating bowel movements, which can benefit pets experiencing either diarrhea or constipation. Canned pumpkin is an inexpensive and palatable addition to a pet’s diet to increase fiber. Make sure to use canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has ingredients that may cause gastrointestinal upset.
The anal glands are normally expressed with a solid bowel movement. Patients with loose stools or altered anatomy near the rectum may have issues expressing their anal glands naturally. By adding fiber to their diet, the stools become firmer and more regular, aiding in expressing the glands regularly. Products such as Glandex®, No Scoot®, and Express Ease® are marketed for patients with chronic anal gland issues. Fiber is a main ingredient in these products.
Overweight patients will also benefit from added fiber. Eating more fiber allows them to reduce caloric intake but still feel full. Studies show that diabetics who consume a high fiber diet experience less fluctuation in blood sugar levels. Weight loss and diabetic diets (Hill’s Science Diet prescription w/d® and r/d®, Purina Veterinary Diets Overweight Management® and Diatetic Management®, Royal Canin Satiety Support®) are formulated with increased fiber and fewer calories.
The benefit of adding antioxidants and vitamins to a pet’s diet is debated. Some evidence supports the possibility that they counteract the effects of aging, such as cognitive dysfunction. For example, vitamins C and E may reduce inflammation and help aging dogs with memory problems. A patient may be diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency or disease that would be slowed by the addition of a supplement. In these cases, the supplements should be prescribed by a veterinarian and monitored closely.
Ancient civilizations have been using herbal medicine to treat ailments for centuries. Many of the same herbal blends are still used today. There are many different ingredients with multiple benefits such as controlling urine leakage, aiding in blood clotting, and even slowing the progression of cancer. These supplements should be prescribed and closely monitored by your veterinarian. It is important to obtain them from a trusted source since the ingredients, dosage, etc. can widely vary. Counterfeit products are also a risk when ordering online.
You may have heard the phrase “Too much of a good thing ain’t a good thing.” This rings true for supplements. For example, too much calcium can cause skeletal problems. Excess vitamin A can harm blood vessels and cause dehydration and joint pain. Too much vitamin D can prompt a dog to stop eating, effect bones, and cause muscle atrophy. Though studies have been done on the short-term benefits of supplements, they often don’t examine the long-term effects. As veterinary medicine advances, more knowledge of the effects of supplements will evolve.
Each individual patient is unique. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any supplements and report any side effects. Please bring any supplements along to appointments so they can be documented in the patient’s medical history.
A very common subject of phone calls received at veterinary clinics is a pet that is “scooting”. A common misconception is that it has worms, but often the cause is anal glands that need expressing. Most people are not even aware that pets have anal glands and what they do.
Anal glands are small sacs located just inside the rectum with ducts that exit at the anus. Also called the “scent glands”, they produce a foul-smelling, yellow to brown colored, liquid substance used for marking. The contents are excreted with the pressure of a normal, firm bowel movement. Most pets do not have issues expressing the material on their own. However, due to loose stools, allergies, diet, or differing anatomy, some patients need help expressing the glands. Anal glands can become impacted, infected, and can abscess. Also, leaks can occur when pets are either very relaxed or scared/startled.
Some symptoms are very noticeable, while others are more subtle. Pet’s may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:
The glands will need to be expressed manually if the patient cannot express them naturally. Though this can be done from the outside, it is much more successful to express them internally. It is highly recommended that a veterinary professional express them, but with proper training and patient cooperation a client can do them at home. If any abnormalities are noticed, please seek veterinary care.
Abscessed anal glands may need oral antibiotics, and in severe cases may need to be infused with liquid antibiotics. Most patients will need to be sedated for this procedure. Tumors can also develop in or around the anal glands, which is a good reason to have them expressed by a veterinary professional.
There are multiple products on the market that claim to alleviate anal gland issues. The key ingredient in all of them is fiber. Fiber helps to keeps pet’s gastrointestinal system regular, which helps to naturally express the glands. A low-cost home remedy would be to add a small amount of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) to your pet’s diet.
For patients with known anal glands issues, expressing them regularly can prevent them from becoming impacted and abscessing. All patients are different, but it is common to need expressing monthly. If your pet is having anal gland issues, give us a call at 444-5797 to schedule an appointment.
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