Does your pet seem less playful than they once were? Sleeping more than usual? Moving slower or less active? These could be signs of arthritis, a frequent ailment in aging animals. This blog post explores the topic of pet arthritis, discussing symptoms to look out for and how acupuncture and rehabilitation therapies from West Delray Veterinary can help your beloved dog or cat lead an active, happy life into their senior years.
Keeping Your Pet Limber: Understanding Arthritis
Has your pet stopped playing the way he or she used to? It might be early stages of arthritis, a common condition in older animals. This blog post discusses the signs of arthritis in dogs and cats and how West Delray Veterinary’s acupuncture and rehabilitation therapies can help your beloved pet live an active and happy life into their senior years.
Spotting the Signs of Arthritis in Your Pet
It is often difficult for pet owners to recognize signs of pain in their pets. Nonetheless, there are certain symptoms that could point to discomfort due to arthritis. These are some signs to look out for:
- Stiffness: Does your pet appear to be less flexible? Stiffness and slower movement is often noted with arthritis pain. Joint pain may cause trouble getting up, difficulty climbing stairs, reluctance to go on walks, or challenges getting on or off furniture as they normally would. Clients often note that pets have more trouble in the mornings, which is likely due to laying down for long periods of time at night.
- Limping: An intermittent limp, particularly after long periods of laying down or following physical activity, may be cause for concern. Even a subtle lameness can be indicative of significant arthritis and should not be ignored.
- Reduced Activity: Has your once-active dog or feisty cat suddenly started resting more? Diminishing activity levels may indicate pain.
- Behavioral Changes: Is your typically friendly pet growing withdrawn or irritable? A shift in attitude may indicate pain. Just like people, pets in pain can display increased irritability.
Mindful Veterinary Care: Helping Your Pet Thrive
At West Delray Veterinary, we recognize that it is critical to maintain mobility to help ensure the best quality of life for your pet. We are excited to be able to offer a wide range of therapies In order to manage arthritis symptoms in our patients.
- Rehabilitation Services: Your pet can regain strength, experience less pain, improve flexibility, and enhance range of motion with the help of our rehabilitation program. Customized to meet their specific needs, a rehabilitation program helps your pet return to their favorite activities.
- Acupuncture Services: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years. It is a very successful treatment for pain across many species. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system and aids in healing by strategically placing tiny needles at specified points on the body.
- Nutritional Support: Incorporating joint supplements or Chinese herbs into your pet’s diet can be a proactive approach to managing joint pain and arthritis. Joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can help support cartilage health and reduce inflammation, potentially easing discomfort and improving mobility. Similarly, Chinese herbs may contain ingredients such as yucca and turmeric, which possess anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate joint stiffness and pain.
- Medications: Arthritis is known to be a painful condition in both humans and animals. Pain management for arthritis often includes medications such as anti-inflammatories or other medicines designed to improve comfort and mobility in pets.
Don’t let arthritis steal your pet’s joy! If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, schedule an appointment with West Delray Veterinary. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to keep your furry friend happy, healthy, and active for years to come. Contact us today at (561) 777-7173 or visit us at 15065 US-441, Suite 750, Delray Beach FL 33446 to learn more about our services.