By Dr Hailee Byles, Maleny Veterinary Services

As our pets age they inevitably start to develop some arthritis, just like people do. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage of the joint wears down and causes inflammation, swelling and pain. As we come into winter here in Queensland, you may notice your pet is starting to slow down.

Signs of arthritis include stiffness when getting up or down, a reduction in activity, cats may not jump as much, licking or biting at the joints, limping, yelping when touched and your pet appearing less happy and playful.

While we can’t cure or reverse arthritis, we can help slow down and reduce the pain associated with it.
At Maleny Vet Services we use a multimodal approach to arthritis in patients with management plans including a combination of things such as:

• Pain management: We use safe and effective medications to manage your pet’s pain and discomfort.
• Weight management: Maintaining a healthy body condition is crucial to avoid extra stress on the joints.
• Physical therapy: Regular, low-impact exercise helps maintain muscles that support the joints. Swimming is an excellent non-weight-bearing exercise that encourages muscle development without putting strain on painful joints.
• Therapeutic diets and joint supplements: Specific joint diets and supplements such as omega 3s, fish oils and glucosamine help to promote healthy joint fluid and reduce inflammation.

If you think your pet may be suffering from joint stiffness or pain, give us a call on 07 5494 3622 or book a consultation online so we can start looking into developing an arthritis management plan that best suits your pet’s needs.