Ccccold Weather & Arrrrrthrrritis: Top 10 Tips for Joint Support

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Ccccold Weather & Arrrrrthrrritis: Top 10 Tips for Joint Support

 

Videos:

How to Diagnose Osteoarthritis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86yO68DuuC8&t=3s

What is Osteoarthritis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PiXNSKsdm8

Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfjFkdAx6qg&t=1s

 

 

As our pets age, they may suffer from arthritis. It can be a painful condition and is usually noticeable as a stiff gait first thing in the morning (often worse in cold weather), which improves with a bit of exercise or movement.

 

Arthritis describes inflammation in a joint and may be attributable to many factors. It is generally a progressive condition, but we can do a great deal to slow the course of the disease and make your pet a lot more comfortable for the rest of his/her days.

 

  1. Keep your pet’s weight under control. Carrying around extra baggage is a huge burden on the joints and lightening their load will help them to function better and cut down on their pain.

 

  1. Ensure that your pet eats good quality food with optimal amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are natural anti-inflammatories, helps them to maintain a good weight and joint health. Supplementing their diet with omega 3 fatty acids (found in flax oil and cold-water fish), ideally with high quality supplements is a fabulous aid to support joint function and just making this change can make a noticeable difference to many animals.

 

  1. Chondroprotective (joint protecting) agents called polysulphated glucosaminoglycans (P-Gags) like glucosamine. These are naturally occurring substances found in green lipped mussel extract and other sources. There are many supplements available but as with all supplements it is important to remember that they aren’t all created equal, some work better than others and may be more appropriate for your animal than others. An injectable form of P-gags / Glucosamine that can be used alone or in conjunction with the above, it too can work wonders.

 

  1. Proanthocyanidins, another invaluable nutrient from grapeseed or pinebark extract act as powerful anti-oxidants which assist joint function and well-being.

 

  1. Herbs and plant extracts like ginger, celery, boswelia, garlic (1 medium sized clove per 25 kg), Epitalis and turmeric can also be valuable therapeutic aids.

 

  1. Massage of the tight muscles trying to compensate for the pain is very helpful as these are frequently tired and sore. Gentle massage is loved by most animals and helps to stimulate circulation.

 

  1. Gentle, low impact Exercise, such as swimming (hydrotherapy) or walks on the beach, is of vital importance to help keep supporting muscles strong and contribute to general well-being.

 

  1. Tender loving care, warm and comfortable bedding and regular grooming as many arthritic cats don’t groom themselves properly and long nails can cause discomfort and make walking more difficult.

 

  1. Complementary therapy options such as Stem Cell Therapy, magnetic therapy, homeopathy and herbal medicine, acupuncture, the Neurological Integration System (NIS) and hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as well as musculo-skeletal therapies such as chiropractics and Bowen therapy, which have proven to be very valuable aids for our patients.

 

 

  1. Pain Relief: When none of these changes are making enough of a difference, we make use of painkillers such as Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications, which may occasionally have side effects, to ease pain but can have considerable benefits in improving quality of life.

 

With a comprehensive treatment plan, a great deal of quality can be added to your pet’s life.