Best Friends Veterinary Group
Newsletter
AUTUMN
2010
Arthritis
in Pets
Summer is drawing to a close and soon our English
weather will turn chilly and damp outside. Unfortunately the
cold damp weather can exacerbate joint problems in people
and animals alike. So here’s a bit about the condition, what
to look for and what can be done to treat pets with Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease,
is the most common form of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic and progressive
condition of the joints, where the joint
cartilage which normally forms a pad on
the end of each bone, breaks down and
the bone surfaces rub against each other.
This causes swelling, stiffness, pain and loss
of movement in the joint.
Osteoarthritis can be caused by an old
Special Offers
September
Free Dental check with
Pet Smile Month and 20% off
all dental procedures
September - November
£5 off any size bag of Royal Canin
Mobility or Royal Canin Calm food
Buy 3 get 1 FREE
on Milbemax Chewable wormers for
dogs and Milbemax Tasty for cats
Recommend a Friend
- Receive a £5 credit to your account when
a friend registers at the same practice. Pick
up a leaflet at your local surgery or go
online to www.bestfriendsgroup.com
joint injury or simply through the
wear and tear on joints over a lifetime.
Commonly affected joints are the hips,
knees, elbows and spine, though any joint
can develop arthritis.
Are There Any Warning Signs with
Arthritis to Look Out For?
It is important to realise that the initial signs
of joint pain may not be obvious to
recognise. For example temperament
changes – grumpiness with other animals
or people, increased anxiety and clinginess
or reduced interaction, are often attributed
to other causes or may not be recognised
as particularly significant at all. Often signs
may just be attributed to normal aging as
your dog slows down and is less active
than before, or your cat is no longer able to
jump up onto the fence. You might notice
that your dog takes a bit longer to get up,
especially the day after a long walk or some
particularly crazy ball chasing in the park, or
your cat might change her grooming habits
– a previously glossy coat might be looking
a tad unkempt.
If you are concerned about joint pain in
your pet you should discuss this with your
Vet, who will be able to examine your
animal’s joints, assessing the range of
movement and feeling for crepitus or
crunchiness in the joints. An x-ray of any
suspect joints can reveal extra bone growth
and misshapen bones, which are indicative
of arthritic changes.
What can be done to treat or
manage Arthritis in Pets?
Treatment options available include joint
supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin
and omega oils, anti-inflammatory
medicines and weekly injections to support
the remaining cartilage. Acupuncture can
also be very effective in some animals to
control their pain levels and improve
mobility and quality of life. Surgical options
like hip replacements are also possible but,
of course, surgery is not an option suitable
for every dog or cat.
It’s not all about treatment – daily routine
and management should play a big part in
managing osteoarthritis. For example it is
important to keep to constant daily levels of
exercise, weight loss can also be very
important in helping slow down the
progression of joint pain in heavier animals.
Special diets have been developed with the
joints in mind – for example Royal Canin
Mobility Support – this diet is enriched with
chondroitin and glucosamine, omega fatty
acids, antioxidants and the unique Green
Lipped Mussel.
The discomfort that can be caused by
osteoarthritis should not be underestimated.
It is an incredibly common condition,
especially in older animals, and if you have
any doubts about whether your pet is
suffering from chronic joint pain, whether
they’re noticeably limping or not, do let
your Vet know.
No person or animal should have to
suffer any chronically painful condition
without treatment, and often only when
treatment is initiated do we realise the
extent to which a pet’s quality of life was
being affected by pain.
In many animals treatment makes a
real difference – so your old creaky dogs
and cats could enjoy playing with their
Christmas presents even more this year!
Making Fireworks
Less Frightening
Surgery Numbers
Billericay
01277 651009
Chatteris
01354 692309
Chingford
0208 524 6326
Dagenham
0208 595 5818
Holbech
01406 426222
Isle of Dogs 0207 536 7555
Leicester
01162 517677
March
01354 653435
Mile End
0207 790 4599
Milton Keynes
01908 270144
Oakham
01572 770011
Fireworks can be incredibly frightening to many pets, but
with a bit of forward planning there are lots of things you
can do to help keep your furry friends safe, calm and happy.
It’s not just those characters with a generally nervous disposition
who can be scared, even the normally-laid-back family Labrador
can become a trembling wreck once those bangs start. Signs of
distress can vary quite widely between individual animals. Some
show really obvious signs of fear and agitation including
increased panting, hiding, trembling and attention seeking
behaviour. Signs can range from pacing, destructive behaviour
and barking to depression and an unwillingness to move.
Pre-Fireworks Night
In the short-term, there are products available that have been
designed to help your cat or dog to cope with stressful
situations. For example for dogs DAP sprays, diffusers and collars
work by releasing a synthetic version of a natural pheromone
that is released by a bitch shortly after she has given birth. This
pheromone reassures newborn puppies and it has been shown
to help calm adult dogs as well. For cats a similar product called
Feliway is available.
Zylkene tablets contain a milk protein that creates a calming effect
in a similar way to the tranquiliser Valium (but without the side
effects). Special diets such as Royal Canin’s Calm range are also
available. Calm contains a milk protein with stress-regulating
properties and a serotonin precursor, a neurotransmitter with an
essential role in the regulation of anxiety. Both need administering
well before any stressful event and you should speak to your Vet to
discuss these options.
Desensitising CDs for firework-phobic dogs are available as a
long-term potential solution to ease the stress of sudden loud
noise. The CDs should be played regularly as a background
noise. The idea is to start off very quietly, at a level your dog is
comfortable with, and aim to increase the volume over a period
of weeks and months.
www.bestfriendsgroup.com
A Big Thank You to Royal Canin who have
helped make this newsletter possible.
Advice for on Fireworks Night
It’s important to keep your dog inside once the fireworks start, so
plan ahead and make sure any exercise and toileting is out of the
way in good time.
Keep your garden gate and doors shut, and make sure your dog’s
wearing his collar and tag just in case he bolts in fear and escapes.
It’s important not to punish any signs of stress or fear and
remember to stay calm yourself. Don’t over fuss your dog as this
could indicate that there is indeed something to be frightened of.
Close the curtains and turn up the tv or radio nice and loud.
You could try distraction techniques with their favourite game or
toy or a treat.
Make sure there’s a cosy place where your dog can hide and
feel secure, some dogs will appreciate a den created under the
kitchen table or a blanket on the floor behind the sofa.
Also your dog is likely to feel safer if you’re around so don’t
leave them alone.
Unfortunately firework parties are not confined to one evening.
Depending on your location it can be an ongoing problem at
this time of year so if you would like any advice, then please pop
into your local Vets for a chat.
Kids Corner
September - November 2010
What do dogs wag their
tails to show?
1
Oakhill
0208 527 0034
Peterborough, Broadway
01733 562904
Rainham
01708 555788
Romford
01708 762266
South Woodham Ferrers
01245 321717
Shenfield
01277 221193
Sawtry
01487 830595
Thrapston
01832 731731
Whittlesey
01733 208090
Yaxley
01733 243000
Correctly answer the below questions and please
send to the below address with your contact
details for your chance to win a behind the scenes
tour of your local surgery!
What breed is the dog in
the picture?
3
What do cats traditionally
chase?
5
❍
Happiness
❍
Labradoodle
❍
Elephants
❍
Sadness
❍
Labrador
❍
Mice
❍
Grumpiness
❍
Lhaso Apso
❍
PIgs
2
It is said that cats have?
4
How many Best Friends Vets
are there?
How often should cats and
dogs normally be treated to
prevent fleas?
6
❍
Nine lives
❍
15
Nine legs
❍
❍
Once a week
❍
21
❍
Once a fortnight
❍
Nine livers
❍
11
❍
Once a month
Winner to be drawn at random on 1st December 2010. Please send entries to: Kids Corner Competition, 46 Huntly Grove, Peterborough, Cambs PE1 4DB