As summer begins to come to a close in the Barberton, Ohio and Kent, Ohio areas, the once warm temperatures can become cold and uncomfortable for your pet. For senior pets, cold can be even more troublesome –especially if they have arthritis! Although arthritis is often considered to be a human condition, arthritis in dogs and cats is just as common. Unfortunately, our pets are rarely able to let us know when they are in pain. Luckily, there are a few symptoms you can look for to determine if your cat or dog is developing pet arthritis:
- Limping
- Favoring one leg over another
- Difficulty getting comfortable
- Visibly sore, stiff, or swollen joints
- Loss of flexibility
- Walking stiffly
- And More
As part of routine winter care for pets, bring your cat or dog to Uniontown Veterinary Clinic near North Canton, Ohio at the first sign of these symptoms. With years of experience in the industry, their highly-trained veterinary staff can examine your cat or dog to determine if arthritis is the cause of their discomfort. Should arthritis be determined as the cause of their symptoms, know that there are many arthritis treatments for pets available that can help alleviate their pain and have them feeling comfortable throughout the year.
One of the most common arthritis treatments for pets –specifically dogs—prescribed by veterinarians are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Through use of these NSAIDs, your pet is able to exercise more often, which helps them maintain and improve their muscle strength. As arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and swelling, being able to build this muscle to help hold these joints together can help reduce the amount of pain they experience during cold weather. However, cats are unable to use NSAIDs and may be prescribed corticosteroids as a form of arthritis pain medication instead. More natural supplements such as Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin may also be used to help alleviate the pain of arthritis in dogs and cats. Unlike NSAIDs, these supplements do not have the potential to cause kidney or liver damage.
Alongside these arthritis treatments for pets, Uniontown Veterinary Clinic’s knowledgeable veterinary staff is happy to provide you with additional treatment options based on your pet’s health that can be performed at your Kent area home. For example, if your pet is overweight, your veterinarian may suggest changing their diet or exercise routine to help reduce this excess weight. By allowing your pet to return to a healthier weight, you can help relieve some of the pressure they have on their joints.
Another way to help reduce your pet’s arthritis pain during the winter months is to make sure they stay warm. One way to do this is to provide them with a well-padded bed in a warm location in your Barberton or Louisville area home. Other methods include providing them with a pet-safe heated blanket in their bed or allowing them to wear clothing that helps cover their aching joints. If you would like to learn about additional forms of winter care for pets with arthritis, schedule an appointment for your cat or dog at Uniontown Veterinary Clinic near North Canton.
After all, no two cats or dogs are alike—and neither is their arthritis pain! In order to determine which of these arthritis treatments for pets are right for your cat or dog, bring them to Uniontown Veterinary Clinic for a full examination. Here, pet arthritis can be fully diagnosed in your pet and a treatment plan designed specifically for them can be prescribed. Even if your pet is not showing symptoms of arthritis during the cold weather, it’s still important to schedule them a health exam as part of routine winter care for pets that live inside and outside of your Kent, Ohio home.
Would you like to learn more about arthritis in dogs and cats and how you can help them cope in the comfort of your own Barberton, Ohio or Louisville, Ohio home? For additional information on pet arthritis and possible treatments for your cat or dog this winter, contact the professional veterinary staff of Uniontown Veterinary Clinic near North Canton, Ohio at 330.699.9937! Otherwise, feel free to visit www.uniontownvet.com today!
Uniontown Veterinary Clinic
3435 Grovemont St NW
Uniontown, Ohio 44685
www.uniontownvet.com
330.699.9937