New relief for older pets 

Arthritis is one of the most common problems we see in older dogs and cats. Just like in humans, joints wear out with age. 

Wear and tear can be made worse by other factors too: excessive exercise in working or athletic dogs, obesity and body shape in some breeds of dogs. 

Despite their flexibility, cats are not im-mune from arthritis either. Spinal arthritis is often a real problem in later years. 

Signs of arthritis are reduced mobility or lameness. Often owners report that their pet is no longer able to jump onto a chair or into the car. They are often quieter. 

As with human joint disease we often recommend x-rays which not only confirm the disease but enable targeted treatment and better advice going forward. 

The good news is that there is a lot we can do to make a loved pet’s life with arthritis much better, both in reducing pain, and improving mobility and lifestyle. 

Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have long been recognized as helpful in reducing joint inflammation and pain in arthritic pets. Now the new product Antinol takes these advantages further, with both better refine-ment and concentration of the active fatty acids. 

The source of Antinol is New Zealand green lipped mussel, and being a natural food product, there are no side effects, no risk of overdosage, and it is completely safe in older animals, even those with kidney disease. 

Of course there are other treatments for arthritis as well. Pentosan injections provide relief for many dogs with arthritis. Pentosan is both anti-inflammatory, but it also acts to improve lubrication within the joint. 

As in human medicine there are powerful prescription only medicines for both dogs and cats with arthritis. These act to reduce pain, and improve mobility and well-being. Side effects are rare, but must be carefully considered. Often blood tests are needed to check kidney health before prescribing them. 

All 3 treatments—Antinol, Pentosan and Prescription Medicines—can be used in combination. 

If you think your pet has arthritis, a check up with one of our gentle, caring vets is absolutely the best step. It’s critical to confirm the diagnosis, then target treat-ments accordingly. 

In caring for a pet with arthritis, it’s also important to consider lifestyle factors. Weight control, diet, adjustment of activity levels and expectations, soft bedding and warmth are also key issues our vets will discuss with you. 

Devoted Vets – Absolutely devoted to your animal's health & wellbeing, your devoted vets servicing Warragul and Drouin