Arthritis is one of the most common conditions our older canine companions. With winter well and truly here, you might notice they’re feeling the cold a bit more than usual. Arthritis is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage cushioning the joints breaks down over time and leads to bone changes causing inflammation and pain.

While we humans can recognise joint pain and seek help, our dogs rely on us to notice their discomfort and support them where we can. Some of the more recognisable signs of arthritis in dogs include:

- Stiff or limping, especially after rest or exercise
- Licking affected joints
- Loss of muscle mass (especially in back legs) or swollen joints
- Lagging behind on walks
- Sleeping in unusual places
- Aggression or irritability with family members or other pets

One of the upsides to arthritis in dogs is that we have many management strategies available, allowing for a multi-modal approach to care.

1. Weight loss: We might hate to hear it, but weight loss is the best thing we can do for our larger arthritic pets, and the best bit is that it is one of the cheapest and safest methods of treating arthritis! Reducing excess weight decreases the strain on joints, improves comfort, and slows further damage.

2. Regular exercise:Tailored, low-impact exercise such as lead walks or swimming, can help build/maintain the muscles needed for support, whilst providing valuable mental stimulation. Physiotherapy can also work wonders, and this is something you can learn to do yourself or we often recommend the lovely Kelly Ratcliff at Adelaide Animal Rehab & Wellness who does in-home consults and physiotherapy.

3. Supplements: Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, rose hip, green-lipped mussel, and omega-3 fatty acids can be used safely to help reduce discomfort. At Gawler Animal Hospital the supplement we recommend most commonly (and use for our own pets) is 4cyte Epiitalis gel.

4. Modifications to your house/environment: These can make a huge difference for our patients with more advanced arthritis.
- Do you have slippery floors? Carpet runners or mats can improve traction. Some clients also have success with non-slip paw protectors.
- Could raise their food and water bowels so they don’t have to bend down so far?
- Would ramps into the car or onto furniture make moving around easier?
- Make sure your dog has a warm, soft bed that cushions their joints and keeps them off cold floors.

5. Medications as required: We're lucky to have a wide range of medications that can help when lifestyle changes and supplements aren’t enough. There’s no one-size fits all solution, so we’ll always taper our medication plans to your individual dogs needs.

If you suspect your canine friend might be struggling with arthritis and feeling the cold a bit more this winter, please don’t hesitate to give our team a call to organise a consult with a vet and help make a plan to keep them comfy!

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