Our pets are part of our family and we all want to do the best for them, giving them the quality of life they deserve. As they get older some activities can become more challenging for them especially if the are beginning to suffer from stiffness in their joints and early stage arthritis. For dogs daily activities such as going for walks, climbing stairs and jumping in and out of the car can become a problem. Cats can have trouble jumping up on to surfaces, using the litter tray or even just grooming.

These problems are common in dogs and cats and it is estimated that 20% of all dogs and cats are affected by a joint problem of some sort, and as many as 95% of cats in their teenage years are affected by arthritis.

The joints themselves may have been damaged through an obvious cause, such as an injury or growth abnormality, or may have deteriorated through normal wear and tear. Whatever the reason, the end result is that the affected joint or joints become arthritic cannot move as freely as they once could and may be painful. This is often seen by the owner and vet as stiffness or lameness, depending on which joints are most affected.

There are many things we can do to help your pet stay active and possibly prevent these problems developing in the first place. Simple things like following a tailored, regular exercise program, making sure your pet is not overweight and even just providing a warm comfortable bed can all help.

Before any course of action is undertaken, we would need to do a thorough examination of your pet and this may include tests such as x-rays and blood tests so that a proper diagnosis/prognosis can be made.

We may recommend the use of a neutraceutical product, containing glucosamine and chondroitin. These daily supplements are now widely used in dogs and cats, as in people, to help maintain joint health. They can be used at any stage, and can be used together with prescription medicines that we may recommend. They have been shown in some circumstances to give equivalent pain relief to anti inflammatory drugs over the long term.

Synoquin is the joint supplement that this practice recommends. It contains high levels of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate. It comes as a palatable tablet or as a powder in a capsule to be mixed with food. It is not a prescription medicine so can be purchased over the counter with out seeing a vet first

If you think your pet might be having problems with their joints, such as stiffness or having trouble getting up please ask us for advice.

Click to read about the BVA Hip Scoring Scheme