Keeping Mobile as we Age
Mobility Aids-Keeping Our Older Friends On Their Feet
Mobility restriction in older pets
Stiffness and mobility issues can become more apparent as our pets age. We might think that this is a normal part of aging, but there are many things that we can do to help with mobility and starting them early can help to keep our pets stronger and on their feet for much longer
Arthritis and neurological deterioration are the main reasons for a decline in mobility but conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia, infection, trauma, ligament injury, allergic conditions, auto-immune (rheumatoid) diseases and cancer. can all play a role in declining mobility
Commonly in older pets, or pets that have suffered a joint injury we diagnose osteoarthritis, otherwise known as degenerative joint disease. This is a progressive problem caused by the gradual loss of the joint cartilage and results in the developments of bony spurs at the margins of the joints.
A normal joint has smooth cartilage and is lubricated by thick joint fluid. An arthritic joint has a rough cartilage which "grinds" against the opposing surface leading to further damage. Degeneration may continue until cartilage is worn away. Arthritic joints are painful.
Pain then stops pets from moving as much because they alter their behaviour to accommodate the discomfort.
Signs of arthritis include joint swelling, stiffness, reluctance to move, limping, lagging behind on walks, or difficulty rising from rest. Sometimes a pet will cry out in pain when touched, protective about certain body parts or become depressed and withdrawn.
What can we do to help?
Pain Control
Pain control is at the top of the priority list for all patients with declining mobility
If they are in pain, they will change their behaviour. This may be quite slow in onset and not noticed in the early stages
A pain management plan needs to be tailored to each individual patient and needs to be closely monitored before any physical exercises are attempted
Surgery
If there has been damage to ligaments or cartilage surgery may be recommended to remove torn cartilage and improve joint stability. The aim of surgery is to restore function and thereby minimise progression of the arthritis.
Weight Control
Obesity worsens arthritic conditions and mobility by increasing the load on each joint and so successful weight control is absolutely essential to the management of mobility restrictions. Successful weight reduction will often result in a much diminished need for medication.
Diet & Additives
Diet plays an important part in the health and function of joints.
Hills make a prescription diet called J/D (Joint Diet). It has been provides optimum nutrition for dogs with arthritis and can make a significant difference to many dogs.
Dietary additives are of two broad groupings.
Firstly there are those that have an anti-inflammatory effect. These are those that contain omega 3 & omega 6 fatty acids. We recommend Paw Osteosupport as it is made from green lipped mussel, (not shark cartilage) and is formulated with doses for dogs and cats.
Secondly there are those that provide the building blocks for joints. These are the products that contain glucosamines & chondroitins. We recommend Paw Osteocare as it is a product made for animals with tested animal doses.
Bedding
A comfortable bed for an arthritic pet is low to the ground, preferably without any sides to step over. Super soft bedding can be hard to walk in and increase tripping risks to older or mobility restricted patients.
A range of beds have been designed for pets with arthritis which we can order in. The best beds are those made out of high density foam. Some also incorporate magnets into the cover of the bed. The easiest test for if the bed is firm enough is to kneel on the bedding and be unable to feel the floor with your knees through the bedding. This means the foam is resilient enough to offer support but not allow pressure sores to develop. If your pet is totally unable to get up and you are managing them at home, your will need to roll your pet over at least every 2-4 hours to reduce the risk of bed sores.
Exercise
Exercise is important to maintain muscle strength and for mental stimulation. If your pet is having trouble with their exercise regimen, speak to us about a modified programme that would be more beneficial.
Physiotherapy
Most arthritic pets will benefit from physiotherapy and we often refer patients to Michelle Monk and her team at Dogs in Motion, who are physiotherapists that have been working with animals for many years. Physiotherapy can improve mobility and help build muscle strength. An underwater treadmill is a great way to provide low impact exercise. See www.dogsinmotion.com.au for more information
Acupuncture
Using either needles or laser, acupuncture may give pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects over long periods. Five weekly treatments are given in most cases and then ongoing maintenance therapy every 4-6 weeks if going well. This service is offered at our East Melbourne practice currently.
Mobility Aids
Grip Aids
Slipping on wooden or tiled floors can be a very challenging part of looking after mobility restricted pets. Making sure our longer haired friends have the hair between their pads trimmed is a good start.
There are several products that might be able to help.
1. EZ-Paws are socks that have a rubber dipped toe that can be very helpful for added grip. They need to be fairly firm on the foot so that they don't slip around on the paws, but the grip is 360 around the toes so even if they do slip a little they can still help get your pet up off the floor
2. Paw Friction is a rubberised pellet that can be glued onto the pads of your pet to give them more grip. Some dogs cope better with this than others and it does need to be reapplied regularly to ensure good grip is maintained
3. Dr Buzby's toe grips are little rubber bands that can be attached to the toenails on each foot to help with grip.
You may need to try several different options for find what works best for your pet.
Harnesses.
A good harness to help with aiding pets to their feet is a Help Em Up harness. They have both chest and hind limb sections and while they are a bit tricky to get on initially, once you get them fitted correctly they can help with walks by giving gentle help in the back end for instance if your pet starts to get a bit weak or has trouble getting into the car etc https://helpemup.com/. They help look after your own back as well as they reduce the bending and lifting. You need to make sure you use good lifting practices to look after your own help if you are helping larger immobile patients get up off the floor.
Ramps and car steps
Getting your larger dog in and out of the car can be a challenge.
A ramp can be helpful. It needs to be sturdy, easy to clean and with a good grippy surface. You may need to take some time to introduce your pet to going up and down the ramp. Start with it flat on the ground and use treats to encourage your pet to use it and gradually increase the angle until they are comfortable navigating the ramp. The harness can he helpful here to give them a bit of extra security
Another product that can he helpful if you have a tow ball on your car is a "Twist step". https://twistep.com/. This is a step that folds up under the car while you are driving and then you can twist it into position to help your pet down or up into the car as required.
Toileting aids
There are a multitude of nappies and incontinence aids available online on Amazon and Etsy made by very crafty people that can help to keep your house and your pets bedding clean if incontinence is a problem. There are also some medications that can help and acupuncture can also be helpful in this issue as well.
Padding
Sometimes immobile pets can develop pressure sores on their elbows or hocks that can be very swollen and sometimes become infected. https://www.dogleggs.com/ Dogleggs is a company that makes wraps and braces for pets. They have a large array of helpful products. Feel free to browse their website or call the clinic to discuss your pets' needs with us so we can point you in the right direction.
Strollers
Smaller dogs still like to go out, even if they can't walk as far as they used to. A pet stroller can be a safe way of getting them out for fresh air, while not stressing sore and tired joints too much. https://www.petstrollersaustralia.com.au/ is an Australian website that has lots of options available in this category.
As always, we are here for you and your pet if you have any questions for need further guidance.