Australian pet owners have been warned about the dangers of freezing temperatures, increasing arthritis-related problems in dogs.
Karishma Dahia, the senior veterinarian for the Animal Welfare League, told NCA NewsWire she had seen a 20 percent increase in consultations for arthritis-related issues in dogs in Queensland following the state’s cold snap.
“I’d say we’ve seen a 20 percent increase in consultations for osteoarthritis in middle-aged to older dogs, about seven years older in the winter,” she said.
“The colder weather seems, I think, to promote deterioration of the osteoarthritic spine, so dogs seem to get a little stiffer and stand up more slowly.”
The vet said that although arthritis was common in all canines, she mainly treated larger dog breeds such as Labradors, German Shepherds, and Staffies for the condition.
Camera IconShane Conaghan and Bianca Dewit dress their pets in wooly winter warmers on an early morning walk. Credit: News Corp Australia, NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
Professor Bob Doneley of the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science told NCA NewsWire that arthritis was a degeneration of the joints that caused articular cartilage to erode.
“Usually it is an age-related problem, as both the bone around the joint itself is affected and age is a factor of diet and veterinary care,” he said.
“All pets have the same aging problems as humans, including heart disease, kidney problems, cancer, and arthritis.”
“I don’t think you can prevent arthritis, but you can reduce its severity. And you can certainly reduce the effects on the animal’s quality of life.”
Some common signs of arthritis in dogs include difficulty climbing stairs or jumping in the car, doing circles before sitting down, and even muscle spasms that cause the hind legs to twitch.
Camera icon The number of pets requiring help with arthritis-related problems in Melbourne has more than tripled since the start of winter. Delivered Credit: Delivered
The warning follows a Victorian clinic reporting a 230 percent increase in patients with arthritic animals in recent months as temperatures dropped.
While there are misconceptions that dogs in Queensland are better off than in the country’s southern states, the vet said many of the homes in the Sunshine State are built to keep out the heat.
“If you look at houses in NSW, Victoria, they are built for the colder weather,” said M.s Dahia.
“I think many people don’t have heating because it’s only cold for a few months in Queensland, while in the south, it’s cold all year round, of course.”
Owner Bianca de Wit told NCA NewsWire that she outfitted her two dogs in “pajamas” at night and even had raincoats they could wear on a windy day.
“We use fleece blankets and thick winter coats for early morning walks to keep them warm, which seems to help,” she said.
