Understanding Arthritis in Pets: A Guide to Helping Your Furry Friends

As the autumn season settles in and temperatures begin to drop, it's essential to pay extra attention to the well-being of our beloved pets, especially those who may be suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is a common condition in both dogs and cats, particularly as they age, but with the right care and management, we can help our furry companions stay comfortable and active throughout the season.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a progressive condition characterized by inflammation and deterioration of the joints. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility, making it challenging for pets to perform everyday activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs.

Recognizing the Signs

While pets may not be able to verbalize their discomfort, there are several signs that may indicate they are suffering from arthritis:

• Reluctance to move or play
• Limping or favoring one leg
• Stiffness, especially after resting
• Difficulty getting up or lying down
• Changes in behavior or mood, such as irritability or aggression, or just seeming “old”
• Noticeable swelling or heat in the joints

If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Managing Arthritis in Pets

While arthritis cannot be cured, there are several ways to manage the condition and improve your pet's quality of life:

1. Medication: Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers to help alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation in the joints. There are also medications that help preserve the health of the joints and slow the progression of arthritis.
2. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for pets with arthritis, as excess weight can put added stress on their joints. Controlled planned weight loss in an overweight pet can even be the most effective way of managing arthritis. We can recommend a balanced diet and exercise plan tailored to your pet's needs.
3. Supplements: Certain supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, may help support joint health and reduce inflammation in pets with arthritis. Discuss with us whether these supplements are appropriate for your pet.
4. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy techniques, such as massage, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic exercises, can help improve mobility, strengthen muscles, and relieve pain in pets with arthritis.
5. Environmental Modifications: Make adjustments to your home environment to make it easier for your arthritic pet to move around. This may include providing soft bedding, ramps or stairs for easier access to elevated surfaces, and non-slip surfaces to prevent falls.
6. Alternative Therapies: Some pet owners find relief for their arthritic pets through alternative therapies such as acupuncture, laser therapy, or chiropractic care. At Uralla Vet Clinic we offer acupuncture and laser treatments

Maximizing Herd Health: The Importance of Pregnancy Testing in Cattle

As autumn settles in we are well and truly into the swing of cattle preg testing. Preg testing is a valuable tool that allows producers to assess the reproductive status of their cows and make informed decisions for the future of their operation.

Why Preg Testing Matters

Pregnancy testing provides valuable information about the reproductive performance of individual cows and the overall fertility of the herd. By identifying empty (non pregnant) cows early, producers can take proactive measures to address reproductive inefficiencies, such as re-breeding, culling, or adjusting nutritional management.

We have been finding that the dry winter and spring last year have significantly impacted on preg testing results in the district. The poor feed conditions placed a lot of nutritional stress on cows coming out of winter and many cows were not cycling reliably until late November and December when the rain came and pastures improved. This has lead to more empty cows than usual, or a longer spread of pregnancies as many cows didn’t conceive during the first 2 cycles.

Preg testing your herd and identifying the empty cows, the late and early calvers can allow you to make vital decisions about how to best manage your stock and to best utilise the feed and water you have available. Educated decisions can then be made on whether to sell stock, or whether you will have enough feed to carry stock through the coming winter.

Benefits of Early Detection

We mainly use an ultrasound for pregnancy testing. The ultrasound has a number of benefits – it is very accurate and fast – in good yard setups we can preg test 100-120 head an hour. The ultrasound is less stress to the cattle, and less potential risk of losing very early pregnancies compared to manual palpation. Pregnancies can be picked up from 28 days of pregnancy. We recommend preg testing from 5-6 weeks after the bull is taken out from the cows.

Early detection of pregnancy offers several benefits for cattle producers:

• Optimized Breeding Management: Identifying empty cows early allows producers to re-breed them in a timely manner, maximizing reproductive efficiency and shortening the calving interval.
• Improved Herd Health: Removing non-pregnant cows from the herd reduces feed and maintenance costs associated with maintaining unproductive animals, while also minimizing the risk of disease transmission and overcrowding.
• Enhanced Genetic Selection: Pregnancy testing enables producers to make informed decisions about which animals to retain for breeding, focusing on those with proven fertility and desirable genetic traits.
• Identifying potential reproductive issues: Preg testing can help us pick up on potential issues such as bull breakdowns or reproductive diseases early and then make informed decisions. In recent years because of early preg testing we have been able to identify herds where bull fertility has been an issue, diagnosed vibrio and pestivirus and diagnosed significant nutritional deficiencies which have contributed to poor fertility rates. Bull testing before joining is highly recommended also

Random fact

Did you know that a group of cats is called a "clowder"? This term originates from the Old English word "clodder," meaning "to huddle together." So next time you see a group of cats lounging together, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of feline collective nouns!

Regional Livestock Issues

Three Day Sickness

This year has seen a number of cases of Three Day Sickness (a.k.a Bovine Ephemeral Fever). This is the first time in a number of years we have seen the illness.

Three-day sickness is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle. It is transmitted by biting insects particularly midges. The disease is characterized by sudden onset fever, lameness, and muscle stiffness, typically lasting for two to three days before resolving spontaneously.

Symptoms of Three-Day Sickness

• Fever: Affected cattle may exhibit a sudden spike in body temperature, often reaching 40-41°C.
• Lameness: Cattle may appear stiff or reluctant to move, particularly in the hind limbs, due to muscle stiffness and joint pain.
• Decreased Appetite: Infected animals may show a reduced interest in food and water, leading to decreased feed intake and potential weight loss.

Generalized Weakness: Cattle may appear lethargic or depressed, with a reluctance to engage in normal activities such as grazing or social interaction.

The insects that spread Three day Sickness can also spread the Akabane virus, so this calving season we may see calves born with deformities or neurological symptoms caused by Akabane

Management and Treatment

While three-day sickness typically resolves on its own within a few days, supportive care may be necessary to alleviate symptoms and ensure the well-being of affected cattle. Management strategies may include:

• Rest and Shelter: Provide affected cattle with a comfortable, sheltered environment to rest and recover from the illness.
• Pain Management: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be administered to relieve fever, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain associated with muscle stiffness.
• Hydration: Ensure access to clean, fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration, particularly during periods of fever and decreased feed intake.
• Vector Control: Implement measures to control biting insects and reduce the risk of transmission, such as insecticide treatment, environmental management, and avoiding areas of high insect activity.

Ovine Johnes Disease

Ovine Johnes is a bacterial disease that causes chronic diarrhoea and wasting in sheep, and leads to significant losses. It was thought not to occur in the New England tablelands, however it has now been diagnosed on a number of properties in the region. The Local Land Services vet, Emma Davis, is planning a producer information session on how to help prevent the disease entering your property, how to manage your flock if it does and information about the OJD vaccine. If you are interested in going on an email list to find out more please email Emma on emma.davis@lls.nsw.gov.au