With winter at our doorstep, cool conditions and cold kennels can affect the health of your dog team. Dogs with arthritis from working, injuries or just old age will be affected by the cold -just like their human owners! Joints, backs and hips can all tighten up and be stiff and sore, especially in the mornings. There are things you can do about this!
Firstly ensure kennels are warm and as free from drafts as possible. This won’t just help arthritic problems, it also helps keep condition on your dogs as they use less energy keeping warm. Consider putting bedding in the kennels for added warmth.
Arthritic dogs can benefit from daily treatment with anti-inflammatories (similar to Voltaren) which will free joints up and slow deterioration of the joints. These drugs can be used for prolonged periods with minimal side effects. Mobilise, a product developed from velvet, green lipped mussels and other ingredients known to assist in joint health is another option for some dogs. (Note however that human anti-inflammatories should never be used in dogs as these will cause liver and stomach problems).
Dog jackets, not always practical for the whole team but will keep older dogs and “favourites” warm and comfortable overnight and are surprisingly well tolerated by the wearer.