Brrrrrrrrr. I am not prophetic enough to know the weather as you are reading this article, but at the time of writing, it is chill-y. I am typing while wearing those fingerless gloves made famous by Fagan and Michael Jackson.
With the dip in temperatures, some of us are feeling our knees, hips, wrists and other arthritic joints seizing up and giving some pain. Without giving away their secrets, this is happening in your older, arthritic pet, as well.
Throughout the last few weeks, we have been happily administering injections to dogs and cats to give them respite from their arthritic pain. In dogs, the injection is called Librela® and in cats, it is called Solensia™.
These injections last for four weeks and are side-effect free. They also confer better arthritis relief than standard anti-inflammatories and cortisone, without the side effects which these can carry with them. All clients have reported fantastic results from these injections.
For arthritic joints, we have a myriad of other treatments. The two main ones are KimiMove supplements and Cartrophen Vet. Google this last one, for sure. It is the only medicine seen to slow down the effects of arthritic progressive changes.
The other thing that the cold snap has brought to our attention is the processionary caterpillar (see the lovely photo attached).
In the last few weeks, these hairy little chaps have come down from their pine tree houses and scuttled around on the ground. This is where our nosey canine friends will pick them up in their mouths. As their hairs imbed in the dog’s mucous membranes, a full-on anaphylactic reaction ensues. The tongue, especially, will swell to absurd sizes, often taking up the entire oral cavity with its swollen engorgement.
No jokes; this is a serious condition. If you see your dog’s tongue swelling, lots of drooling and the dog pawing at its mouth, call your vet! You need to get to a vet clinic for treatment. But as soon as you can, clean the oral cavity with a damp towel and try to remove as many of these hairs as you can to minimise further swelling.
So, look out for hairy caterpillars, and if you are the proud owner of a retirement-age cat or dog, consider coming to your vet for a pain-relieving jab for your little furry mate.
See you in March!
Lagos Vet Clinic – LVC
+351 282 782 282
