Despite all the care and attention that we lavish on them, sometimes our furry friends can develop issues and problems that may cause them discomfort and pain.
Here, Wendy Vaughan, one of the UK’s leading practicing Veterinary Physiotherapists, and founder of the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy which trains the next generation of practitioners, shares her expert guidance.
Orthopaedic problems might more often be associated with larger breed dogs, however, they can affect our Westies also, and could be a cause of ongoing discomfort and chronic pain.
One common orthopaedic issue, which can be related to a number of conditions is arthritis.
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs, affecting 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old, and up to 35% of dogs of all ages (Canine Arthritis Management).
Two common arthritis related conditions in Westies include luxating patella and hip dysplasia.
Luxating patella is common in Westies, a condition where the patella, or kneecap, moves out of place. We may see it present as a “skip”, or where the dog may be unable to stand on the affected limb. Over time, this can lead to arthritis in the knee, or “stifle” joint.
Another condition that can affect our Westies is hip dysplasia. This condition begins in young dogs, where the hip socket has some instability, leading to arthritic changes in our older dogs. The Orthopaedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 500 West Highland White Terriers and found over 12% dysplastic.
Arthritis can cause chronic pain. Whilst we would all hate to think of our dogs in any pain, in reality, we might not always be the best at spotting it. So, what do we need to look out for?
Chronic pain does not present in the same was as acute, or sudden pain. Dogs will seldom yelp and may not even limp with chronic pain. So how do we spot it?
Dogs experiencing chronic pain may react in various ways. Some may withdraw, become less sociable, become sensitive to noise and other stimulation, resist handling, and even begin to show signs of aggression.
They may just generally slow down and sleep more. Some may lose their appetite and might even seem depressed. You may see your dog licking or chewing at a painful joint. A dog experiencing chronic pain may also show changes in their breathing and can pant more than usual.
More physical signs, beyond the obvious limping, can include general stiffness, slowing down on walks, reluctance to jump into and out of cars, on and off sofas and beds or to go up and down stairs. They may, however, also just show a general restlessness, being unsettled, restless or seeming uncomfortable in their own beds, or changing where they usually sit and sleep.
The guys at Canine Arthritis Management have great information and resources to help you identify signs of chronic pain in your dog. However, a key message would be to not ignore any change in your dog’s behaviour. Anything unusual or out of the ordinary for them could be a clue.
So what do you do if you think your dog is experiencing chronic pain due to arthritis? Well, the first thing must always be to take your pet to see their vet. Only a vet can properly diagnose the problem. Once diagnosed, they can give appropriate advice on treatment and pain relief.
Working alongside the vet as part of what is referred to as the multidisciplinary team, you can seek the help and support of Veterinary Physiotherapists and Canine Hydrotherapists.
Veterinary Physiotherapy has an important role to play in helping to manage pain, maintain healthy movement and improve ongoing quality of life for your pets. This can include manual therapies such as massage, or electrotherapies such as LASER or INDIBA for example.
Your Veterinary Physiotherapist can also advise on appropriate management changes and routines to help your Westie live their best life.
To find out more about the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy go to www.academyvetphys.com
