Winter has hit with a vengeance. In the past few weeks we have experienced very cold temperatures, welcomed rain and even snow in some areas of Australia.

For pets experiencing chronic illness, pain and arthritis, cold weather events are a challenge. For many of our older cherished pets, the cold weather simply tips them over the edge.

As we move in to Winter we are urging people to consider the health and wellbeing of their cherished pets through this challenging season.

1. Ask the question: Is my pet in pain?

While this is a hard question to ask, it’s one we want people to consider.  We see too many cherished pets who are dearly loved and valued by their families quietly suffer from the effects of arthritic pain and this is not through human neglect; too often it is a lack of awareness and action.

Remember, pets cannot tell us that they are in pain. Instead we have to learn to understand and look for the signs and symptoms they may display.

Often people assume that it is just that their cherished pet is getting old and slowing down.

But in fact, it can be pain that is causing your pet to appear like this. With the correct diagnosis and management your pet can get a new lease of pain-free life.

2. Request a Home Veterinary Assessment

In our experience a much better understanding of a pet’s health and wellbeing is gathered when we conduct a home based assessment.

When pets enter a vet clinic, their stress levels (usually) rise, adrenalin kicks in and true symptoms can be masked. At home, our pets are more relaxed and often they don’t realise they are being “assessed”. We start observing your pet from the minute we arrive, how they greet us, how they move, how they behave. Our comprehensive home assessments are one of our signature services and we love them because they make a difference! It also gives us a greater opportunity to connect to you.

By observing the home environment, spending more time with you and your pet, and asking tailored questions, we can truly get a better understanding of where things are at, and how we can improve and manage any issues that are observed including pain.

(Assessments can also be conducted in the hub if this is preferred)

3. Develop a Tailored Pet Care and Pain Management Plan

Managing pain in senior pets is not a one size fits all. It requires careful assessment and a multi-modal management plan that combines the use of lifestyle modifications, supplements, medications and other modalities such as massage and acupuncture.

At Cherished Pets we work with our pets and their people to develop an affordable and effective management plan for pain and arthritis (and other chronic conditions) that suits you.

4. Review Regularly

It’s important to keep monitoring the symptoms and pain levels as things can always change - the pain source can change and other factors can arise.

Through our home care and hospice program we provide ongoing care and support for pets who are in their end of life phases. Often pain and mobility are compounding factors during this phase. By being in our care, we ensure you receive the support and guidance you need, so that when things do eventually progress, we are there to walk the path with you.

For more information about our end of pet life service click here.