ASK A VET: Keeping pets cosy during cold snaps 

Q. Our Labrador has been a bit stiff and slower than normal – is this just the cold weather, or something more?

As the cold snap continues, you may have noticed your senior pet moving a little slower than usual.

Cold weather can really affect our golden oldies, especially those with arthritic joints or a lower body fat percentage. While some stiffness is normal with age, it can also be a sign of osteoarthritis, which is highly common in older dogs and cats. Early recognition and management can make a huge difference to their quality of life.

Here are some tips to help your older pets stay comfortable during winter:

· Avoid icy and slippery surfaces – boots can help improve grip and reduce muscle strain from slipping.

· Use coats and jumpers for extra warmth, even inside, as houses cool overnight.

· Avoid cold rivers for swimming, as the cold water can stiffen muscles and joints, and climbing banks can flare up painful joints.

· Watch out for stiffness, which is often the first sign of osteoarthritis. If you notice this, visit your vet for a pain relief trial, to check if discomfort is impacting your pet’s daily life.

· Try heat packs. Wheat bags or covered hot water bottles can soothe sore muscles and joints.

· Keep them dry. Ensure their coats are dry, as wet coats can worsen stiffness.

At Bishopton Vets, we’re here to support your pet through winter and beyond. We’ve recently launched our Mobility Clinics, designed to help pets suffering from a chronic condition or recovering from an illness or injury to live life more comfortably.

Our Mobility Clinics are the start of a patient’s rehabilitation journey, as the first step in the process of dealing with chronic conditions.

During these friendly consultations, skilled nurses will take a comprehensive look at the causes of the problem and examine your pet’s lifestyle, allowing us to create a tailored plan for what will work best to alleviate symptoms and help them get back to enjoying their life.

We will make a plan and bring in the relevant teams to ensure a holistic approach to your pet’s condition. This may include:

· Acupuncture: Gentle needle therapy to promote healing, relieve pain and promote overall wellness.

· Laser therapy: A non-invasive treatment that uses light therapy to stimulate the body’s natural healing.

· Regenerative medicine: Targeted injections to support joint recovery and function.

· Physiotherapy: Exercises and treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, and aid recovery from injury or surgery.

For members of our Lifetime Care Club, the Mobility Clinic assessment is included as part of your plan, making it easier than ever to prioritise your pet’s wellbeing.

Whether your pet is managing a chronic condition or recovering from injury, we provide an integrated approach, combining expertise and compassion to ensure every patient is treated as an individual. Together, we can help your pets enjoy life to the fullest, no matter the weather! 

Please call your nearest Bishopton Vets on 01347 821377 to speak with one of the team.