Everyone knows someone who claims they can always tell when it is going to rain, because their knee, neck, back, or other joint hurts. For some, it is written off as an “old wives tale.” But is it true? If it is true, is my dog’s arthritis worse in the cold? Are they more painful during the winter?
Here in and around Boston, we are having a winter that is reminiscent of the snowpocolypse winter of 2014. We had nearly 2 feet of snow fall in 48 hours, with reportedly more to come. In addition to navigating your dog’s simple ability to go outside, or the opposite, people with cold-blooded dogs that can’t be convinced to go inside, how is all this snow and cold affecting our pets?
Most likely, yes. Studies in people have shown that the change in barometric pressure associated with weather changes can change the viscosity of joint fluid. This proteinaceous, composed of hyaluronic acid and other compounds, becomes less fluid and more like “sludge.” Cold weather also causes vasoconstriction, or reduced blood flow, leading to decreased blood flow to muscle groups. When it is -8 degrees outside, we are likely to spend less time outdoors, leading to decreased exercise. We know exercise helps turnover joint fluid, increase muscle mass, and stimulates the body to produce powerful endorphins. With a decrease in exercise, combined with the physiological effects of the cold itself, winter can mean increased joint, muscle, and back pain in our dogs and cats.
Our pets can’t tell us if they are in pain, but they can show us. Does your dog seem to have more difficulty rising on colder days? Are they unable to stay outside long due to salty paws? This may be due to pain from osteoarthritis, injury, or illness.
Here at Sea Legs, we dive deep into your pet’s history to look for red flags for injury or illness. We do a detailed physical, neurological, and orthopedic examination to determine if your pet is in pain, find the potential problem areas, and create a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plan for your dog or cat. We can create an indoor home exercise plan or perform in-clinic rehabilitation (pet physical therapy). We also have tools like laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and acupuncture to treat pain and improve comfort and quality of life. If you are concerned that your pet is in more pain this winter, contact us to schedule a pain assessment. We can help your pet navigate this winter together!