Essex vets plea to help fight silent killer of dogs – Essex Live

An Essex vet is urging pet owners to be diligent about changes in their dogs behaviour in the fight against canine arthritis.

It can be as uncomfortable in dogs as it is in humans, yet many people dont know how to spot the signs of arthritis in pets - a condition thats been dubbed a silent killer for dogs.

Now an Essex-based vet is leading a campaign to help dog lovers spot the early signs of the common health issue.

Hannah Capon, who has devoted her career to helping people understand canine arthritis better, says around 35 per cent of the estimated 12 million pet dogs in the UK are believed to be suffering from arthritis, including 80 per cent of dogs over eight years old.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, where cartilage within a joint such as the hip or elbow becomes damaged, causing the bones in the joint to rub together when a dog is moving.

Left unchecked, it can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness, and in some cases premature euthanasia, as dogs lose their quality of life. It really is the silent killer, says Capon.

Its a leading cause of dog euthanasia; a cruel fate, especially because the dog may have been showing signs of problems for a long time and owners just havent noticed or been aware that they are witnessing changes in their dog that are related to pain.

If its caught early, many of the effective management strategies are free, or at least more affordable than the costs associated with complex drug regimes and other means to control pain and maintain mobility.

Capons top tip for spotting early signs is to look out for any changes in your dogs behaviour, posture, capability and gait. These could all indicate pain and potential arthritis. Look out for a change from what was normal, she says.

It could be that a dog that was shy now becomes needy, or a dog that was brave now becomes fearful. The classic sign of difficulty rising, slowing down and being unable to jump up will come at a later stage.

She encourages dog owners to not be scared of an early diagnosis, as you will have more to work with and likely better results, and suggests building a rapport with your vet as they are the only people legally allowed to diagnose and prescribe.

Capon has launched The Big Walk 2021 through her organisation, Canine Arthritis Management, to help raise funds and spread awareness.

She is urging dog owners to sign up and take part in the walking challenge, which starts on September 1 and runs for a month. Participants will receive a 30-day series of emails, taking them on an imaginary journey through a fictional land, from the perspective of an arthritic dog. Theyll include soundbites from experts, a chance to win prizes, as well as daily activities and challenges.

Theres also a members-only Facebook group for dog-lovers to come together, share their adventures and interact with experts. To find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit canineartritis.co.uk .

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Essex vets plea to help fight silent killer of dogs - Essex Live