Pet Joint Pain: Common Causes and Treatment
Like humans, our furry four-legged companions can succumb to joint pain. We may notice the problem when our beloved cats or dogs can no longer jump on the furniture or run after their favorite toy. At Pawsitive Strides Veterinary Rehabilitation and Therapy, our Des Moines veterinarians provide a variety of therapies to improve your pets’ musculoskeletal health.
Canine Joint Pain Causes
Dogs may experience joint pain for a number of reasons. Some musculoskeletal conditions, such as Wobbler's syndrome, are present at birth, while others, such as metabolic or hormone disorders, develop months or years down the road. Canine joint pain can also be due to arthritis, Lyme disease, cancer, or degenerative disorders affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Feline Joint Pain Causes
In cats, joint problems may originate at birth or appear later in life as the result of trauma or a degenerative condition. Common culprits behind feline joint pain include hip dysplasia and arthritic conditions related to tumors, infections, or immune system dysfunction.
Our Des Moines Veterinarians Provides Comprehensive Joint Pain Therapy
Our veterinarians in Des Moines provides quality care that is tailored to your pets’ unique needs. Their treatment plan may consist of:
Therapeutic Exercises: Pets may have regular physical therapy sessions at the clinic, along with exercises to do at home between appointments.
Massage Therapy: Well-known for its benefits to humans, massage is therapeutic for pets, too. Relaxing muscle manipulations improve circulation, joint flexibility, and overall well-being.
Laser Therapy: This painless modality reduces pain and swelling.
Electrical Stimulation: Our Des Moines veterinarians deliver low-frequency electrical impulses to affected muscles, blocking pain signals and restoring injured or atrophied soft tissues.
Chiropractic Care: Gentle spinal adjustments ease pain and accelerate recovery from illness and injuries.
Acupuncture: This technique alleviates pain and improves circulation.
Discover How a Veterinarian in Des Moines Can Help Your Pets
At Pawsitive Strides Veterinary Rehabilitation and Therapy, we provide the best care possible. To learn more about how a veterinarian in Des Moines uses a multi-modal approach to relieve joint pain, give us a call at 515-575-9655.