Nutritional Supplements for Your Pet’s Bone & Joint Health

Nutritional Supplements for Your Pet's Bone & Joint Health

Whether they feel physically energetic or not, dogs of all ages have playful spirits, and there’s almost nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a dog who’s experiencing too much joint pain and discomfort to chase a ball, greet you at the door, or jump onto the sofa for snuggling. When a dog begins losing mobility, his or her reluctance to play is usually related to one or more joint diseases.
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Developmental Joint Disease vs. Degenerative Joint Disease in Dogs

There are two different types of joint diseases that dogs experience:
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Developmental

Dogs are born with developmental joint diseases, which are caused by the incorrect development of a dog’s musculoskeletal structure. One of the most common is hip dysplasia. Many popular dog breeds have a predisposition to hip dysplasia, a condition characterized by overly large hip sockets that allow the bones to pop in and out of the joint.

Degenerative

Degenerative joint diseases, on the other hand, are not related to development. They tend to occur later in a pet’s life or as a result of another condition, such as obesity. One of the most common degenerative diseases pets face is osteoarthritis which is characterized by the deterioration of joint cartilage and the subsequent inflammation of the joints.
Regardless of whether a pet suffers from degenerative or developmental joint disease, the symptoms of joint problems can be severe.

Signs and Symptoms of Joint Disease in Pets

  • Pain, stiffness, and lost range of motion
  • Decreased activity
  • Reluctance to play
  • Lethargy
  • Swollen joints
  • Change in posture or gait
  • Muscle degeneration
  • Refusal to jump up or down or climb stairs
  • Favoring one side
  • Limping
  • Using only the front legs to stand
  • Appetite loss
  • Behavior or temperament changes
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Supplements for Pet Joint Health from VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy

When it comes to maintaining your pet’s joint health and/or managing their joint-related pain and stiffness, one of the best strategies starts with proper nutrition. Certain nutrients can help your pet’s body produce new joint tissues and lubricate their joints to help prevent damage, repair previous damage, and slow the progression of degenerative diseases.
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There are a variety of nutritional supplements that can help slow the progression of disease and improve your pet’s mobility, strength, and balance while managing pain.
  • Chondroitin
  • Glucosamine
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Collage
  • Proline
VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy is proud to offer Long Island pets with a variety of high-quality nutritional supplement options. With everything from tablets and capsules to chewy treats, our compounding pharmacy makes it simple to keep your pet energetic and pain-free with nutritional supplements for joint health. To learn more about nutritional supplements for pets and our compounding pharmacy services, contact us today.

Recognizing and Managing Hypothyroidism in Your Pet

Recognizing and Managing Hypothyroidism in Your Pet

Like humans, cats and dogs have a butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that produces the hormones responsible for regulating metabolism, the system that converts food into energy. Functioning normally, the thyroid gland releases regulated amounts of various hormones. Any imbalances can lead to a variety of symptoms including changes in behavior, energy, appetite, weight, and appearance.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too little hormone, causing health problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Decreased hormone levels slow the metabolism’s rate, which can result in symptoms including:
  • Hair loss or other coat changes
  • Flaky, dry skin
  • Darkened skin around the armpits or groin
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Lethargy
  • Ear or skin infections
  • Drooping face
  • Vomiting
  • Neurological issues
Symptoms vary from pet to pet. If you notice any changes in behavior, appetite, energy, or appearance, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian, as these kinds of changes can signify health problems.

How Is Hypothyroidism Diagnosed?

During a veterinary visit, your pet’s veterinarian might suspect a thyroid problem based on your pet’s appearance and the symptoms you describe. Hypothyroidism can be confirmed with a simple diagnostic blood panel that measures and compares the levels of various hormones present in your pet’s bloodstream.

Hypothyroidism Risk Factors and Causes

While cats are rarely diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the condition is fairly common in medium and large-breed dogs. Certain breeds are at a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism such as:
  • Airedale terriers
  • Cocker spaniels
  • Dachshunds
  • Doberman pinschers
  • Golden retrievers
  • Irish setters
  • Miniature schnauzers
Pets sometimes develop hypothyroidism for no discernible reason. Other times, the condition can be caused by lymphocytic thyroiditis (an immune problem), cancer, or a malformed thyroid gland which would be present at birth.

Hypothyroidism Treatment: Managing Hypothyroidism in Pets

Hypothyroidism cannot be cured, but for most dogs, hypothyroidism is relatively easy to treat and manage with hormone replacement medication that’s administered one or two times each day. Initially, your veterinarian will prescribe your dog a hormone therapy dose based on the hormone levels found in his or her blood panels.
After the initial diagnosis, you will likely be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment, as well. At this time, your veterinarian will talk with you about symptoms, weigh your pet, and run new blood tests to adjust your pet’s dose and medication schedule. Throughout your pet’s life, medication adjustments will be an ongoing process.
To learn more about thyroid replacement medications for dogs and cats or to learn how our VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy can simplify your pet’s hormone replacement therapy, we welcome you to contact us today.

Pet Dehydration: What Happens When a Pet Doesn’t Get Enough Water?

Pet Dehydration: What Happens When Pets Get Too Little Water?

Although easily prevented and resolved, dehydration in pets can cause permanent organ damage and even be life-threatening if it goes unchecked. Dehydration is always a concern for pets and humans alike, but pets – especially those spending time outdoors or in a hot indoor environment – are at a higher risk of dehydrating during the warm, summer months.

How Do Cats and Dogs Get Dehydrated?

Pets become dehydrated for two reasons:
  • Reduced Water Intake - Pets sometimes drink less water due to limited access or as a result of diseases that cause them to drink less (pancreatitis, parvo, or leptospirosis). Sometimes, pets stop drinking due to stress.
  • Fluid Loss - Pets can lose excessive amounts of fluid due to heatstroke, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disease, urinary tract conditions, endocrine disorders, kidney failure, and cancer.
Puppies, kittens, pregnant pets, senior pets, and pets suffering from the above-listed medical conditions are at an increased risk of dehydration.

What Happens When a Pet Is Dehydrated? Signs and Symptoms of Pet Dehydration

Water comprises about 80% of dogs’ and cats’ bodies, and it’s essential to all of their bodily functions such as circulation, electrolyte balance, digestion, metabolism, organ function, and waste removal. As a result, dehydrated pets experience a variety of issues such as reduced oxygen delivery throughout the body, lack of bowel movements, and more.
Signs and symptoms of pet dehydration include:
  • Appetite loss
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Dry Mouth
  • Excessive panting
  • Lack of coordination
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of skin elasticity
  • Red, inflamed gums
  • Respiratory trouble
  • Seizure or collapse
  • Sunken eyes
One simple way to determine if a pet is dehydrated is to pinch the loose skin between the shoulder blades. If the skin stays put or is slow to return to its normal position, then your pet is likely dehydrated.

What to Do If Your Pet Is Dehydrated

If your pet is dehydrated, provide them with cool drinking water and contact your emergency veterinarian right away. Dehydrated pets often require medical attention to replenish their fluids and restore the balance of electrolytes in their system. Depending on the severity of your pet’s dehydration, intravenous fluids might be necessary. Other pets, however, do well with a simple injection of fluids into a pocket beneath the skin.
Once the veterinarian has stabilized your pet’s condition, they might recommend additional diagnostic testing to rule out or identify any underlying medical conditions that might have contributed to dehydration. The veterinarian will then work with you to address those underlying concerns in order to prevent your pet from becoming dangerously dehydrated in the future.

5 Summer Skin Care Tips for Feisty Felines and Cuddly Canines

5 Summer Skin Care Tips for Feisty Felines and Cuddly Canines

You already know that you need sunscreen to protect your skin during summer, but did you realize that there are also special steps you can take to keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy during the hottest months of the year?

Top 5 Summer Skin Care Tips for Pets

1. Sunburn Prevention

You might assume that giving your pet a short haircut for summer will help them beat the heat, but going too short leaves them vulnerable to painful sunburn and skin cancer. Leave at least two inches for sun protection. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian to find out whether your pet has the type of coat that even should be trimmed in the first place. Some breeds have special double coats that are designed to protect them from the heat, and these should never be cut.

2. Guard Against Parasites

Summertime is high-season for parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitos. Protect your pet’s skin and health by making sure your pet has a high-quality parasite preventative.

3. Avoiding Irritation

Swimming in freshwater, saltwater, and swimming pools as well as getting too many baths can all lead to skin irritation in pets. Be sure to rinse your pets after swimming to remove chemicals, bacteria, and salt from their coats, but be careful not to give them too many baths as this can strip the natural oils in their skin and fur.

4. Allergy Awareness

Many pets suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergens come in the form of pollen, mold, and even flea saliva. If your pet’s extra-sensitive to summer allergens, take care to prevent their exposure and to keep their skin and coat free from irritants with plenty of brushing and baths with gentle soap after romping around in the grass.

5. Paw Pad Protection

Whether your pet takes walks on hot cement or plays around the rough edges of a swimming pool, their paw pads are at risk of injury. Be wary of walks during the hottest times of the day and always check the temperature of the pavement with your hand. If your pet’s paws become raw, apply a special paw balm to soothe them and help them heal.

Choose VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy for Your Pet's Skin Care Needs

Whether you’re looking for the perfect parasite prevention, a topical for your pet’s sensitive skin, or a gentle shampoo for a healthy bath time, we’ve got you covered! At VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy in Ronkonkoma, we can help you find the right pet care products and pharmaceuticals to meet all your pet’s unique needs.