Often we put these things down to the ageing process, we can all feel a bit stiff sometimes as we get older. Right? Well, maybe…. but often this stiffness is triggered or caused by soft tissue injury to muscles or tendons, and sometimes by damage to ligaments and joints. Other times its wear and tear. For all these different causes, there are more than a few different treatment options. Some involve medication, others involve changes to lifestyle, nutrition, altered exercise, and weight control. Medications can involve some of the types of medication with which we are familiar (anti-inflammatories and analgesics) but there are many other options such as Cartrophen and Pentosan (which relubricates old joints and helps to repair worn cartilage), acupuncture, and even physical therapy to strengthen muscles to help them support worn or unstable joints.

As with people, the more active and mobile we can keep pets as they get older, the longer they live and the healthier they remain.