Although well meaning, many dog parents are putting too much emphasis on the wrong approach to care for their dog and sadly that can lead to increased financial and emotional costs.
Read on to find out how to reduce that cost to yourselves and your dog!
1. Increased Veterinary and Medication Costs
Many pet owners hesitate to start arthritis management early because of perceived costs. However, waiting too long often leads to higher expenses down the track, and this really applies to any health condition!
Early intervention costs can include weight management and strengthening programs (see The Dog Rehab App) and they may only costs a few hundred dollars per year but without them a $15,000 joint replacement may be the only option, aside from euthanasia.
2. Higher Risk of Secondary Health Issues
Arthritis isn't just a joint problem, it becomes a whole body problem. The pain makes them move less which can lead to weight gain, muscle loss, and overcompensation of other muscles make them sore too.
Weight gain not only causes more pain and inflammation in the body, but it can also make our dogs more likely to suffer from heart issues and diabetes.
3. Reduced Quality of Life (for Both Dog and Parent)
Arthritis causes a dog to struggle to get up, walk, or play like they used to, become withdrawn, anxious, or even irritable due to discomfort, lose interest in family activities or become reluctant to go for walks. It can even lead them to becoming incontinent.
Incontinence is a big reason that dogs are euthanized because arthritic dogs are weak and slow to get up and go outside for potty that they sadly do it inside. People will see this and say their dog's quality of life is reduced and therefore it is one step closer to euthanasia.
For us pet parents the cost of mismanagement is seeing our dogs struggling in pain, the physical burden of lifting them up stairs or into the car, cleaning up after accidents, missing out on adventures we once enjoyed with our dog and most devastatingly, reduce our dog's lifespan (due to mobility struggles, pain and incontinence).
The mobility issues, pain and incontinence can all be helped with a structured strengthening exercise program like what is in The Dog Rehab App!
4. The Cost of Trial-and-Error Treatments
When arthritis is mismanaged, we often waste money on quick-sounding solutions like buying a supplement, which may not only be wasting your money but may also not be helping your dog at all! On the other hand, exercise therapy is scientifically proven to get results so both humans and dogs have a better quality of life with better movement and less pain.
5. The Emotional Toll of Avoidable Regret
This is the saddest one I think and it's not a financial cost, it is an emotional one. I hear so often "I just wish that I had done something sooner" and the truth is with education and action we can recognize the signs sooner and take action sooner to not only help our dogs feel better and move better, but also give our hearts and minds peace knowing we acted in a timely manner!
In short, not ensuring that our dogs get a well rounded treatment approach for their arthritis may cost us more than just money. Talk to your vet or physiotherapist today to ensure you find ways to minimize these potential future costs!
Kylie 💙🐾
Physiotherapist
Exercise advocate for dogs
