Woof! Winter Wisdom from Chinese Medicine
Baxter’s arthritis was much improved by regular acupuncture. photo: Lisa Fanzetta
Baby, it’s cold outside! If you’ve noticed your bones are aching a little bit more on these chilly winter mornings, your senior dog is probably feeling it, too. In fact, up to 80% of dogs aged eight and older are estimated to suffer from arthritis.
Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to supporting an animal’s well-being, which includes factoring in the effects of seasonal changes on our four-legged friends. In fact, exposure to cold is regarded as a potential cause of disease in Chinese medicine, and certain ailments are known to be exacerbated by winter weather.
A top example of this I see as an acupuncturist working with animals is osteoarthritis, the often-painful joint degeneration that typically occurs with age or after injury. That’s not surprising. Just ask any human with osteoarthritis and they’ll likely tell you it’s aggravated by cold conditions, especially when that chill is accompanied by drafts or dampness.
Though dogs can’t tell us in words what they are experiencing, as an attentive dog guardian, you’ll probably recognize some of the telltale signs that your canine companion might be suffering from arthritis. These can include:
Decreased activity
Difficulty getting up
Inability to jump
Reluctance to walk, play, and climb stairs
Snapping when touched
Lagging behind on walks
Limping or favoring a limb
One of my very special patients is Baxter, a gentle-hearted mutt who was adopted from the SF SPCA as a puppy years ago. Baxter is a lovable, white-furred floof with a long back and short legs, similar in shape to a Basset Hound. Like many common dog breeds and mixes with this body type, Baxter has what we call an “angular limb deformity,” meaning that his elbows have a characteristic bow-legged look. And while I insist that he is, of course, absolutely perfect exactly as he is, because of misalignment, his elbow and wrist joints have experienced joint degeneration and become increasingly painful as the years have passed.
Baxter is an example of how genetics can put your dog at an increased risk for arthritis. At-risk breeds and breed mixes include those with short, bowed legs like Baxter’s, long backs (think Dachshunds) prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and unstable hip joints (hip dysplasia). Joint injuries and surgeries as a youngster can also mean your dog is more likely to develop arthritis at the site of injury as they age.
When dogs with joint pain receive acupuncture (most find it relaxing), a combination of arthritis-fighting acupuncture points will be selected to increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of their body’s natural painkillers, such as endorphins. Baxter’s dads report that he is much more active now that he’s getting regular acupuncture treatments, along with laser therapy and supportive nutritional supplements.
Yin and Yang for Your Dog’s Health
You may already be familiar with yin and yang. Part of the theory underlying acupuncture and Chinese medicine, yin and yang is a philosophical concept describing opposite but interconnected forces. Yin relates to coldness, darkness, and form, while yang relates to heat, light, and activity. In optimal health, these qualities are evenly balanced.
In Chinese medicine, we’ll often use the concept of yin and yang to describe how an animal is out of balance. For instance, if your dog had a hot, burning rash or skin infection, she would be experiencing an excess of yang, which is heat. In osteoarthritis, there is a lack of sufficient circulation of blood, warmth, and vitality in the joints, so we describe this as a cold, or yin, disease. Arthritic dogs’ backs or extremities might actually feel cold, and you might find that they naturally seek out warm spots for relief.
Fortunately, the concept of yin and yang can also suggest lifestyle and environmental recommendations that you can implement at home to support your senior dogs and those at higher risk for developing arthritis. You might even find some holiday gift ideas here for the senior pets in your life!
Provide heated dog beds or heating pads designed for pets.
Dress them in doggie sweaters or jackets - fashion meets function!
Cover animal companions in a cozy blanket to keep them warm.
Keep your animals away from cold, damp, and drafty areas.
Gentle exercise (a “yang” activity) is also important as dogs age. Moderate, low impact movement will strengthen muscles, keep ligaments and tendons flexible, and help blood circulate to stiff joints. Gifting your dog with regular, gentle massage is another way to help maintain good circulation.
I wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. May this seasonal wisdom from Chinese medicine keep those tails wagging into 2024 and the many golden years ahead!