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Cold and Creaky: truInsights into How Winter Weather Impacts our Pets
Pet medical insurance provider Trupanion received more than 126,000 musculoskeletal claims in 2023 alone SEATTLE, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Something
About this update from Trupanion, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Pet medical insurance provider Trupanion received more than 126,000 musculoskeletal claims in 2023 alone\nSEATTLE, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Something crisp and biting this way comes. Temperatures are dropping, and as we begin to bundle up for the wintery weather, our pets, particularly older pets, may begin to show additional signs of pain, discomfort and stiffness. In 2023 alone, pet medical insurance company Trupanion (Nasdaq:TRUP) paid 61,000 limping claims, nearly 35,000 cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture claims, 32,000 arthritis claims and 1,200 hip dysplasia claims. These conditions can be aggravated by cold weather, and Trupanion data shows older pets are significantly more likely to be affected than adult pets, puppies or kittens. “It’s important to insure pets when they’re young,” says veterinarian and Trupanion General Manager, Dr. Stephen Rose, BVSc (Hons1) M Infotech CVA ACVCHM. “So that as they age, should any chronic conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia arise, there are fewer financial barriers to care. If pet parents wait to insure until their pet is older, there is higher likelihood that their pet will have pre-existing conditions and then it may be too late,” said Rose. Top Musculoskeletal Claims for Dogs (since 2019) LimpingCranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)ArthritisHip dysplasiaPain and discomfort Top Musculoskeletal Claims for Cats (since 2019) ArthritisLimpingHip dysplasiaPain and discomfortFracture How the Cold Aggravates Musculoskeletal Conditions Some suggest that cold weather can make our joints feel stiff and uncomfortable, and it could have a similar effect on our pets, especially older ones or those with arthritis. As the cold fronts move in, we can become less active, which can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle and therefore stiffer joints from disuse. However, in colder temps, it’s been theorized that the joint fluid can also thicken – offering another possible explanation for joint stiffness during the colder months. Additionally, the barometric pressure drops, which can cause joint tissues to enlarge, and in arthritic joints, this can be quite painful. For pet owners looking to keep pets comfortable during winter months, Dr. Rose adds, “Be sure to provide very comfortable bedding that’s easy for your pet to get in and out of—even warming bedding or blankets if appropr...