Metal Pins & the cold

[LBF]

Fellow owners that have dogs with pins!

Do you notice a big difference in the winter? My boy will be 6 at the end of the year and had surgery for lux patella nearly 5 years ago. He has a number of pins -especially for a small chi x terrier mix- and always looks a little lame in winter (not obviously, but when you see them everyday you notice don't you!).
He still goes to hydro fortnightly and the hydro-therapist mentioned about pins expanding & shrinking in the cold. I have thought about trying to make a little scarf for his knee, am I insane!!

Does anyone have any experience of this, or even better have you got pins in your own leg, what does it feel like/what do you do in winter- if anything! I have heard that sometimes you can actually feel the metal contracting and changing shape :O!

 

[I.M.N.]

I have a dynamic hip screw, a plate and some pins. In the cold it hurts like hell especially if there's a bit of air dampness thrown in. I live in thermal leggings and waterproof over trousers from about august till May to try and keep my active life bearable. He'll thank you for anything you can do to keep that area warm! Also even when I come inside my right hip area takes much longer to warm up to the touch.

 

[Bellasophia]

Gillrugs UK do made to measure, flectalon coats..inside the filler are metal strands that actually keep the dog warm.The dog throws out body heat which warms to threads ,and then the coat...I've bought four of these coats .They really are warm and serve us well in the freezing alpine cold.
I bet your little dog would love one! there are also ceramic filled coats now that do a similar job,but are more expensive I believe.

 

[blackcob]

I can't say I've ever noticed with my dog that has metalwork and she does a significant amount of work in the winter months to no ill effect. Back on Track do the ceramic lined coats Bella mentions as well as various leg wraps that might help.

 

[LBF]

All really interesting!
I NEED to go doggy shopping now.. think my OH will kill me
Shame I can't get him thermal leggings I.M.N. I think they would do the trick, it must be so strange to be able to feel the difference of temperature. I've heard a bit about the Flectalon coats recently, but never had personal experience. I know he would love the warmth from them as he really does feel the cold/wet! (fair-weather dog!)
Thanks for sending me that way Blackcob, I am interested in the leg wrap they do, it covers the exact area that I am concerned about. I know he will look at me in disgust if I threaten him with it, but I hope he will thank me in the end!!

Thanks for your help everyone

 

[Boxers]

I used to have a Rottweiler who had a metal plate and pins in his foreleg. I am certain that it hurt him in cold weather. He was always lame on it because it had made his leg rigid with no flexion above his paw. I used to give him a dose of painkiller each day in the cold weather.