arthritis onset
 Molly is showing signs already of an arthritic hip. Although she still loves her daily runs (which are now fast walks) she so pays for it by bedtime. Our old Sheepie did really well on Metacam for her last few years and I would prefer to avoid this route again if possible. Has anyone experienced the same and can offer any advice? The only positive with this, is that she loves to cuddle and smooch even more  |
|
|
Sorry-- no advice here, but I wanted to say I hope Molly has a long time before it progresses.  |
| If she's not already on Glycoflex type product or a Cosequin product, do so. You might also try Vit C and E supplements, just a thought, they help Glacier but not MO. Yucca didn't work here and the guys seemed to back away from it. Veggies a day is very popular and is thought to control calcium deposits in the bad joints. Whiz up a bit a day and add to their meal.......start teaspoon at a time. (Mini food processor or a grater...) Never tried alfalfa tea. There's the injectable glucosamine formula......they name escapes both DH and me at the moment. I know you are hesitant about Metacam and other NSAIDS like Rimadyl, but it's almost all that's available now. MO has been on Rimadyl for 5 years  I wish it was a cure instead of pain relief, but I'll settle for whatever. |
| Sorry your shepie is showing her age,unforunately we all get there with time The injectable form of Cosquan is Adequan. Its a good place to start because it is injected right into the joint. Oral glucosamine/chondroitin is next it can take a few weeks to start,thus the reason for the injections. I've found over the years the human form is cheaper than the dog form. We use the Cosco brand extra strength on the whole family,including the humans  I keep my puppies on it till two,my old golden has arthritis,and my husband and i are older with creaky joints. It seems to work for everyone. I haven't had any joint issues with any of my dogs in the last 20years since I started using it on my puppies till two(a golden,2shepherds,and my oes),who knows.Omega 3's are anti inflamitory.Again everyone gets them here,humans and doggies. I know everyone uses Rimadyl,but be careful it can have major liver and kidney side effects and needs to be monitored. After reading all the literature I stayed with baby aspirin for my old shepherd.It worked well with the g/c and omega 3's. I personally am not a fan of vit C.Again it is hard on the stomach and I didn't find good results in the literature Exercise is important to maintain joint function and muscle mass. Walks are important attempt to cut down on the running. It broke my heart when we had to stop throwing the ball for my shepherd,she always carried one in her mouth for someone to throw.My golden can still retrieve we just don't let him do it as much. Work with your vet and see what works for you. Forgot to mention keep the weight down,and feed a high quality food nutrition is important.I have friends that have found canine acupucture works too.Good luck,older dogs can be a challenge,but your right they do slow down and cuddle more |
| I just had my 12 yr old foster (basset) in to the vet this morning. He has been yelping when laying down. He has a deformed left shoulder/elbow. I'm not sure if he was always this way, or if it is just a product of time. (I've had him 8 months) He walks like a bulldog when viewed from the front! Xrays were done, and he has some pretty severe arthritis in there. The left elbow is mostly froze up - very little ROM. He got started on a 2 week trial of Deramaxx (NSAID group). We are to monitor for improvement and side effects. After 2 weeks another blood profile will be drawn. If it is a successful trial, we will continue it. I don't know what he got before he came into rescue (he was a loved family pet, complete with vet records, blankets and crate - and a victim of a home foreclosure and his family threatened w/ eviction from their rental townhome because of him). Since he came here he has been on glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluric acid and fish oil caps. He really is active for a 12 yr old - especially a basset - runs, climbs stairs, jumps in the Element unassisted... but is just now having a pain and limp. |
 thanks everyone for your experienced advise (no not as in age) As well as the meds guess the best we can give them is TLC. |
| Swimming. According to the PTs I took Chumley to see, swimming builds strength in a non-impact way that makes walking more comfortable for them because the muscles help hold the joints from rubbing against each other (or something like that). Since walking hurts, they become less likely to do it and the muscles atrophy, which means walking then hurts more. Swimming did wonders for Chum. |
| Molly swim Once it hits her ankles she retreats. |
My vet just showed me another article on another new treatment (sounds a bit more conventional to me than the one he proposed before) when I was in yesterday with Mariah. I think he thinks of me because I have larger dogs (Isaac weighs 94# & is not fat) & aging dogs (Isaac is now 12 years old but moving around pretty darned good for that age). He loves Isaac & definitely doesn't want to see me have to let him go due to movement problems in the future. I am taking Olivia in Wed. to be x-rayed to see if there are any puppies in there. I'll ask him for the article to read again while I wait & take some notes on it or have them make me a copy. He is trying it on one of his old girls right now & he says he is seeing improvements in her although they are slow & small steps. The thing that impressed me is they are talking NO side effects.  |
| Be interesting Marilyn so do post, I had my oldie on Metacam for a few months and had to take her off it as it was affecting her kidneys only in the end just had her on Glucosamine/chondroiton supplements. Tried the set of injections too forgot what they called it but did not make any difference to her at all. If there is a better way for the oldies when it comes to backends going and keeping them comfortable would love to know. Metacam/Rimadyl etc I have had no luck with and such harsh drugs too on their systems for pain relief. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|