Question by chiefdom: Has anyone had success treating arthritis with meds, supplements or other methods in a large…?
…breed dog?
she is otherwise healthy, has had all bloodwork done, and have tried Rymadel, ascriptin, and Dasaquin without much success. Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by since Xiong
You can also buy from drsfostersmith.com and they sell arthritis products that I’ve also used with success. The products I’ve bought from Springtime Inc. were for a couple of my older arthritic horses and I kept them very comfortable for many years. They also have the same products to treat dogs as well as humans.

Our Bichon has one patella that gives her some pain from time to time and I use the arthritic products that I’ve bought from Doctors Foster & Smith online. I buy the “Joint Care Plus MSM” for our dog and it really works well for her.

Good luck.

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Question by A B: Treating End-Stage Heartworms (Dogs)?
I have an older dalmatian, about 12 years old, who has just been diagnosed with end-stage heartworms. He is a pretty big dog (about 100 lbs) and has lost a lot of weight so far. He’s also got some arthritis and we switched him onto some high-grade dog food. Our vet said that prescription medication was out the question because as the worms died they would leave holes in his heart. Any suggestions or recommendations for treating him? Also, is walking him safe?
My dog was taking his monthly heartworm medication. We live next to a swamp/jungle, thanks to my great neighbor. For those of you that don’t know, those kinds of environments are mosquito breeding grounds. So please don’t say I was neglecting my dog.

Best answer:

Answer by ginbark
Many rescues and vets use Ivomectin for severe sick dogs and to keep costs down. At this point he will prob. die soon one way or the other.

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Question by Tierra: Has anyone tried treating dog with severe arthritis with adequan?
My pit is 3 years old and at 1.5 she was dianoised with elbow displaysia and her arthridic change was already classified as severe. About a year ago she also got bilateral fragmented cornoid processes (broken elbows) when she was playing with the hose ( Almost had to put her to sleep). So she is currently taking glucosamine and rimadyl but I have heard that adequan works well and have been talking with her vet about it you has not used it much in his practice but is willing to try.

Has anyone used this drug?
Did it help?

Best answer:

Answer by Lelee
I would also order her a heated bed off the internet. My 16 year old Chihuahua really benefited from it. They come in all sizes for really big dogs.

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Question by Jennifer M~ Got the Giggles: Treating arthritis in an old dog?
I have a 13 or 14 year old German Shorthair Pointer. She was a rescue and was about 2 when I got her by estimation of the vets, which would make her now 14ish. She had an awfully rough life before me and it took me quite a while to gain her trust to make her the dog she is today. I think many of you know the whole story, but this is the shortened version. She was also diagnosed with Canine Disciod Lupus a few years back. It has localized in her nose making it dry and prone to cracking. She takes steroids during flare ups and we’ve gotten it down to just Vit B supplements to ward off the flare ups.

She has also been taking Metacam as needed for arthritis in her back end. We have never figured out why, but she is very sensitive about her rear. She is the friendliest dog, but if another dog comes and sniffs a bit too vigorously, she will growl and sometimes cry/yelp.

We have noticed recently that she seems to be struggling a bit more with the pain/instability in her back end. We went to an outdoor pet event over the weekend and when we got home, she had to be carried up the 4 stairs to the house. We didn’t walk that much. I’ve scheduled her a vet check up as it is about time for her 1 yr check up anyways. I think part of the problem is the arthritis and part is muscle fatigue.

My question is, what medications, besides the Metacam have any of you had experience with? Any other suggestions? She does take a glucosamine supplement as well. I’ve heard bad things about Rimadyl. I just wanted to hear some personal opinions and experiences. I’d like to have some information in my head when I go and talk to the vet.

I realize she is getting up there and this is just one of those things I am going to have to start dealing with. I don’t think she is at ~that~ point yet where I need to start thinking about other options, but I want to try and get some control over the arthritis pain. The Metacam was “as needed” but maybe a daily dose is called for now?

Anyways….any help you can give will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Schrei!
My Newfoundland passed away last year at 15, with heart-related problems that were completely unexpected. Up until that point, he had severe arthritis. We tried absolutely everything, prescriptions from the vet, glucosamine, fish-oil. Everything helped a bit, but not enough. Then, I ran into someone who recommended acupuncture for canines, and water-therapy. Boy, you would not believe how well it worked! I never would have thought it would have made that much of a difference. After two weeks in the water with the water-therapy, Quil was swimming like he was two years old again. Jeez, I feel like I’m advertising for an info-mercial. But check it out, I had great success with it. Maybe you will too.

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Question by Korn Fleik: Why you don´t find in the US a prodcut for treating dogs arthritis like Artroflex?
The has like this one, vitamins, pain killers plus glucosamine and condroitin? What have you tried?

Best answer:

Answer by Dances With Woofs!
There are many products like this in the US. There is Cosequin, Dasuquin, Phycox JS ,Glyco-Flex and may more. Just look online or ask your vet and you’ll find them.

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Question by RocketSquid: How effective is Flexicose in treating a dog’s arthritis?
My 14-year-old beagle had recently been suffering from arthritis to the point where he could barely walk, so we took him to the vet to see if there was anything we could do to help. The vet prescribed 10 days worth of Rimadyl, which has helped him tremendously. He was able to walk again and was in better spirits in general.

Despite the fact that it was expensive, I felt like it was helping him so I was going to get some more… but then I did some research and found out that many dogs were having negative reactions to the drug and that it might be dangerous to give to dogs. He didn’t seem to be showing any side effects but I didn’t want to risk it, so I looked for other options and found Flexicose, which is a glucosmine and chondroitin supplement. We just started giving him the Flexicose in his food.

Have any of you used Flexicose for your dogs? What is its effectiveness when compared to a prescription drug like Rimadyl?

Best answer:

Answer by BEV
Here, we have Flexidin made for dogs, glucosamine/chondroitin. I’ve used that in addition to Metacam. The supplement was not enough for my dog, it just didn’t take her pain away.

Metacam is the most effective arthritis pain medication there is for dogs. My dog was on the Metacam from the time she was 8 until she died at 15. This medication can also have side effects over the long-term. When I tried to wean her off it using another med Tramadol, it just didn’t do the job. Within a month, she could barely walk again, so I kept her on the Metacam with no ill effects. Both Rimadyl and Metacam can cause liver complications and can, in fact cause Cushings Disease. There is no prescription medication without side effects and the alternative medications may not take the pain away. The Flexicose may take months to show any kind of improvement.

I wish you all the best with this.

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Question by taitkers: Treating Arthritis in a Dog with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
I have a 9 year old chow who was diagnosed with IBD a little over a year ago so he has a limited ingredient food now. A little while after he began to limp after getting up from resting or after moving around for a while. My vet told me to treat him with Missing Link Plus for his arthritis. It seemed to have a good affect but in turn he lost his appetite and began every once in a while throwing up his food like when he was first diagnosed with IBD. I began giving him that treatment less often because of that.

I do not have the money to take him to physical therapy for the arthritis but I know he needs to rest it, be as pain free as possible, and then exercise it to strengthen the muscles around the joint, keeping pressure off of it.

My question is how do I accomplish this? Should I use herbal supplements until he isn’t limping as much, then in the mornings before he begins to limp take him out on walks and then bring him home to rest? Or is there a problem with that schedule, being too much stress on the leg?

Thank you

Best answer:

Answer by sara772779
You may want to try Esther C. It is a very gentle Vitamin C supplement that is recommended for large animals and humans with hip and joint diseases like arthritis. I give both of my large breed dogs it daily for prevention of hip dysplasia. My homeopathic vet and GSD breeder recommended it. I know now other horse trainers and vets who use it for both prevention and treatment of arthritis. I get it online in daily portion packs from SmartPak but you can get it in many pet supply stores, too. It is really a gentle supplement that shouldn’t upset the IBD.

As for exercise, just keep it simple and slow paced walks. Your dog should set the pace that is most comfortable for him and you should try two or three short walks each day instead of one long one. This will keep him moving, which is the best treatment of arthritis, if you can avoid the pain. I can personally attest to that!

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Question by frescafresh: whats the downside to not treating your dogs arthritis?
I have a miniature sheltie and she is 10 years old. she has recently started to become slow pace and seems like shes unhappy. I am 98% sure she has arthritus because for the past couple years off and on she will limp. and act like shes in pain (this has occured on all of her feet). I want to take her to the vet but my mom doesnt believe me. what are some downsides to not treating arthritus? I want to convince her to take her in. I hate seeing my baby in pain. Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Marina
It would be terribly cruel and inhumane to not treat for arthritis. Your mom is a monster if she doesn’t understand that. Your dog will become crippled without treatment and will need to be put down long before her time. Tell your mom to have a heart!

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Question by AdviceDogTraining.com: Treating Arthritis in Dogs – Rimadyl ?
Has anyone had experience (good or bad) in using Rimadyl for treating Hip Dysplasia ?

I am looking for people to cast their vote on:
http://www.advice-rimadyl.com

The totals will be returned when the question closes.

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Answer by Answerman
I don’t know if it would be safe in dogs but tart cherry juice works good in humans, that is a testimony from somebody that knows. Just 2 or 3 teaspoons a day does it for me.

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Regeneus Animal Health. Regeneus treats arthritis in dogs with AdiCell, a mature stem cell treatment. View how AdiCell helped Sassy, a German Shepherd cross. Sassy struggled to get up, walk, climb stairs. Now she runs and plays with other dogs. www.regeneus.com.au
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