I have a 15 yr old Lhasa Apso that is having increasing trouble getting around. I’m guessing it’s arthritis. I can’t afford a vet visit but I want to get him some relief. What is the best NSIAD for canine arthritis, what’s the dosage (he’s about 22 pounds), and where’s the cheapest place to get it?
I know I need to take him to the vet but the cheapest vet visit I can find around here in Austin is $150 and that’s way out of my price range. There won’t be any money left for meds.
I really appreciate all the responses with positive information. For those of you who demand that I see a vet, you may have never been so strapped that feeding your dog is a stretch but that’s where I am. I’m prepared to forego some important meds of my own for my dog so please, spare me the lectures.

what oil and how many drops should be used? My dog has knee problem similar to arthritis (PFS in fact).

He’s had arthritis for the past 10 years (Hes 61). its just getting worse and worse with time and i hate to see him in pain, and its getting into his life where he can’t work, go on our bike rides, get off his chair, and just move in general. Today he says his foot is in a lot of pain and he’s never felt this pain before and is swollen. Is there anything i can do to help?? Massage maybe?

BQ: What can i do to help him all the time? Not just his foot one day, leg the next. I was thinking make sure he has a GREAT diet, make him move around, do the little stuff for him (cleaning) ..?

Please don’t say “GO TO THE HOSPITAL”.
That’s obvious I would think of that on my own.

Of course doctors say it’s good for you, but I want answers from people that had it done if possible.

I’m 21 years old and it was first mentioned when I was about 14 years old. I didn’t really notice it, but it was recently mentioned. My TSH has been normal. I think it was 2.3 (I can’t remember the range). I’ve had it tested 3-4 times in the past 6 months. My GP felt it while I swallowed and said she couldn’t feel anything abnormal.

She said to add more salt to my diet and come back if it’s restricting my breathing. My Grandmother also has a goiter is on thyroid medication.

If it’s relevant, I have Celiac Disease and am currently in the process of being diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome and possibly another autoimmune disease, RA, Psoriatic Arthritis (without the Psoriasis) or Luppus. Possibly Fibromyalgia too, but unlikely.

I haven’t had the thyroid antibodies or Free T3 and Free T4 tested. Should I push for this?
Is a goiter usually benign?

Thanks.
2blest, thank you. I was hoping you’d answer! This is what I meant about having my thyroid ‘monitored’. I think that it’ll need to take a slightly back seat at the moment until I get the arthritis stuff sorted. I think it’ll be difficult to get it tested with the normal TSH though.

We have an older dog who has trouble with arthritis. I would like to know what experiences you have had with your dog and what medications worked? YES, I have a vet, and YES, I have taken the dog there and talked to the vet. So, I DON’T need any lectures on how I need to talk to the vet about this. I am a responsible pet owner who takes care of my pets. I simply want to find out what might have worked for your own dog. If you don’t own a dog and have not tried any medications such as this, then don’t comment. We have used Prednisone, which worked well as an anti-inflammatory, but it also causes urinary accidents, so that is not a great side effect for her. What medication worked to relieve the stiffness or pain for better comfort? We have also used glucosamine. PLEASE, no rude comments, nor how I can put the dog to sleep. If you comment on a medication, please let me know what it was, how long it took to help, and what side effects you might have noticed with your own pet.
Thank you, so far, for your caring answers. I will look into all the things suggested, so far. I will also keep looking for more answers, as each one of us has had a different experience. Thanks . . .
By the way, she is not overweight – she is actually underweight. I certainly would like to know how to help her gain muscle mass, but maybe we need to further blood tests. The last said by vet was if weight did not build up, do tests for tumor? She is pretty skinny, despite altered diet and more food. No thyroid, diabetes, liver or kidney problems. Vet actually said the blood work does not look like that of an old dog. Should be about 45 lbs. but is about 35 to 37 lbs. Giving vitamin B12, digestive enzymes and multiple vitamin.

Swelling and redness in fingers, pain..anyone have ideas how to relieve pain?

I applied back in Jan 2010, and am waiting on my hearing. My diagnosis’s are: 1) major back surgery (fusion on L5/S1). 2)Fibromyalgia. 3) Osteoarthritis in lumbar spine & both feet. 4) probable Psoriatic Arthritis in my right hand & left knee. 5) Psoriasis 6) Migraine Disease with Aura. 7)Major Depressive Disorder (everyone with Fibro is labeled with it).
Two doctors have written in their notes that there is no way I could return to work. Mainly because I have to change position so often.
Do you have an opinion of rather or not I would be approved?
I am 40. Always worked in either factory work or bartending/waitress work. I can not stand in one place at all anymore. Not even in the grocery store. I pace til i find a short line, then I lean on the buggy. Driving is becoming more and more difficult, because of my back. What I failed to mention is that the muscles, tendons, & ligaments are shot there in the lumbar. Physical therapy only made things worse. If I don’t stay on my Celebrex (the rx has to renew every 6 months) then my knee begins to swell up again, as well as the knots on the top of my feet and the one on the back of my neck.
I am 40. Always worked in either factory work or bartending/waitress work. I can not stand in one place at all anymore. Not even in the grocery store. I pace til i find a short line, then I lean on the buggy. Driving is becoming more and more difficult, because of my back. What I failed to mention is that the muscles, tendons, & ligaments are shot there in the lumbar. Physical therapy only made things worse. If I don’t stay on my Celebrex (the rx has to renew every 6 months) then my knee begins to swell up again, as well as the knots on the top of my feet and the one on the back of my neck.
I am 40. Always worked in either factory work or bartending/waitress work. I can not stand in one place at all anymore. Not even in the grocery store. I pace til i find a short line, then I lean on the buggy. Driving is becoming more and more difficult, because of my back. What I failed to mention is that the muscles, tendons, & ligaments are shot there in the lumbar. Physical therapy only made things worse. If I don’t stay on my Celebrex (the rx has to renew every 6 months) then my knee begins to swell up again, as well as the knots on the top of my feet and the one on the back of my neck.

im 58,,,5 feet, 10 inches,with rheumotoid arthritis,osteoarthitis,sleep apnea,,a broken hip 7 yrs ago,with 3 screws. 5 months back,i lost 35 lbs by eating many greens ,salad chicked – pork ,both without breadcrumbs,and steak.i gave up all snacks. once i hit the nyc best sicilian pizza in the world,i slowly lost control,n put back on 25 lbs. . per all doctors i see, i must loose the tummy,or else it will be an early exit from this world,as men with my shape,tend to have heart attack or worse,stroke. i had a stent put in last june.i have major breating problems. my goal when i was at a 35 lb loss,was to loose another 35.so hear i go again.id like to buy the afican mano diet pills ,i see advertised on line. has anyone had success with these pills?. and finally i stoped gatorade,but drink the g2 gatorade which the bottle shows me the content ,and it seems ok,unless im naive.lastly,im an avid golfer in ny and in florida.well everytime i play,like yesterday in ft lauderdale,i barely have strenght to swing with authority,but worse yet ,my feet and r ankle feels swollen the next day,keeping me in bed .it s awfull,but being an addictive personality,its tough.however after 18 yrs of alcoholic drinking,i should be dead.rather i have 22 yrs sobriety. im open to kind informative answers to the mango diet,as well as what you may have to offer,as this is a crisis point in my life,and i failed to say,i suffer with spinal stenosis,but will have a 2 nd mri ,next mon. in ny and see what the neurologist suggest.i THANK YOU ALL. MR TOM