Arthritis in dogs and what can you do to help relieve it?
Wе hаνе a black lab/pit mix whο іѕ 11 yrs οld, recently ѕhе hаѕ bееn limping favoring hеr rіght leg. Thе vet wе wеnt tο ѕаіd ѕhе hаd arthritis іn hеr shoulder аnd joints. Dog іѕ οn pain meds/ inflammation reducer. Wе аrе јυѕt wondering іf thеrе іѕ a better cure fοr hеr
the Vets have anti-inflammatory meds that can help
no there is not a better cure than steroidal anti inflammatory, although there are different kinds out there some are safer than others and it is important that you get regular blood work to check liver function, actually it is supposed to be done before starting therapy.
But you can add some glucosime chondrtion in the mix.http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=670
There is no cure. At her age I would look at if she’s enjoying life or if she’s often times miserable. If she’s more miserable than she is enjoying life, then I would seriously consider euthanasia.
There is not much you can do to get rid of the problem completely but some sun light and warmth where her arthritis is bad the most will help the pain.
try Naturvet senior hip and joint or glucosamine DS with MSM.
See this it’s answered already
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj8gsW4adBqrUdePsGqLHizty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100412094722AA83TSg&show=7#profile-info-zcSxkHKcaa
There is no “cure” for arthritis. But you might try Glucosamine (liquid is better than pills) Online it’s cheaper. Seemed to help my Rottie at 10 years of age. (The less they are on pain meds, the better, but sometimes that cannot be avoided.)
metacam is the best Rx that I have ever used – you can go on Drs Foster and Smith and pick up supplements that will help as well
Why not have your vet refer you to a canine internal med vet?
http://information.i-love-dogs.com/dog-articles/dog-health/3717-Overcoming-Arthritis-Dogs.html
Take a look at this website and also see the natural remedies and diet information.Anything is worth a try to releive your dog of pain but the meds should be doing the job.
Hope shes not in too much pain.
Good luck =]
My dog has arthritis as well. Metacam is the best NSAID that we have found that helps him the most. He is also on Dasuquin as a OTC supplement. The combination of these works great for him. He also has a bed that recirculates body warmth that seems to help his limp as well as a kiddie pool outside in the sun that he LOVES to soak in.
But every dog, like every person, is different and responds differently to medication.
There is no cure, but with your vet’s health you can definately manage the symptoms and help give your dog the best quality of life possble.
Unfortunately, you can’t cure it.
If she is carrying any extra weight, get it off her. This will lessen the stress on her joints.
Try adding a fish oil supplement to her diet daily. Fish oil provides a big dose of Omega 3s. Omega 3s have a lot of health benefits, but the one that would most interest you right now is that it acts as a mild anti-inflammatory.
You could try adding a glucosamine/MSM supplement to her daily routine, but I don’t think you’d see a ton of benefit. These supplements work to preserve the cartilage that still remains in the joints and provide joint lubrication. Probably worth trying for about 3 months, but you may not see dramatic changes if the arthritis is already advanced. If it seems to help, keep using it. Ask your vet what dose you should be aiming for, but it’s often cheaper to buy these supplements somewhere other than your vet’s office. I have been very happy using Glyco-Flex III. None of the others contained enough MSM. You generally want the amount of glucosamine and MSM to be equal, and this was the only supplement I found that had that.
Arthritic dogs often have trouble getting up from the floor, so you may want to buy a raised bed to make it easier. These beds also keep the dog out of drafts.
Cold, wet weather can make arthritic pain worse, so you might want to look into buying a coat for the dog for this sort of weather.
ETA: My dog has a luxating patella, so we knew she’d eventually get arthritis because of he abnormal joint movement. She’s been on Glyco-Flex III and fish oil since she was diagnosed, to delay arthritis. She’s now 8 and is just starting on the prescription NSAID as needed–usually when she’s had a period of high activity or the weather has been wet and cold. The glucosamine/MSM supplements work better at preserving joints than at repairing them. If you know a dog has a joint issue, start them right away, to delay arthritis or slow it’s progress.
My mom shows and breeds English Setters, and has also had good luck with Glyco-Flex III in dogs with any joint issue. Because her dogs all are OFA certified for good elbows and hips, the ones who have trouble at old age tend to be the ones who have spent a lot of time on hard surfaces, like prolonged kenneling. She uses the Glyco-Flex III as a preventative, as I do. If a dog of hers is going to spend extended periods of time on concrete, they get Glyco-Flex III from age 3 on. None of hers have progressed to needing the NSAID, but her dogs were carefully bred to avoid joint misformations.
Did your vet do an X-Ray? These dogs are prone to bone cancer. It looks like arthritis to start with, but unlike arthritis it doesn’t continue to get better with basic pain medication.
Arthritis can not be “cured” – keep her on the pain meds the vet has given you, and if she continues to get worse, insist on X-Rays.
My best friend lost her Lab to bone cancer.