Medication for dog with mild arthritis?
Mу 11 year οld Lab hаѕ јυѕt bееn diagnosed wіth very mild arthritis. Othеr thаn a bit οf stiffness іn thе morning јυѕt аftеr ѕhе wakes up, ѕhе′s really nοt having аnу problems. Thе vet gave mе ѕοmе information οn a few prescriptions medications I сουld try, bυt thеу′re аll very expensive аnd hеr arthritis іѕ ѕο mild thаt I јυѕt don’t thіnk prescription іѕ necessary. I’m mostly looking tο prevent іt frοm getting worse.
Ask your vet whether a low dose aspirin is Ok, and also ask about glucosamine / chondroitin to improve her joints. Some of the prescription drugs have harmful side effects anyway – better to put them off for as long as possible.
Dogs can take aspirin.
Just like with people – you have to give it to her with food or it could upset her stomach.
I have a GSD mix (70lbs) with hip dysplasia. I have been giving her aspirin every day for several years.
When she’s feeling good or the weather is good, I’ll give 1 adult aspirin 2x per day (at each feeding).
If the weather is bad or she’s been active and hurting, I’ll give her 2 adult aspirin.
I take a shot glass and put just a small amount of water in it and drop the aspirin it. The pill will dissolve and then just pour it over her food.
This web site gives the dosage for aspirin for dogs. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/aspirin-dosage-for-dogs.html
And you don’t have to buy doggie aspirin at the pet store. Just go to Wal-mart and pick up the big bottle of people aspirin. All doggie aspirin is – is people aspirin with a flavor in the hopes the dog will just chew it up.
I also give her glucosamine supplements. Again, don’t need to buy expensive doggie ones. Just pick up a bottle in the people section of Wal-Mart. You can put that in the shot glass and let it disolve. However, this pill takes a while to break down. So, you may want to put it in water the night before so it’s ready at breakfast.
Since I feed her a food with glucosamine in it, I only give her the supplement pill once a day.
And, yes, my vet knows I give her aspirin and approves.
A high quality liquid glucosamine could really help your pup, without the harmful side effects of prescription medicines. The glucosamine will aim to help your dog with the stiffness, inflammation, and sore joints. Glucosamine is all-natural and it is a safe, effective approach. It can easily be added to your dogs food bowl each day and can be used long-term.
Aspirin is not really the solution. It may work for some dogs but it is still a NSAID, in fact it was the first NSAID. It can cause long term problems. You can google “aspirin and dogs” and you will see a list of problems that may ensue will medicating your dog with aspirin.
Some prescriptions contain very harsh chemicals. There are all natural options for dogs with arthritis. K9 Mobility is a great supplement that has had a lot of success with dogs with arthritis.
http://www.k9criticalcare.com/categories/Joint-Support/
As part of a holistic, natural approach to the health of your pet’s musculoskeletal system, a well balanced, natural, organic diet will supply all the nutrients needed to keep muscles, joints and bones in optimal health.
Natural remedies
Additionally you can provide natural pain relief from the discomfort of arthritis by using natural remedies containing Glucosamine, Harpagophytum procumbens, Arthrospira platenis, Calcium Fluoride, Natrium Phosphoricum, Natrium Sulphate and Lecithin.
Controlled exercise is an important part of managing arthritis in your pet. Although your dog may object to going out for a walk, by getting him/her up and walking, blood circulation to all those painful joints will be improved and the inflammatory substances that are involved in the discomfort of arthritis will be flushed away.
This is the reason that most owners report that the stiffness often disappears after a bit of exercise or even with warmer weather when circulation is less sluggish. Your arthritic cat will also benefit from a gentle game of seek-and-destroy the catnip mouse.