My Labrador Retriever has arthritis. What do I do?
My yellow labrador retriever has been displaying symptoms of arthritis. He has a lot of trouble getting up after a nap, and he has gotten fatter since it hurts him when he runs, which makes it even harder for him to get up. He also walks using three legs. He bends his left leg when he walks, he is obviously in pain. I have been giving him an aspirin every day but now the symptoms have gotten worse and I need something new. Is there anything I can do before taking him to the vet for expensive x-rays and medications?
while aspirin is a wonderful pain reliever for people, it is crap for dogs. go to the vet and get some proper medication! also, stop giving the aspirin! you will need to have your dog off of it for at least 2 weeks before starting other medications since aspirin causes bleeding.
Arthritis is an inflammation in a joint. It gets worse over time, and may begin as simple morning stiffness and progress to lameness and swollen, painful joints. The good news is that while arthritis is incurable, treatment can make your dog feel a whole lot better.
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How old is your Lab?? Are you sure he hasn’t torn his cruciate ligament in his knee?? A vet visit may be necessary. You can talk treatment options without x-rays then go from there. A supplement with Glucosamine and Chondroitin can be helpful as well. There are foods out there that have those things in it too. Not meant to replace anything your vet says but can be helpful. Look into Natural Choice Large Breed, Senior if he is over five years old, Weight Management if he is overweight. I have seen great results in my parents dog as well as friend with that little boost of Glucosamine and Chondroitin that is in the food. Plus it is all natural and easy to digest, they eat less and poop less compared to other brands.
Also, long term use of aspirin is not recommended. It can be very bad for dogs. Thin the blood, cause ulcers, bleeding. Talk to your vet about it more.
http://thenutrocompany.com/ncdry-lbs.shtml
Hope this helps, good luck!
Petcam (Metacam) Oral Supension is used to relieve pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis in dogs.
http://healthfeeling.com/products/pets/petcam/order/
Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the oxicam class, used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, primary dysmenorrhea, fever; and as an analgesic, especially where there is an inflammatory component. It has been developed by Boehringer-Ingelheim. It is closely related to piroxicam.
Meloxicam is licensed in Europe for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, for short term use in osteoarthritis and for ankylosing spondylitis. As of 2004 it has been approved for use in treating osteoarthritis in the United States of America and is marketed in the under the name of Metacam by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica.
In Europe it is marketed under the brand names Movalis, Melox, and Recoxa. In the Philippines it is generally marketed as the brand name Moxen. In the UK, U.S., Middle East and Australia it is generally marketed under the brand name Mobic, in Germany as Mobec, and in Canada as Mobicox. In Latin America, the drug is marketed as Tenaron, Ilacox, Mavicam, or Melocam. A veterinary formulation of the drug is marketed in the U.S. and in France as Metacam by the Vetmedica division of Boehringer-Ingelheim. Metacam is marketed in a generic form in Canada under the trade name PETCAM.
Depo-Medrol (Methylprednisolone) is an anti-inflammatory steroid that includes the various collagen, dermal, allergic, ocular, otic, and musculoskeletal conditions.
Depo-Medrol (Methylprednisolone) may be included in the whole steroid therapy in the following cases:
* otic conditions, such as otitis externa;
* musculoskeletal conditions,such as myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and bursitis;
http://4ahealthyheart.com/item/pets/depo-medrol.html