Finally got a diagnosis for my dog: arthritis

[linazelle]

She is only five, but X-rays showed severe arthritis in the right hip. We walk daily and she was stopping sooner and sooner over the summer. Just this week, she turned around to go home as soon as I left out the door. Sometimes she would limp after we came back from a walk.

I'm relieved to know the cause but am faced with her having surgery, which, I really don't want to spend $800 for right now. The vet says she can survive for a while on pain pills and glucosamine.

Anybody else had a similar problem? What did you do?

[linazelle]

1. Rimadyl was prescribed for pain, it seems, from my research

that it causes liver damage and even renal failure. Anybody had any experience with Rimadyl? What other meds are there for pain?

[RebelOne]

3. I had my now-deceased Rottie on Rimadyl.

It almost killed her. Luckily, I had done some research and knew what to watch out for. After 3 months, she began to have bloody stools and I took her off it immediately. The vet then prescribed Etogesic (sp?), but after 3 weeks, he had the same symptoms. Finally, I just used the adult dosage of Glucosamine, which helped.

Check out this link for further info on Rimadyl. I am fortunate I knew about this site when my dog started to be affected by the drug, otherwise, it would have been too late.

http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

[China_cat]

12. My Rosie is 12 years old and has been on Rimadyl

for almost 4 years now with no ill effects. The last xrays show her hips looking like someone took a pair of scallop scissors to the bone. She's not even a candidate for surgery.

Rimadyl can be a life saver but no, it's not without its risks. The way our vet did it was to prescribe a certain regimen for 7 days with close monitoring for stomach problems. That broke the pain cycle. We then lowered the dose to the smallest we could give her and keep her comfortable. Every 18 months or 2 years (I think we've had 3 done now, the first about 2 weeks after she started) we have a blood panel done to check her liver and kidney function. All is fine.

Don't immediately rule it out because someone else has had a bad experience. It doesn't make the drug worthless. My first Bouvier had grade 5 hip displaysia in days before Rimadyl and when there was no vet within 500 miles that was doing hip surgery. I watched him die from the pain. I won't let it ever happen again.

[radfringe]

2. our 9 year old airedale

has some arthritis - we give her a baby asprin when it starts bothering her

she has a problem with glucosamine - makes her vomit...

she is also overweight and now on a diet (she's not too happy with that....)

[livetohike]

4. Used glucosamine successfully with my older dogs

My brother's Viszla was diagnosed with arthritis at age 3. He uses Synflex (I think). I will check on this. It's a human grade glucosamine.

I would stay away from Rimadyl. From all I have read about this, it is not good.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Some sources for holistic/natural treatment of canine arthritis.

Not endorsing or claiming miracles here, but just saying that this MAY be worth investigating before putting your pup onto health risking drugs


http://www.carefreepet.com/category.html?cat1=dog&cat2=Arthritis%20Treatments

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/animal-health-supplies.htm

Source of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA / Flaxseed Oil) and Kelp for Pets
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#Kelp(sea vegetable) supplements (powder is best for pets).


Learn more about the incredible healing power of essential fatty acids

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/arthritispet.htm

[RebelOne]

7. I believe these remedies are a lot safer than the drugs

given for athritis. The Rottweiler I have now will be 8 years old on Sept. 15 and I think I will have to get her started on the holistic/natural remedies before any serious symptoms develop.

[linazelle]

8. Thank you for the great info. I will definitely try these. n/t

[roguevalley]

6. can you take her swimming? that helps sometimes.

[linazelle]

9. She hates water. I've never taken her swimming, baths are hard

enough. But the doc said I should be able to keep walking with her and the pain should subside with the glucosamine. On the other hand, the same doc DID give her Rimadyl. Hmmmm. I'll keep an eye on her with the walking. Even humans who have arthritis are told to exercise so it shouldn't hurt if she keeps walking.

[Branjor]

10. The above suggestions are great.......

Also, ester C is very helpful for arthritis. PLEASE do not give your dog Rimadyl! My dog Jordi died of a Rimadyl reaction.

[RebelOne]

11. Yes, my dog almost died from Rimadyl. See my post above.