arthritis meds for senior dogs

[tmv]

Hi there, this is a great new site. I was wondering if anyone has found any successful arthritis meds for senior dogs other than the rx rimadyl? My vet said that I could give mine 1/2 tab of aspirin a day.I don't know how effective that will be. I am just worrying about her kidneys/liver because she will be 14 years in April. She's a mixed border collie/chow chow weighing 75#. She's, also, my first "child" and loved so much. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[Weeser1]

Hi, I am so glad you posted that about Rimadyl. My dog Spud, Basett and cocker was on that for some time. I read a lot about the side effects & cut him way down and eventually off of it. He had a back injury when it was first started. He lived to be 15 but had Liver problems.

[cedarsmama]

Try Phyto Flex. It is a powder with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Yucca, VitC, hyaluronic acid, phytonutrients,herbs, and probiotics.  I get it from Nature's Farmacy.  It is organic. Miraculous results with my 10 year old Golden Retriever.
I am also doing Homeotoxicity twice a month.
Also, feed raw diet.
She is in great shape.

[el_em_en_oh]

ZUBRIN... one of the best, albeit expensive, medications on the market specifically designed for dogs with osteoarthritis. It's basically used to treat the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis in K9's. Talk to your vets people... this medication is pretty freaking awesome stuff. It'll give your aging dog a new lease on life.

[deadgamegrrl]

Aleve is not safe for dogs.  It can cause stomach ulcers.  I also believe it can be hard on the liver as well which is apparently already a problem for your pit.
Your vet can come up with some other NSAID options for pain relief.  Have you had your pit's bloodwork done to see where exactly the liver function is, or did you just see the jaundice and stop the rimadyl on your own?

[jessesmom1001]

I use Vetri Science Glycoflex III.

[maisypup]

IS ALEVE  SAFE FOR MY 12 Y/O PIT?? SHE WEIGHS AROUND 100 LBS AND I TOOK HER OFF RIMADYL AFTER SOME JAUNDICE APPEARED;;;ON GLUC WITH GSM DAILY.ANY SUGGESTIONS???   THANKS SO MUCH;;MARY ANN

[DOGAMBASSADOR]

Hi my name is Joseph Rivera and I am a canine massage therapist and a consultant at the ASPCA. I have 5 dogs the oldest just turned ten and I have been dealing with lameness for about 5 years now.  I have to note that most dogs are overweight which adds more impact to the hips, and knees. Have your dogs thyroids checked a problem I have come to learn about in the past two years.  Give your dog glucosamine and chondroitin, fish oils and vitamin D daily. Massage the hips and spine daily.  Please consult your vet before starting any treatment.  

for further info my website www.ANGELSonFOUR.com

[Cindylou]

momof2girls

My german shephard had the same symptoms as your Alaskan.  Turned out to have Degenerative Myelopathy.  This disease is prone to bigger dogs.  Read up on it.  They have no pain with it but there are other problems.  Prognosis is not good.  It starts with the stiffness in back legs,then feet turned inwards etc.  Don't want to scare you so read up on it and find out all about it to see if this is what your dog has.  

[lucymullis]

My 9 year old dog has had 2 knee surgeries and 2 ACL/menicus surgeries. I used to feed her solid gold, but switched to Natural Choice for Seniors.  It has both  chronditin and  glucosomine in it, so I don't have to give her pills.  She loves it!

[SarahWilson]

Adequan injections have low (really no) risk and have been proven quite effective (it is an injectable form glucosamine basically).

I agree with the above advice, FWIW. Like Metacam right now... my holistic vet had suggested oral glucosamine and MSM for my older arthritic dogs. Fish Oil, Ester C and such are all part of our regime here.

Hope you find something that makes your dog more comfortable.

[tmv]

My sister uses fish oil for her sheltie collie dog and it keeps her from shedding so much. She also had to cut back to a lower % of protein in the dogfood. I like the natural remedies, too.

[mslkpage]

I think I'll try the glucosamine and fish oil too. I prefer natural remedies if they are effective. It sure wouldn't hurt to try!

[live4fitness]

give glucosamine 2 pills twice a day and fish oil, I give with almond butter/ peanut butter. But you can try putting it on the food

[mslkpage]

Yes, it's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Under indications, it says:

"for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs."

Good luck! I know I hate to see any of my 4 pups in pain! : (

[MomOfTwoGrls]

What about ecotrin, which is another coasted asprin would that work.  and how much of the other stuff do you give.

Here is a little background.

I have a 9 year old alaskan malamute who recently has been having problems with her back leg.  She is in no pain or showing no pain, except stiffness in her back legs when she walks.  It is worse after she has been sitting awhile and tries to get up and walk around.  We started giving her Ecotrin, that is what my moms vet said to give there dog for arthritis,  in the morning and when we do that she seems fine.  

My only concern and she has a vet appt on april 14th is that when she walks, her left paw turns inwards as she is walking.  But again she is in no pain she will run like that in the backyard.  I don't think she has hip displasia, because I am told she would be in pain and just lie around and she doesn't do any of these things.  

any advice would help.  Thanks.
Becky

[live4fitness]

I have a 10 yr old pit bull with hip displasia she plays and runs and has a great time but in the winter she gets stiff sometimes like what you are discribing. I give her glucosamine it is a type of herb/vitamin. Go to your local vit shop and pick some up as well as fish oil it helps to lubrcate all joints and helps with other arthritic issues. I really don't like to give asprine type things can cause stomach ulsers and gasteric problems as well as any arthritic meds especially in older animals. But that is my 2 cents

[mslkpage]

Has your vet mentioned Metacam? I have a chow-mix that has had several sprains (she plays rough and often trips in the holes that she's dug), and it works well for her. My vet said it's a canine arthritis medicine, but it works for other types of pain managment too.

[tmv]

Wow, fantastic responses from all of you. Thank you again.mslkpage, I will ask him about the metacam. I think that may be a anti-inflamatory med ???not sure. To the rest of you, I'll definitely try the glucosamine and fish oil.  How much should I give her? I've heard of people poking a whole in the fish oil and pouring it over the dog food. Is that how you all give it to your pet? I slip meds into a 1" section of a hotdog to "disguise" it from Sasha, my dog.  Which way would be the best? Thank you all again and best of luck to your pets!

[live4fitness]

give ascripton- coated asprin but I recommend giving fish oil, glucosamine with condrotant (sp)and msm. Rimadyl is real hard on older dogs

by the way I ama vet tech