My Dog has Arthritis. What to do?

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  • Raven
    Confirmed User
    • Jul 2001
    • 6874
    #1

    My Dog has Arthritis. What to do?

    I've got a shih-tzu who is going on eleven years old. Poor thing has arthritis in her back legs. We've had her on baby aspirin and now she's progressed to Rimadyl, which is really hard on her stomach, which means we have to give her Pepto Bismol.

    Any other solutions for my 11 pound baby?
    Raven

    ~RETIRED~
    Tags: None
    • RayBonga
      too cool for highschool
      • Nov 2005
      • 12164
      #2
      Put her to rest.

        Comment

        • chase
          Confirmed User
          • Jul 2004
          • 6019
          #3
          Fish oil supplements help my mom...I've heard they have the same supplements for canines.
          Need Hosting? Reality Check Network services me purrrfectly!

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            • RainGurl
              Keep It Juicy!
              • Jul 2003
              • 551
              #4
              sorry to hear that raven. my 13-year old dog has arthiritis. we have her on cosequin (over the counter) and Previcox. Previcox is an anti-inflamatory that has the least side effects. She's been on it for about 2 months now with no stomach problems at all. It is expensive (up to $4 a pill if you buy it through your vet.) I would suggest getting a script from your vet and odering it online, where you'll find it for about 1.20 a pill. My dog is 60 pounds and gets a full pill so I'd imagine yours would get about 1/4 at most. email me if you need more info, you know where to find me.
              Rainey
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                • RayBonga
                  too cool for highschool
                  • Nov 2005
                  • 12164
                  #5
                  Originally posted by RayBonga
                  Put her to rest.
                  Seriously, I'd try to talk to a vet. Many commonly used medications can be poisonous to dogs, you'll need someone to help you figuring out what dosage to use.

                    Comment

                    • pawsregd
                      Confirmed User
                      • Jun 2005
                      • 2290
                      #6
                      Glucosamine works well for one of my girlfriend's dogs. She has it in her back legs as well. 1 pill a day helps her.

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                        • Raven
                          Confirmed User
                          • Jul 2001
                          • 6874
                          #7
                          Originally posted by RayBonga
                          Put her to rest.
                          I will, if she continues to be in pain. So far, the Rimadyl helps with the pain; but, the side effects are not pleasant for her.

                          Eleven isn't so old these days....but quality over quantity is what we want for our puppies.
                          Raven

                          ~RETIRED~

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                            • Raven
                              Confirmed User
                              • Jul 2001
                              • 6874
                              #8
                              Originally posted by RainGurl
                              sorry to hear that raven. my 13-year old dog has arthiritis. we have her on cosequin (over the counter) and Previcox. Previcox is an anti-inflamatory that has the least side effects. She's been on it for about 2 months now with no stomach problems at all. It is expensive (up to $4 a pill if you buy it through your vet.) I would suggest getting a script from your vet and odering it online, where you'll find it for about 1.20 a pill. My dog is 60 pounds and gets a full pill so I'd imagine yours would get about 1/4 at most. email me if you need more info, you know where to find me.
                              Thanks, Rainey....I will talk to my vet about Previcox....I don't mind the expense...well, I do, but it's my baby...
                              Raven

                              ~RETIRED~

                                Comment

                                • Peaches
                                  Old broad
                                  • Oct 2002
                                  • 13933
                                  #9
                                  Raven, I'm having the same problems with my 10 year old. I'm not sure it's arthitis as it's been a problem since I got him 9 years ago - per the vet, he has "loose legs" but I suspect in conjunction with that he's getting arthitis. I took them to my brother's for Christmas and everyone thought he was older than my 13 year old

                                  I have him on the NutroMax for older dogs which has Gluwhatever in it, I started putting Synovi-MSM powder in his food about 3 weeks ago (they say it takes 4-6 weeks to see any improvement) and he gets a dose of Metacam every day. I talked to the vet about increasing the Metacam to twice a day since that seems to work for about 1/2 the day but he said increasing will cause liver damage.

                                  It's breaking my heart

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                                    • LadyMischief
                                      Orgasms N Such!
                                      • Sep 2002
                                      • 18135
                                      #10
                                      Get the glucoasamine tablets they give humans and put the powder on her food.. won't clear it up with it might help and will also help prevent other injuries. Be VERY careful with her back legs, make sure she doesn't have to jump up on anything, dogs that age are at MAJOR risk of tearing the ligaments in their back knees, and the surgery often can't help older dogs with this injury, the only choice is to put them down.

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                                        • RainGurl
                                          Keep It Juicy!
                                          • Jul 2003
                                          • 551
                                          #11
                                          good luck, raven. my dog also has degenerative joint disease in her back legs, which required basically a hip replacement about 2 years ago. unfortunately, we've recently found out that she has terminal bone cancer in one of her front legs. putting her down will be a step we'll have to take soon, just a very, very hard one.
                                          Rainey
                                          [email protected]
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                                            • Raven
                                              Confirmed User
                                              • Jul 2001
                                              • 6874
                                              #12
                                              Well, she had something wrong with her patella from when we got her as a baby, so this is a problem that's been coming on for years. It's not fun watching that back leg when she walks..it's getting kind of wobbly.

                                              She's a spoiled, whiney baby, so I think, if she were in pain, we'd know it....Miss Sensitive cries when she gets her temperature taken.....wuss....

                                              I'll talk to my vet about glucosamine and chondroitin...I know plenty of humans who benefit from that....

                                              And, she's already on Nutra Max for Seniors..has been for a few years.

                                              Putting it in the food won't work because all five dogs share a food bowl and are picky eaters...they won't eat if we do that....

                                              It sucks when dogs start to age.
                                              Raven

                                              ~RETIRED~

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                                                • Persignup Dustin
                                                  Confirmed User
                                                  • Dec 2005
                                                  • 871
                                                  #13
                                                  Take him out back and shoot 'im


                                                  AWARD WINNING PATENTED MALE ENHANCEMENT PUBOCOCCYGEUS PC MUSCLE STRENGTH TRAINER SYSTEM 100% ALL NATURAL YOUR SATISFACTION IS ASSURED.

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                                                    • sonofsam
                                                      Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                      • Dec 2004
                                                      • 18647
                                                      #14
                                                      awww that's horrible... i never really understood how people got attached to dogs till me and my gf got one... and shes on our minds 24/7 like our baby.. it was heartbreaking having to leave her at the vet to get her surgery, and i can only imagine how much it would hurt to have her put down

                                                      good luck with it
                                                      I like turtles.

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                                                        • Peaches
                                                          Old broad
                                                          • Oct 2002
                                                          • 13933
                                                          #15
                                                          Raven, the Synovi-MSM also comes in tablets. The Metacam is a liquid that I fill a syringe with (it's measured according to weight) and squirt it into his mouth. It must taste good because loves it and licks the whole syringe ;)

                                                          My three pugs would kill each other if they shared the same bowl, lol! It's hard enough keeping whomever finished first away from the bowls that might have a morsel or two left

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                                                            • WarChild
                                                              Let slip the dogs of war.
                                                              • Jan 2003
                                                              • 17263
                                                              #16
                                                              Vets can't seem to agree that Glucosamine helps at all. Studies go both ways. It's supposed to help lubricate the joints, but again there's no hard proof of this. That being said, I give it to my Rottweiler who had her hips basically removed (salvage surgery). Try to get it in the HCl (Hydrochloride) form and not in the sulfate form. It thought to be absorbed a little better.

                                                              I also use a human painkiller called Meloxicam on the same dog. It has to be dosed down for dogs but is much cheaper than the Veterinary equivilent when prescribed this way. Many dogs can get away with getting it every other day and it's not too bad on their stomach in this fashion.

                                                              Your Vet is the only person that can really help you here. If you listen to anyone on GFY without contacting a professional, you're making a bad choice.
                                                              .

                                                                Comment

                                                                • Brad Gosse
                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                  • Jan 2002
                                                                  • 2616
                                                                  #17
                                                                  We give our dog Glucosamine daily.

                                                                  It's supposed to be great, I have noriced a small improvement.
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                                                                    • DobermanB
                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                      • Nov 2005
                                                                      • 268
                                                                      #18
                                                                      Sorry to hear that, but you come to GFY for advice?

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                                                                        • tony299
                                                                          lurker
                                                                          • Aug 2002
                                                                          • 57021
                                                                          #19
                                                                          Originally posted by Brad Gosse
                                                                          We give our dog Glucosamine daily.

                                                                          It's supposed to be great, I have noriced a small improvement.
                                                                          we give to our dog he is 8 and i thought its probably bullshit but we will try it and it made a big difference.
                                                                          http://www.lvpets.com/shopping/food.htm
                                                                          this looks promising i havent ordered it yet

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                                                                            • MandyBlake
                                                                              The one and only!
                                                                              • Nov 2002
                                                                              • 17761
                                                                              #20
                                                                              Originally posted by tony404
                                                                              we give to our dog he is 8 and i thought its probably bullshit but we will try it and it made a big difference.
                                                                              http://www.lvpets.com/shopping/food.htm
                                                                              this looks promising i havent ordered it yet
                                                                              i hate it when you beat me to posts!
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                                                                                • Raven
                                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                                  • Jul 2001
                                                                                  • 6874
                                                                                  #21
                                                                                  Originally posted by DobermanB
                                                                                  Sorry to hear that, but you come to GFY for advice?
                                                                                  Why wouldn't I? Most GFY'ers have dogs or cats.....I know many of those who post here...

                                                                                  What an odd question.
                                                                                  Raven

                                                                                  ~RETIRED~

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                                                                                    • Sam Granger
                                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                                      • Dec 2004
                                                                                      • 3958
                                                                                      #22
                                                                                      Raven, I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. I know its very hard to say goodbye to a pet. Its like loosing a child. However, if the pain does continue to get worse, I would suggest you to put her down. Its hard to loose a pet that you have had for over 13 years but you really have to think whats best for her. What side effects does Pepto Bismol have? If it doesn't have anything too bad, just use that but otherwise, its not a very nice life your dog is having.

                                                                                      Hope your little baby gets better though and that you don't have to put her down.

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                                                                                        • Raven
                                                                                          Confirmed User
                                                                                          • Jul 2001
                                                                                          • 6874
                                                                                          #23
                                                                                          Originally posted by Sam Granger
                                                                                          Raven, I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. I know its very hard to say goodbye to a pet. Its like loosing a child. However, if the pain does continue to get worse, I would suggest you to put her down. Its hard to loose a pet that you have had for over 13 years but you really have to think whats best for her. What side effects does Pepto Bismol have? If it doesn't have anything too bad, just use that but otherwise, its not a very nice life your dog is having.

                                                                                          Hope your little baby gets better though and that you don't have to put her down.
                                                                                          I can tell you've been down this road.....Pepto has virtually no side effects, other than the fact that we don't give it to her every day.....

                                                                                          So far, she's not in horrific pain...not even close....which is why we are not considering the final option....and, believe me, she would let us know....

                                                                                          I am with you, however. I do believe in quality over quantity...and, while it's the hardest decision in the world, I would rather her die than suffer just because I don't want to be without her.
                                                                                          Raven

                                                                                          ~RETIRED~

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                                                                                            • Sam Granger
                                                                                              Confirmed User
                                                                                              • Dec 2004
                                                                                              • 3958
                                                                                              #24
                                                                                              Raven, I've just asked my mom if she knows anything about it (she's got a pretty handy book). This is what it says about how to reduce arthritis (this is for humans but wouldn't see why it wouldn;t work for dogs.)

                                                                                              #1
                                                                                              Cider vinegar has long been held in some country districts to bring ease to arthiritis. It can certainly do no harm to substitute cider vinegar for any other vinegar in the diet, but, as few peope use vinegar every day, those who want to try cider vinegar as a remedy should take a teaspoon of cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in hot water every day.

                                                                                              #2
                                                                                              A handful of Epsom Salts in a hot bath each day is another popular one.

                                                                                              Anyway, I'm no sure if your dog would drink the honey and vinegar stuff (the hot water is only so the honey mixes with the water so i think when it coold down its also ok?). I know from my animals that they hate taking medication but its worth a try.

                                                                                              Hope this helps.

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                                                                                                • ry0t
                                                                                                  So Fucking Banned
                                                                                                  • Feb 2003
                                                                                                  • 4160
                                                                                                  #25
                                                                                                  my 12 year old german shepard is on a low dose of prednisone prescribed by the vet. for those two people saying put him to rest you can go eat a dick.

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                                                                                                    • Sam Granger
                                                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                                                      • Dec 2004
                                                                                                      • 3958
                                                                                                      #26
                                                                                                      Originally posted by ry0t
                                                                                                      my 12 year old german shepard is on a low dose of prednisone prescribed by the vet. for those two people saying put him to rest you can go eat a dick.
                                                                                                      Well, if he isn't suffering too much, its ok but otherwise its kind of inhumane. It sucks when your pets are sick and its very hard to choose for the right thing. I've lost some pets and it really sucks.

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                                                                                                        • Peaches
                                                                                                          Old broad
                                                                                                          • Oct 2002
                                                                                                          • 13933
                                                                                                          #27
                                                                                                          Originally posted by ry0t
                                                                                                          my 12 year old german shepard is on a low dose of prednisone prescribed by the vet. for those two people saying put him to rest you can go eat a dick.
                                                                                                          I agree for the situation Raven's dog is currently in, but for a dog in extreme pain who can't find relief, it's the only fair thing to do

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                                                                                                            • wedouglas
                                                                                                              So Fucking Banned
                                                                                                              • Aug 2004
                                                                                                              • 5921
                                                                                                              #28
                                                                                                              I really regret putting my dog to sleep. Can still tear up picturing his face when I did it. I'll never do it again.

                                                                                                              Would you want to be killed if you had bad arthiritis? Let them go on their own at home
                                                                                                              Last edited by wedouglas; 01-20-2006, 09:01 AM.

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                                                                                                                • rigrunner
                                                                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                                                                  • Jan 2004
                                                                                                                  • 877
                                                                                                                  #29
                                                                                                                  I've got a shih-tzu with the same problem, he used to get it bad in his back legs to the point where he wouldn't walk. We took him to the vet and got some vitamin supplements. The vet suggested feeing him more seafood too (my dog isnt fussy about what he eats!). Not sure which of the two helped most but now he's fine. :D

                                                                                                                  Occassionally he gets it again when the weather is really cold but a bit of a massage on his leg sorts it.

                                                                                                                  Hope you get it sorted!
                                                                                                                  Get Nasty - Make Bank Here

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                                                                                                                    • Sam Granger
                                                                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                                                                      • Dec 2004
                                                                                                                      • 3958
                                                                                                                      #30
                                                                                                                      Originally posted by wedouglas
                                                                                                                      I really regret putting my dog to sleep. Can still tear up picturing his face when I did it. I'll never do it again.

                                                                                                                      Would you want to be killed if you had bad arthiritis?
                                                                                                                      If i had a lot of pain, yes.

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                                                                                                                        • wedouglas
                                                                                                                          So Fucking Banned
                                                                                                                          • Aug 2004
                                                                                                                          • 5921
                                                                                                                          #31
                                                                                                                          Originally posted by Sam Granger
                                                                                                                          If i had a lot of pain, yes.
                                                                                                                          Wait till your time comes. You'll probably be thinking otherwise.

                                                                                                                          Everyone is always so quick to except death over hardship, it's depressing.

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                                                                                                                            • Sam Granger
                                                                                                                              Confirmed User
                                                                                                                              • Dec 2004
                                                                                                                              • 3958
                                                                                                                              #32
                                                                                                                              I had a friend that was in a lot of pain and he wanted to get put down. I believe this was before euthanasia was legal in the netherlands i believe so he ended up taking his own life. I don't blame him. If you're in a real pain, it really sucks living. It just depends how much pain it is. I would be able to live with a bit but if it gets unbareable and nothing can be done, I would want to get put out of my misery.

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                                                                                                                                • Peaches
                                                                                                                                  Old broad
                                                                                                                                  • Oct 2002
                                                                                                                                  • 13933
                                                                                                                                  #33
                                                                                                                                  Originally posted by wedouglas
                                                                                                                                  Would you want to be killed if you had bad arthiritis? Let them go on their own at home
                                                                                                                                  If I was in constant pain that couldn't be controlled, I'd do whatever was required to end my life.

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                                                                                                                                    • wedouglas
                                                                                                                                      So Fucking Banned
                                                                                                                                      • Aug 2004
                                                                                                                                      • 5921
                                                                                                                                      #34
                                                                                                                                      Originally posted by Peaches
                                                                                                                                      If I was in constant pain that couldn't be controlled, I'd do whatever was required to end my life.
                                                                                                                                      Can't say tha until you are faced with death. When someone is sitting next to you about to pull the plug you'll probably think twice.

                                                                                                                                      Did you know most bridge jumpers who survive usually regret it the second they jump?

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                                                                                                                                        • Peaches
                                                                                                                                          Old broad
                                                                                                                                          • Oct 2002
                                                                                                                                          • 13933
                                                                                                                                          #35
                                                                                                                                          Originally posted by wedouglas
                                                                                                                                          Can't say tha until you are faced with death. When someone is sitting next to you about to pull the plug you'll probably think twice.
                                                                                                                                          Considering I have a living will, that won't happen. I want to make sure that if I can't live a quality life, I won't have to

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                                                                                                                                            • 421Fill
                                                                                                                                              So Fucking Banned
                                                                                                                                              • Nov 2001
                                                                                                                                              • 20659
                                                                                                                                              #36
                                                                                                                                              give her lots of love.

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                                                                                                                                                • Raven
                                                                                                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                                                                                                  • Jul 2001
                                                                                                                                                  • 6874
                                                                                                                                                  #37
                                                                                                                                                  I was in the medical profession. Watching someone writhe in unrelenting pain is more than most of us could bear on a 24 hour basis.

                                                                                                                                                  I'm all for passive 'snowing', as we called it..if only to give relief and allow the body to slowly shut down.

                                                                                                                                                  Peaches is right. Yoshi is not at the point where we need to make the decision to put her down....but, I do need another solution to Rimadyl, which many of you have kindly provided...in order to keep from having to make that horrific decision.

                                                                                                                                                  Death is not always the enemy. I truly believe that.
                                                                                                                                                  Raven

                                                                                                                                                  ~RETIRED~

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                                                                                                                                                    • Sam Granger
                                                                                                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                                                                                                      • Dec 2004
                                                                                                                                                      • 3958
                                                                                                                                                      #38
                                                                                                                                                      Keep us updated

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