Arthritis In Seniors

[brandygirl]

My 9 yr old rottie girl has been limping a lot lately after lying down on the floor/her bed ect. after moving for a bit she is ok again until she rests. When lying on my bed she is ok (go figure!) - I believe she is experiencing the onset of arthritis in her rear legs/hips. It seems to only occur when it is really cold or wet/damp outside. Are there any masage techniques ect. that I can do to help aleviate some of her discomfort? I do give her glucosamine and do give her the heating pad (on low) when it is bad and I am there to supervise - I just hate to see her hurting if there is something I can do.

Any help, suggestions appreciated!!

OH! BTW - she just had a physical last month and passed with flying colours - no hip displacia ect. either.

[moondog]

I'd give her a course of Adequan injections and continue with injections on a 4-6 week schedule for maintentance (in addition to, or instead of, the oral glucosamine/chondroitin). Adequan works extremely well for dogs with arthritis! http://www.adequan.com/animal_health...ine/canine.htm

It's a bit pricey, but in my experience with it, it's worth every red cent and then some.

[hcelsa]

Some other great supplements for seniors (the first 4 are recommended by Elsa who is still active, bouncy and herds regularly at almost 10) include the following:
*Wild Salmon Oil (the single most effective thing for MY veteran...but every dogs an individual so that doesn't mean it would affect every dog the same)
*Glucosamine/Chrondrotin
*Duralactin
*MSM
These we haven't tried, but know others that have had great results:
*Bromelain
*Perna Mussel (don't know if I spelled that right)
*Adequan injections
*Yucca
*Traumeel

It's important to keep her weight down, and keep her active mentally and physically (warm water swimming is great for older dogs especially, check into dog pools in your area). I'm sure she'd enjoy massage as well .

[moondog]

Oh, I can second the Traumeel, too! Luna took it primarily for her intestinal disease, but it helped the arthritis in her elbows as well. Traumeel is used frequently to reduce the inflammation of sports injuries in people.

[Patty1231]

I use buffered aspirin - two with meals - for Perle as she recently developed a limp. The vet felt she overdid it out in the yard - we were laid up for 6-7 weeks with my ankle injury and not getting the usual exercize. You could try this to alleviate her pain until you decide on a maintenance regimen.

[Burnsway]

I had great results in the past with a mixture of missing link with Glucosamine and MSM pills. If it is a more seriouse situation I would talk to the vet about the Adequan injections.

[brandygirl]

Originally Posted by Burnsway

I had great results in the past with a mixture of missing link with Glucosamine and MSM pills. If it is a more seriouse situation I would talk to the vet about the Adequan injections.

Burnsway - what is "missing link" ???? I don't think I have heard of it?

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by brandygirl

Burnsway - what is "missing link" ???? I don't think I have heard of it?

Most petstores carry it. Here is a link to petsmarts:

At the top under search, pick dogs and type in Missing Link after the word for: Or you can just type in a google search under Missing link and find some other sites.

http://www.petsmart.com/ps/main.jsp

[panda]

Hi, We have replaced Cosequin DS with Cortaflex & Inflamex (natural painkiller), and are now slowly reducing the PLT (steroid), and Metacam. JoJo has OA in his elbows and shoulder, he now seems so much brighter and free from pain, but the stiffness is still there when he gets up, but does wear off after a minute or two.

Anne and JoJo

[Patty1231]

Are Cortaflex and Inflamex vet prescriptions or can you buy them outright?