Supplements or Prescription for Arthritis?

[zorro13]

Observer: You know after I saw rottnkid's posts, I decided to expand my search beyond the companies I deal with and I found many sites where I can order from. And, a lot cheaper to boot. Thank goodness cause my vet doesn't carry the one I want so now I can get it online and probably a lot cheaper. I am paying 60.00/month for the duralactin alone right now, and about 200.00 for the cosequin. So, I thank you for your post.

To anyone using Rimadyl, while it is none of my business, I really hope you explore more safer options for your dogs, they are out there. Back around 1999, my 2nd rottie had a little bit of arthritis in his back pasterns, his hips were fine. My vet suggested Rimadyl, I said no way, at that time, I put and dosed him on a horse supplement which worked wonders for him.

[ssutton31864]

Thanks for all the post I have decided to try the SynoviG3 started Rock on it on Monday the 22nd. I got the soft chews, and it has been alittle bit of a struggle to get him to take them at times, I am hoping that he will get used to them and learn to enjoy them as a treat. Thanks for all the info.

[observer]

I'll bet he gets used to them.. Missy waits for me to crumble hers on top of her food (if I don't do that, she just swallows it whole half the time, and I'd rather she actually enjoyed it a little bit. I like the Synovi because they don't smell obnxious to me like the Glycoflex did. I'm switching to a different chewable this next time, hopefully she will like them too.

[ssutton31864]

I have been using the Synovi G3 for about 2 months now did the intial 1 month higher dosage then went to maintenance have not really noticed much difference in Rock's level of comfort since starting the use of Synovi G3. Most discomfort is when he has been laying and gets up, when he is up and moving he is fine, when I take him outside plays like a much younger dog. Was thinking about switching and trying Joint Max, anyone ever try this? If so what did you think of it? Also when switching from one product to another would you just continue on the maintenance dosage or start the whole procedure again? Its time to reorder and I am not sure if I should try something different with hopefully better results or to continue with what we started using.

[MOKASMOM]

I use a product by Thorne called Arthoplex. Moka has been taking it now for a couple years with great results. It is all natural. She does also get a adequan injection monthly since she has HD and arthritis and she will just be turning 4 this year. She has had arthritis since she was a year old and I have tried many medications including Rimadyl, and Meticam. After researching those drugs I knew it would not be good for Moka since she will need it for life so I opted to all natural drugs and so far it has worked.

Good luck in your search.

[observer]

This is as good a place as any to update. After seeing that Missy still tends to take weight off that left leg when standing after exercise, with a fair amount of quivering involved, I decided to give her a trial on pharmaceuticals. We did a trial of Metacam (happily concealed in a dollop of pumpkin) for two weeks, with evident improvement and good toleration of the medication. So, I think we will stay on it and see how we go... occasional blood work is worth seeing her looking more energetic and happier.

[Miss Greta]

I missed this post earlier. I have a 6 yo with HD, arthritis, and what the vets now feel was OCD that was missed. Needless to say, she is a mess. Here are her meds:
Gluco/chondrotin/MSM/bromelain/vit C (thru Drsfostersmith)
Adequan injections every 3 weeks
Duralactin
Deramaxx
Salmon oil
Tramadol (a pain pill)

There is also something called DogGonePain you may want to look into. She was on Rimadyl for about 2 years, but had a very bad flair of the arthritis in November so was switched to Deramaxx. Keep the weight low, exercise every day-walking on soft surfaces is good, swimming is the best. And accupuncture and chiropractic are also good alternatives.

[fostermom]

I have been supplimenting my older gal with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, ester C, fish oil..I tried adequan injections which didn't seem to work although I've heard they work wonders in many dogs..recently added DogGonePain (DGP) when the suppliments alone were no longer enough and have been happy with the improvement...my girl has (according to vet who x-rayed) horrible hips and arthritis in spine....if you decide to try DGP check out Dog Gone Pain, Joint Support, 60 Capsules, AMERICAN BIO SCIENCES for a much lower rate. Both adequan and DGP will improve damaged joints....rimadyl and othe NSAIDS actually cause additional damage in addition to the side effects.

[Marian Fuller]

I have my dog on Adequan shots. I also use Glyco Flex III, Ligaplex II, Omega 3+6+9.. I have also tried Traumeel and Arnica when needed. Outside from the arthritis my dog also torn his CCL so that is why I use what I use. I also know Yucca is good. I am awaiting for him to recover from TPLO surgery before I try anything else. Hope this helps.

[ssutton31864]

I use only Nolvasan Otic. This is what I originally got from my vet and have had good experience with it. I agree with previous posters if your pup is shaking his head please have your vet check. I had a female rottie that had a chronic problem with yeast infections in her ears it would clear up for a couple months and then for no reason it would come back. Battled this problem for the last three years of her life before I lost her to OS.



Sorry posted on wrong thread, already reposted.

[OdinsMom01]

I have switched my 8 year old male with HD recently back to Cosequin DS and I went back up to the higher dosage, mainly because of the cold here and he has recently developed arthritis. I'll drop back down to the maintance dosage once the weather warms up. He also gets MSM and we've recently added Traumeel, which is wonderful, someone on this site suggested it and it's helped him so much. He also has problems getting up from a laying down position, and this seems to help with that.

I keep Tramadol on hand for periods when he seems to be in more pain, when he has a "flare up" as I like to call it, and usually after about 5 days we can stop giving it, it works very well in handling his pain. I will not give my dog Rimadyl, and the vet suggested Tramadol, as he's seen a lot of success with this and very little side affects.

Good luck with your boy, I know it's hard to see them suffer from Arthritis, it's a balance trying to keep them as comfortable as possible.