What do you use for canine arthritis?
17 post(s)
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305 days ago
SheltieMan
16 post(s)
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We are looking for suggestions for our Bailey, a 9 year old black factored sable/white Sheltie. We are experimenting with chondroitin and other "neutraceuticals" to see what works best. He has arthritis in his lower back and rear legs. He's a bit crabby because of it (Dad understands because he has some of that, too) and Etogesic can only do so much.
Does anyone have any products they recommend trying or staying away from?
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305 days ago
TinaValant
847 post(s)
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This is what Mack gets. It made a HUGE difference within 2 weeks. He will never be without it!! Also, Baka (rottie, here) is also having great results. The key ingedient is green lip mussel
http://www.trilogyonline.com/Trilogy/Pets/Supplements/Agility.aspx?realname=40027805&cat=0&hdr=&Ath=False
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305 days ago
itsallmine
110 post(s)
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When my last dog was showing symptoms at around 13 years we used glucosamine, it worked great and you can buy it at any drugstore just adjust the dosage for your dog. Be sure that it is derived from shellfish and not corn, I don't know how they can get this stuff from two totally different sources but the corn derived glucosamine made Abby itch alot.
We wish you luck |
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304 days ago
rachelk
64 post(s)
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Emily has hip displaysa and we use glucosomine and chondroitin supplements along with half a tablet of Rymadyl on really bad days. Her vet says she should take it everyday but I dont feel that its necessary unless she's in fairly bad pain. She gets the glucosomine everyday and that seems to help her more than pain meds. Also you can talk to your vet about the possible benifits of using a low dose asprin for really bad days. However under no circumstances should you give your dog any type of NSAIDs used on humans. These can cause liver and kidney damage and are harder to process out of a dogs system.
http://www.springtimeinc.com/product/94/2 This is the website where we get Emily's supplements.
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304 days ago
TinaValant
847 post(s)
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Glad to hear you don't over use the Rimadyl. The side efffects can be very bad. My lab-shep, Casey (60#), had terrible arthritis and dysplasia. The vet had me give her one Ascriptin (people aspirin, coated in Maalox), every morning with her breakfast. It helped a lot. This was long before the glucosamine/chondrotin movement (which I take, daily, myself).
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304 days ago
SheltieMan
16 post(s)
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Hi folks! Thanks for the information.
We have tried chondroitin and glucosamine alone and together with no results. We just started using HyCel, which contains Celadryn (cetyl myristoleate complex), magnesium chealate and hayluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate). We need to wait at least a month for results, as we just started it two days ago. Hayluronic acid is frequently injected into arthritic and damaged joints to assist in healing, so maybe this will help.
One of the members of our rescue happens to be a co-owner of the company that distributes HyCel and donated a bottle to see if it will help Bailey. He normally gets 1/2 to 1 tab of Etogesic daily, depending on how his symptoms are affecting him. We stay away from Rimadyl, due to the liver issues it can create. Etogesic seems easier on Bailey, though we still monitor his liver enzymes every 6 months.
Bailey and I must be related, because chondroitin/glucosamine doesn't help me, either! It really bothers me to see him less active, as he used to be a fast runner and enjoyed limited agility and long walks. If HyCel doesn't work, we'll try the suggestions you folks have made here.
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304 days ago
TinaValant
847 post(s)
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Ask your vet about adding fish oil (another thing we 2 leggeds should all be taking, too!).
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304 days ago
SheltieMan
16 post(s)
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D'oh, Tina! I should have mentioned that he gets 1200mg of fish oil daily (and I get twice that).
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304 days ago
TinaValant
847 post(s)
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EXcellent, G! For both of you ;-)
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303 days ago
aussie6pk
153 post(s)
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When the glucosamine complex stopped working for my 2 old men went to Metacam. It's made a HUGE difference for Maverick (hipe dysplasia) and Wallie (arthritis). By the way, on bad days you can use a baby aspirin. I had Mav on that for years too, trying to head off other stuff, like Rimadyl (which I did not want to use with a herding dog) , but there comes a point when you have to start measuring quality vs. quantity of life.
Bear in mind not all glucosamines are created equal. Both Vitamin C&E do help to boost it though.
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303 days ago
SheltieMan
16 post(s)
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Hi Aussie6Pk,
(And I thought 4 Shelties was nuts!) Thanks!
I think I'll ask the vet about Metacam the next time he goes in for his checkup. We were using a glucosamine specifically for dogs that was recommended by our vet at the time, but the trade name escapes me now.
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303 days ago
aussie6pk
153 post(s)
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By the way SheltieMan you might ask a Sheltie Rescuer about things to stay away from, although if it applies to Aussies it probably applies to Shelties as well. Maybe it was Cosequin they suggested? Alot of vets suggest that as well as Glyco Flex (which has the mussel Tina talked about). If you need any of them you might ask your vet to fax scrip to Lambriar Vet....they are quite a bit cheaper on meds.
fyi....I had Shelties before Aussies :)
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256 days ago
SheltieMan
16 post(s)
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Well everyone,
We found the answer, or rather, it found us.
One of NVSR's members, Meg Jones, works for Fox Den Equine and has a product called HyCel specifically for this condition. Now, we're not vets nor are we scientists. However, we can observe, record and draw conclusions. After 30 days on HyCel, we have our old Bailey back. He's running, jumping and playing just like he did just a few short years ago. All we can say is that it works!
They also have a version for humans, too. I just started on it, as I have arthritic joint problems, too...
www.foxdenequine.com
Product description: NEW! HyCel Canine(TM)
Celadrin(TM), Hyaluronic Acid and Magnesium for membrane and joint health - now you can get the same wonderful benefits of HyCelT(M) for your dog! In a recent study, 73% of dog owners found that HyCel Canine(TM) improved the quality of their dog's lives. No side effects, restores joint mobility and improves skin and coat. Get a new lease of life for your dog, give them HyCel Canine(TM)!
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256 days ago
aussie6pk
153 post(s)
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I recently switched my 2 old men on Metacam to a Glucosamine/Chondroiten/MSM/Mussel/Hyaluronic Acid formule called Arthri Soothe Gold from Natur Vet http://www.naturvet.com/listingview.php?listingID=85 and they are doing GREAT. I will still get Metacam if the need arises though. My two are getting up there so I have to weigh quality vs. quantity, but for now they are getting both---YEAH!!!!
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256 days ago
SheltieMan
16 post(s)
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Sounds very similar to HyCel. We have another 10 year old that we will put on it soon as a preventative measure, as recently he has started to slow down while playing. He used to be able to run forever. We're wondering if it's the beginning of arthritis in his joints, too.
Our other two are fairly young (around 6 y/o), so we think we're ok with them for now. At least we know what signs to look for now. We feel really dense about missing Bailey's slowdown, because my wife is an RN and we both have some arthritis of our own. You'd think we would have been a little more observant!
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255 days ago
kay
49 post(s)
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Here are a few "holistic" approaches
Treatments for Arthritic Pain in Dogs
The following suggestions are for a large dog, approximately 85-100 lbs. If your dog is smaller or larger you will need to adjust the amounts accordingly.
The following supplements may be started immediately and given every day:
Vitamin C Very good for the dog regardless of what is wrong, and sometimes very useful for joint pains; a natural anti-inflammatory. Start slowly with 500 mg/day and add another 250 mg every three days until you are giving 3000 mg/day. If at any time you notice diarrhea or loose stools, back the dosage down, wait several days, and then try to increase it again.
Vitamin E A natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, used successfully in large doses to treat German Shepherd Dogs with a neurological condition called Degenerative Myelopathy. Give 400 IU/day. To read more about Degenerative Myelopathy click here.
Alfalfa An herb that contains many minerals, aids digestion, and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Looks like green powder. Use half the human dose, and open up the capsule to sprinkle over food. Alternatively, you can purchase it in bulk in one pound lots. Use about a teaspoon a day.
Fish oil Not the same thing as cod liver oil, this is fish body oil, and contains essential fatty acids that benefit dogs (and people!) enormously. You can buy this in capsule form. You need to poke a hole in the capsule and squeeze it out. You can also buy it in liquid form and pour about a teaspoon over the food. Gradually increase to a tablespoon, over a period of several days.
After you are doing the above, start one of the supplements below in addition. Try one thing at a time and give several weeks before deciding if it works. If you do not see any improvement, then you can try something else on the list. If you do them all at once, it costs more money and you will never know which one of these things is the one that is helpful for your particular dog. Choose from the following list:
Glucosamine/Chondroitin very successful in treating arthritic pains in humans and dogs. Widely available. Look for a brand that contains magnesium and vitamins C & D, which enhance the body’s ability to absorb and utilize the beneficial glucosamine. Some brands also contain herbal factors that further increase the product’s efficacy. You may see results in a week or two, or it could take longer.
Dose: 3 pills (500 mg each) per day—2 in the morning and one at night
Glycoflex You can get this from a vet, or mail order it from pet catalogs. It is made out of something called green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) and smells very fishy, but dogs love the taste. Follow instructions on the label. Many people have success with this for dogs with hip dysplasia.
Yucca An herb that contains natural steroids to reduce pain and inflammation in joints. You can buy it as a powder or in drops, called a tincture, from a health food store. If you buy capsules (powder), open them up and sprinkle on the food. Follow the label and use half the dose for humans. Do not use for more than two weeks at a time, then stop for a week, then start up again.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) Another anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory used for joint pains. Is is also good for the skin and hair. Comes in capsules, it is a powder. Open the capsule and sprinkle over food. Use one capsule per day.
Devil’s Claw An herb often combined with Yucca. Anti-inflammatory, for joint pains. Powder or liquid, use half the human dose and open up the capsules.
Nettle another herb for arthritis
Dandelion another herb for arthritis, usually combined with something else.
If you'd rather use a pre-mixed product, specifically formulated for pets, you may find the following links helpful:
Enhance Arthritis/Joint Aid for Dogs, Unique, effective custom blend of completely natural, human-grade ingredients. Developed by Aunt Jeni and her team of Animal Science Researchers, to give your pet a well rounded defense against the pain and immobility associated with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and many other debilitating joint conditions. Veterinarian approved formula is even tasty enough to make administration a breeze--your dog will think this is a treat!
ARTHRIX for dogs and cats provides essential building blocks for the synthesis of cartilage and the fluids surrounding joints, thereby improving joint mobility. It also contains natural anti-inflammatory agents which work together to stimulate your pet's own healing system.
Winston's Joint Formula is a combination of three totally-natural whole food supplements developed by a Naturopathic Doctor for his own dog. No drugs. No side-effects because it's all just good whole food. No dosage problems because the body uses only what it needs. And now, with the latest product release, the formula is showing results that are even more remarkable.
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227 days ago
rudydog
1 post(s)
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I have a 10 year old beagle who has had arthritis in his hips for several years until I started making his own kibble and organic and natural dog treats. He has stopped limping and we walk a mile every morning. His overall health has dramatically improved...I now offer some of the reason for his remedy at www.rudydogbakery.com |
