[Guest]

My male is 11 and is starting to suffer from arthritis. He also has a shoulder tear that we cant do surgery on, so he will be going on long term meds. Just wondering what most of you give for this he has been on rymadyl and tramadol for 10 days now doesnt seem to be helping much. I worry about these meds for long term one vet says they are safe as long as we check liver another says no. We see the vet again on Tuesday
thanks

 

[Kevinismybrother]

I always thought laser treatment was crazy till we did it on my old dog - now 14. He is also on Rymadyl every day and has been lucky to show no side effects. He walks and even runs now and then

BTW - my wife is an equipment specialist for a distributor, so the treatments for us are free since she has a "demo" unit - they may be pricy from a vet, but they do work. It also works on her arthritis, but I am not at liberty to discuss her age.

 

[Carol]

I have a dog with severe spondylosis - his entire spine is fused, he also has arthritis in his elbows and shoulders. I was giving him lots of supplements, plus monthly adequan shots. Nothing seemed to help. He didn't want to do anything. I put him on the Science Diet - Joint Disease food. I know lots of people think it's junk food and it's very expensive, but the difference in the dog was unbelievable. I was able to stop giving any supplements and no more monthly shots. He was getting just the food until this year. He now also takes a half of a 75 mg Rimydal twice a day. He'll be 13 in 3 weeks and still acts like a puppy most of the time. This dog also has been on pheno for 10 years for seizures. I have regular blood work done and so far no issues with liver or kidney problems.

 

[metalone67]

Sounds cold but with an older dog going on long term Meds usually wont effect the dogs system before their passing. Keeping them comfortable outweighs the long term of the Meds.
Put on Meds and have a blast and give as many treats as they want.

 

[ErinsEdge]

My male is 11 and is starting to suffer from arthritis. He also has a shoulder tear that we cant do surgery on, so he will be going on long term meds. Just wondering what most of you give for this he has been on rymadyl and tramadol for 10 days now doesnt seem to be helping much. I worry about these meds for long term one vet says they are safe as long as we check liver another says no. We see the vet again on Tuesday
thanks

My understanding is if they are going to have problems with the meds it is in the first 2 weeks as far as liver. Many dogs have lived years on NSAIDS with an improved quality of life, including several of mine. Maybe try one of the other NSAIDS like Metacam. It's kind of like aspirin works for some people, aleve for others and advil for still others. Just don't mix them. With the Metacam you can give less once they are better. With mine I only give it 2 or 3 times a week.

 

[suepuff]

DO talk to your vet about Adequan injections. I have a dog with bi-lateral elbow dysplasia and had an old girl with knee issues. Adequan kept them moving fluidly for many years. Coals elbows on palpation since we started on the Adequan are great. Oral glucosamine like Dasaquin with MSM helps also.

If your dog is at the point where there is no cartilage in the joints, it might not work. If he does though...go for it. It's worth every penny.

Sue Puff

 

[gdgnyc]

My springer is on Adequan and trammadol. He can now take walks again, get up on the couch, and maneuver quite well in the house. This is quite different from what I had before therapy---his hind end would collapse, he would lie down and wimper, and couldn't walk more than 100 yards. I also make sure that my walks include what I call physical therapy. We do figure eights, we walk up onto small hills, we walk on uneven surfaces, etc. I have built him up to two .75 mile walks a day which includes a walk up a steep .2 mile hill.

My springer is 13 years old and is otherwise in pretty good health.

 

[Guest]

Thanks I will talk to my vet about these options. It will have been 2 weeks being on these meds thats why he wants to check blood. Both his front legs are bad one with the shoulder the other seems painful to be at the wrist koint it creaks when he walks which is something new and all he wants to do is lick it to the point of a lick sore so I know it bothers him. Nights seem to be the worst he is up and down all night.

 

[Amy Avery]

My 12 year old Lab has been on Meloxicam 7.5 mil daily and Glyco-Flex III for his severe arthritis, he now walks around, gets up the steps and not wimpering anymore. Only every now and then if he does to much he will get a Tramadol.

 

[3 black dogs]

My 9 year old has arthritis starting in his shoulder we started him on Adequan we just finished his 4rth injection and we are seeing a big difference. already.

Chris

 

[Billie]

Cindy,
I 2nd the Adequan, but not sure of its effectiveness on long term joint pain?
You might ask about Rx: Previcox. or Derramax. I think each NSAID 's effectiveness varies with each dog- The Rimadyl, always made Billie puke, but I could use the Derramax and then later the Previcox and it worked well to keep her comfortable.
Mickie injured something-she gets Prev. as needed but its not as effective- if she worsens I'll put her on something else as needed-
Good luck- keep Willies dad comfortable- shes going to be 6 on Friday already.

 

[Guest]

Thanks at his age just want to make him comfortable poor guy right now he can't go for a walk so my daughters schnauzers will come down and keep him company. Anyone know what the clicking sound is when he walks sounds like your bones when they pop , he makes this sound almost with every step.

(Give Willie a hug its hard to believe shes already 6)

 

[featherqwest]

I started using Hyaluonric Acid with Chrondroitin Sulfate. I started taking it for my joints. I was at a dog seminar when the subject came up. It can be given to older dogs. I used it on my 12 year old golden. I bought it off of Amazon. Doctor's best. You can give one powder form for dog. Human is 2 a day. Believe me it works for us old folks. I use joint supplement on all my active field dogs from Costco. I have given this to all my goldens over the years. All my dogs were active until they died.

Hyaluronic Acid is a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in the human body. The highest concentrations of this carbohydrate are usually found in the fluids in the eyes and joints. It is also used as medicine when extracted from rooster combs or when made by bacteria in the laboratory. Hyaluronic acid is used medically for problems such as joint disorders like osteoarthritis. Medication of this sort is either taken by mouth or through injection into the affected joint, which is done by a healthcare professional. A moisturizer made from the same can also be applied to the skin when you have a wound, burn or skin ulcer, as it helps with healing.

Natural Hyaluronic acid is used in the body in much the same way that oil in a car engine is used. When heat and friction breaks down the viscosity of oil, it ceases to be effective as a lubricant, leaving the metal surfaces more prone to wear. This is the reason why the oil is replaced every now and then.With hyaluronic acid it works in the same way when the viscosity of the joint fluid lessens; it helps to maintain the cushioning of the joints. Because the acid has a very short lifespan, it is imperative that the body be able to continually replenish itself with the same.

Hyaluronic acid moisturizes the skin from within, smoothing out any wrinkles that you may have and acting as an internal cosmetic to hydrate your skin. However, as you grow older, it is possible that your Hyaluronic acid production will diminish, and there are suggestions that indicate that the Hyaluronic acid actually helps in prevent the negative effects of aging. It has even been promoted as a fountain of youth. This is as a result of studies that show that people who ingest a lot of the substance in their diets tend to live longer than others.

I use holistic stuff and have for years with myself and dogs. My bench dogs have outlived their parents on age.

 

[Guest]

We saw the vet yesterday blood test came back ok so he will stay on rymadyl he gets 75 mg in the morning and another in the evening he will take tramadol as needed. We will take another blood test in 6 months and recheck

 

[MardiGras]

My springer is on Adequan and trammadol. He can now take walks again, get up on the couch, and maneuver quite well in the house. This is quite different from what I had before therapy---his hind end would collapse, he would lie down and wimper, and couldn't walk more than 100 yards. I also make sure that my walks include what I call physical therapy. We do figure eights, we walk up onto small hills, we walk on uneven surfaces, etc. I have built him up to two .75 mile walks a day which includes a walk up a steep .2 mile hill.

My springer is 13 years old and is otherwise in pretty good health.

I agree. I have an (almost) 12 year old with elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis in her shoulder. She has been on the Adequan shots for almost a year. She also takes Tramadol and Metacam (plus liquid Joint Formula and Glycoflex). The orthopedic she went to told us that the best thing for her was to lose weight. With Adequan, she has been able to increase the length of her walks and is more active in the house. She has lost 4 lbs - which has been the best thing for her. Good luck!

 

[pupaloo]

My creaky JRT had 2 TPLOs as a youngster and has arthritis from that (she makes the ticking sound in her knees), and has an age related shoulder problem that makes her lame in front. She does not have enough sense to slow down and take it easy. She has been getting a weekly Adequan injection for a few years-lots cheaper for a 17 lb dog than a lab, but you can buy a really big bottle intended for horses (same stuff though) and it will be lots cheaper. She also gets metacam, almost daily now, and I have been giving her liquid HA for about 2 months-I notice a difference from it. Latest thing I have tried is magnet therapy-works on acupuncture points. She has a band of magnets that slides over her collar that helps with the front end pain-she is happy to put the thing on, and it makes her less lame. I also got her a full-body "coat"-it makes her sleep deeply. It seems like the Adequan is enough for the knee arthritis (no ticking noise if she gets her shots on time), but the shoulder thing is more challenging to find relief from. Not sure exactly what it is, but at 12 1/2 years old, with all the surgery she has had already, don't want to put her through it again if I can keep her comfortable enough his way. Let me know if you want info on the magnets.

 

[Guest]

Do they give Adequan only in shots? Is it expensive and how often do they have to get the shots? I mentioned this to my vet he didnt even act like he knew what I was talking about. Is this something I would go to an orthopedic specialist for?

 

[Pat Puwal]

My vet is very simplistic and when my old girl had arthritis issues, she suggested we just give her Ascriptin with Maalox. That worked well for her and we didn't have to go to anything more high powered fortunately. I look at dogs the same way I look at myself. I would rather take any decent drug that cures the pain and live comfortably for whatever time period the Lord gives me than be in pain and live a longer life.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Do they give Adequan only in shots? Is it expensive and how often do they have to get the shots? I mentioned this to my vet he didnt even act like he knew what I was talking about. Is this something I would go to an orthopedic specialist for?

I can't give you specifics but your vet should be able to find out. Yes they are shots and I think they start out at once a week. I think my friend paid $125 for a bottle and it lasts awhile. It is natural so it would be worth trying but I see it is cheaper on the internet.

http://www.caberfeidh.com/Adequan.htm

 

[JoAnn Stancer]

If the pain gets too bad and the medications don't seem to be helping you can add another pain relief in called gabapectin. Works well for our dogs at the clinic.
Tramadol is very safe and the dose can be adjusted.