Anyone's dogs have arthritis?

[GlassOnion]

Our oldest dog, she's 15 and just developing the old age problems. Bad eye sight, hearing is going (or she's ignoring us, lol), but that's not a problem because she can still get around and smell to get around.

The problem is her arthritis. For a long time baby aspirin did wonders for her, but now it's not working. We've tried rimadyl (a pain killer), steroids, and glucosamine to see if that would help. Nothing is working.

Was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions? We've milked our vet and I've milked the ones I work with for solutions and there's not much we haven't already tried aside from surgery, which I'm not going to do to a 15 year old dog.

 

[Dekka]

What kind of glucosamine did you try? Did you try other types? MSM?
This is a big issue with horses. Often people will want to continue riding a horse (and to be honest.. the life of a horse that is unsound often really really sux) Acupuncture works great on some animals. The latest and seemingly very successfully treatment is Hyaluronic acid injections. I google it to see if I could find some non horse related info.. people info is all I found. So I am not sure if they do it with dogs. (its an intra articular injection)

 

[elegy]

I'd ask your vet about trying a different NSAID. There are more out there than just Rimadyl. You might also ask about using the pain medication Tramadol. It's a human medication, so they can script it to a human pharmacy for you (30 of them for $4 at Walmart). It's a more powerful pain medication than your standard NSAID, and we've had a number of dogs do very well using Tramadol to manage chronic pain. (It can be used in combination with drugs like Rimadyl).

Also, in addition to the glucosamine, which you should definitely keep using, you could try adding an omega three fatty acid. They can help with inflammation as well.

 

[GlassOnion]

Yah we tried Tramadol after the Rimadyl didn't work. It didn't work either.

What kind of glucosamine did you try? Did you try other types? MSM?

What do you mean what type of glucosamine did we use? There's only one type, glucosamine is glucosamine and it was probably coupled with sulfate. The pills we tried had chondroiten with them as well.

No we didn't try MSM. I don't think she has a sulfur deficiency as you get plenty of sulfur from methionine and cysteine.

I'll check into hyaluronic acid but IIRC that's something your body synthesizes as well, I think it's part of your EC matrix. Or maybe that's only in plants.


As for an omega-3 fatty acid I'll check to see if she's getting linolenic acid. I'm pretty sure she is because it's naturally occurring and should be getting it through her diet (mammals can't synthesize it I believe...or maybe that's linoleic acid (omega-6), I always get the two mixed up).

Thanks for ya'lls suggestions.

 

[fillyone]

Dante has DJD I in one elbow (though he is pain free) and from diagnosis at age 2 he's been on Synovi G3. X-rays at 3 showed no change.

There are some folks on the german shepherd board that use Adequan and have been very pleased with the results.

http://www.luitpold.com/canine/education/education.htm

 

[GlassOnion]

Ah thanks, will look into those too. Anyone else?

 

[Dekka]

Just a comment..lol from horse experience. All glucosamines are not created equal (ie I know its the same 'thing') I don't know if it is quality or other ingredients. But the difference between diff products with my arthritic mare were like night and day.

 

[GlassOnion]

You mean different brands, then. Cause there's only one type of glucosamine, which is glucosamine. If it were altered it'd no longer be glucosamine.

The difference between brands would be concentration and purity most like. Which brands did you use?

 

[LoveNewfies]

There are actually several types of glucosamine:
D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCl)
D-Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCl
D-Glucosamine Sulphate NaCl
N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)
Poly N-acetyl-glucosamine (Poly NAG)

Glucosamine HCI is suppose to be the most available to the body.
I've seen the best results when combined with MSM and chondroitin. Giving MSM is not because of a sulfur deficiency, it is given to provide extra sulfur as well, sulfur has been reported to help with inflammation.

Have you considered adequan injections? This is a glucosamine injection that has shown great results.

Omega 3 fatty acids, preferably from fish oil, have excellent inflammatory inhibitor properties and most with arthritis do see a change after being on a good fish oil supplement. Personally, I think every dog should be on a good quality fish oil, even if they don't have arthritis.

You can also add yucca root, which is very effective for inflammation and joint pain. There are several other herbal combinations that can bring a lot of relief.

I have a Newfoundland that has some pretty severe orthopedic issues and we manage it all with diet and supplements, and the occasional visit to the chiropractor

If you don't already, feeding a grain free diet can also be very beneficial to those with arthritis. Studies have shown grains do aggravate inflammatory response.

Anyway, I do hope you find something to help your girl.

 

[GlassOnion]

I wouldn't really call those types. It's glucosamine coupled with another chemical. Not a type of glucosamine, just a type of compound.


Anyhow I didn't know that about the wheat, I'll look into that. That and the yucca root (wonder what the active ingredient in it is?).

 

[LoveNewfies]

It contains saponins, some say are precursors of cortisone, an anti inflammatory naturally produced by the adrenal glands. Some researchers believe that saponins generally may interfere with the production of a chemical that keeps the body from making new cartilage for joints.

Of course, there aren't many studies on the use of yucca for arthritis, but, many claim good results.

 

[LoveNewfies]

Also, glucosamine may be glucosamine, but, different joint supplements use different types, or glucosamine coupled with different chemicals, of it and some are more available to the body than others.

Glucosamine HCI is from vegetable sources, all others are from shellfish sources.

 

[pitbulliest]

My Chihuahua is 11..he's been overweight for the last couple of years..on a diet now and lost a bit, but its very difficult because he can't exercise due to the arthritis..so its kind of a lose lose situation..

My vet is currently giving him cartrophen injections once a month...they help initially, but then he starts limping again about mid month...perhaps it could work for your dog...but I'm also interested in hearing other alternatives..

 

[shadowfacedanes]

I use Flexicose and Dog Gone Pain for Hannah. Can't say enough good about both products.

The difference is night and day. She went from having pain so severe that that she could hardly move without yelping, to running several short laps around the yard daily. Though she'll always have problems, at least now life is an option for her whereas before, her quality of life was so compromised that euthanasia was considered.

I should also add, accupressure, and chiropractic sessions have shown positive results as well.

 

[SpringerLover]

My dog has been on Syn Flex for almost two years now and I'm thrilled with the results. It literally gave him his life back and possibly more.

It's a human arthritis med. For a short while we tried something from JB pet, and while it worked... it didn't work any better and had to be refrigerated (so I couldn't just throw it in the dog bag for a show day).

I highly recommend Syn Flex... a few friends swear by a combination of Dog Gone Pain and Glyco Flex (I, II, or III).

 

[mrose_s]

Sophie has really bad arthritis in her hips, back and particularily her front feet. She is on cartrophen injections. once a week for 4 weeks then a top up every 3 months. It does her wonders.
We let her slide to long and she got sore and we had to start all over again. The day before we took her she was sore and snappy at the other dogs, the day after she got her first injection she was in the backyard playing and running again. Its eaither that or some painkillers she had but we decided one injection every 3 months is better for her than packing her with painkillers everyday. And the cartrophen works bette imo

 

[GlassOnion]

I'll look for Flexicose and Dog Gone. Are they something you can get "OTC" or do you need a script?

 

[SpringerLover]

Everything I listed is available OTC... DGP can be found in many magazines and online.

 

[shadowfacedanes]

I'll look for Flexicose and Dog Gone. Are they something you can get "OTC" or do you need a script?

I get mine online. No script needed.

Here's where I get my flexicose:
http://stores.ebay.com/Flexicose-Premium-Liquid-Joint-Care

They're super fast, the Flexicose is always "fresh" and factory sealed (They're a dealer, not just a private seller getting rid of some stock).
They're easy to work with. In fact, once I recieved a shipment that was damaged (by the postal system, not D and D) and they replaced it for free even though it wasn't their fault.

Here's about the cheapest I have found the Dog Gone Pain: http://stores.ebay.com/ClubNatural

BUT....I have boycotted them because I ordered some Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (also good for joint pain) that they shipped to the wrong address and never remedied the situation so they're off my list.

Here's the place I guess I'll try next. A little costlier, but not too terrible. (Especially if it actually shows up.)
http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=5589

 

[Dekka]

My dog has been on Syn Flex for almost two years now and I'm thrilled with the results. It literally gave him his life back and possibly more.

It's a human arthritis med. For a short while we tried something from JB pet, and while it worked... it didn't work any better and had to be refrigerated (so I couldn't just throw it in the dog bag for a show day).

I highly recommend Syn Flex... a few friends swear by a combination of Dog Gone Pain and Glyco Flex (I, II, or III).

The equine version of synFlex was the one I used on my mare.. GREAT stuff.