Q: What's the best thing to give my older dog with arthritis?

Apr 06, 2008

Wuffy too has arthritis. I agree with everyone else. I would like to add two more points my vet said. One, keep her weight down. Don't let her get overweight. And manage the heck out of her. She not a puppy anymore she can't run as fast or play as long. You have to know when it's rest time!!

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Apr 06, 2008

We have given our Bassets Glucosamine/Chondrointin for awhile now and it really seems to help. They need a supplement daily to be effective. When they seem to be in more pain than usual we give an aspirin, we've used Deramaxx but only when absolutely necessary because the aspirin works fine for day to day aches and pain, and you don't really want them on pain meds for an extended amount of time unless absolutely needed.

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Apr 06, 2008

Arthritis can also be treated with a change in exercise regimen.
see www.physipet.com
This may be able to help get him back active, and keep his joints moving and getting stronger, naturally.
Just as another option..

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Apr 05, 2008

My German Shepard takes Deramaxx. He does very well with it and it is inexpensive. He is about 85 lbs. and it costs me about $1.50 per day.

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Apr 05, 2008

We gave our dog rymadil and rejuvenate and towards the end there was another medicne but I forget what it was called. It wasn't cheap but made a tremendous difference for over a year. We just put him to rest a couple of weeks ago because it was getting so bad that he started snapping at the kids (we have a 5yr old and a 22 month old) and left some bruising and broke the skin a couple of times when he thought he was going to have to move. It was really hard. Had it just been my husband and I or if the kids were older we would have tried to do more. Good luck!

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Apr 05, 2008

i would say glucosamine or arthri-soothe works good too. All my dogs are on arthri-soothe and it works out great. one is on glucosamine and he is acting like a puppy again. its great!

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Apr 04, 2008

Purdue University had us put our German Shepherd on a Glucosamine/Chondroitin. She was also given an antiinflamatory which we only use if needed. Unfortunatley none of these meds are cheap, but she is worth it. He will be going in on the 16 of April to be evaluated for total hip replacement. She will be 8 years old in September.

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Apr 04, 2008

Your vet can probably let you know if there is a cheaper alternative. My dog has severe arthritis in both hips. She is on a glucosamine supplement. (Get a good-quality supplement. It will work much better on your dog.) N-saids prescribed by your vet can do wonders, but be careful. My dog ended up with a bleeding ulcer after a very short time on Deramaxx. You must keep a very close eye on your pet for any possible side effects. That's probably true of the Cosequin. If your vet did not tell you about side effects, ASK HIM!

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Apr 04, 2008

Yes there is a cheaper way. go to wwwPurtianpride.com it's a vitamin mail order they have great sales, or go any where you want and get glucosamine,chondroitin with MSM. That's pretty much what your giving now. I think Cosiquin has vitamen c also. They have nsaids for dogs to like Rimadyl,Deramaxx,Metacam,Previcox. Though as with all nsaids there are side effects, the dogs blood needs to be tested once in a while to check the liver. If your not sure about the dosage, just compare the mgs what your giving now or ask your vet.

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Apr 04, 2008

We give our 15 year old German Shepherd/Chow mix dog both Vetri-Disc (3/day) and Previcox (1/2 tablet/day). These medications have provided amazing relief to her. They are given by weight dosages. She was unable to sit or lie down until we started her on Previcox. Now she is able to get around fine. The Vetri-Disc helps with connective tissue. I doubt she would be here without them.

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