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Hi Vince
I wonder whether your experience with dogs could help me here. I have a 7 year border collie who came to me 4 years ago from a rescue centre having been badly injured in a traffic accident. The main injury was a hip fracture which wouldn't knit back together and so they performed an op on the ball joint of his leg which makes it splay out and fill the socket. Obviously he was always going to be prone to arthritis there, and just recently I am noticing that he is looking stiffer than he did. Have you got any advice on how to alleviate the onset of arthritis in such a case? I would be very grateful. He is a dear sweet soul and I would like to ensure he suffers as little as possible.
Thanks Vince.
In Reply to: For Vince - advice on arthritic dog please posted by Sue on November 26, 2000 at 03:38:53:
I think the basis of any arthritic condition should be a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. Studies have shown that they work best when they are used together. Not all products are the same however, many don't contain the amount of chondroitin the label states, because that is the expensive ingredient (I like cosequin and osteobiflex, see www.drtheo.com for the ones that tested well). Many of dogs on the health boards that were going downhill on the the gluco were helped tremendously when switched to a combination product. I think that this should be the minimum supplement. I started to notice a difference in my girl after 2 weeks, although they say to give a trial of 6 weeks to see if it will help your dog. (My neck responded to it dramtically, my knees took months. For dosing info, see the cosequin site.)
I also think that a number of dogs have circulation problems and muscle problems when these problems occur. I like to also supplement with a product called glycoflex. It has some naturally occuring glucosamins (perna muscle), but perhaps more importantly it also contains alfalfa and wheat germ -- great for circulation and muscle support.
What I've seen with dogs on the boards is that often it takes trying a couple of products -- particularly if the problem is advanced. Hope this helps some, here are some of my favorite links.
Acme Discussiong of Arthritis Management
http://acmepet.petsmart.com/content/health/aging/k9geriatrics.24.html
Glucosamine info
http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.news/joint.support.html
More Glucosamine/Chondroitin info
http://www.cosequin.com/veterinary/products/cosequins.htm
An injected form of glucosamine that has proved effective in many cases
http://www.luitpold.com/canine/index.html
An article on the benefits of vit. C and HD
http://workingdogs.com/doc0039.htm
General Canine Nutrition
http://www.labbies.com/nutri.htm
Dr. Theo's Arthritis web page - discusses various brands, which contain what their
labels claim, which don't, along with lots of other stuff
http://www.drtheo.com
Mayo Clinic Article on Alternative Methods for Arthritis Management
http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/0002/htm/nontraditional.htm
List of Certified Acupuncturists
http://www.ivas.org
Acme Health Board
http://acmepet.petsmart.com/club/bboard/fur/health/index.html
www.lambriarvet.com (cheapest mail order I've found for Cosequin and GlycoFlex)
In Reply to: not Vince, but here's my 2c... posted by LisaT on November 26, 2000 at 14:42:28:
Sue,
I agree with what Lisa said and try Everything that sounds
reasonable and possible to help or cure. You have to Try
things to see What may help a particular problem since I
don't think the experts have all the answers.
Along with Gul/Condroitin I have used cod liver oil, MSM,
and even pseudoephedrine which can make muscles stronger.
I would learn about joints and how they are lubricated by
the Synovial fluid in a sac in the joints. About the
Splaying I would even try massage. Even though it sounds
like it might be a deformity from the operation maybe some
treating will help.
Rescues are special to me and most of my Afghans have
been unwanted for some reason or abused or too much to
handle for one reason or another. Not usually my first choice
but usually needy and I couldn't refuse them but they Fit me
since I Love a challenge and most have turned out to be
Super animals when treated the way they Had to be to bring
out their qualities. Always good to turn around a wild,
shy, fearful, or sick animal. Maybe that is what makes the
bond SO strong. I probably mentioned it before but my last
pair, one wild but super affectionate and a super shy/
scared one got strightened out and came to MY rescue when I
was VERY sick and Everything hurt and didn't work and
did what I did for Them and though They Are Work I won't
be without a pair no matter how hard it is for me. Guess I
feel I Owe it to the breed because of what those 2 did for
me and uncharacteristically reacted to My Need but I guess
they sensed my need and comforted me. It got me started
looking for answers no one had.
VF
In Reply to: Re: not Vince, but here's my 2c... posted by Vince F on November 26, 2000 at 16:32:58:
Thank you so much - I'll give it a go ! Funnily enough, Vince, my last bitch, who was loved from the moment she arrived aged 6 weeks, was a really difficult dog. A combination of being highly sensitive and horribly wilful! Taff (the current one) is an absolute angel and loved by everyone - no trouble at all. Strange isn't it? And they certainly do rescue us too - I've always said that about Taff.
In Reply to: Re: not Vince, but here's my 2c... - thank you both very much posted by Sue on November 26, 2000 at 16:57:54:
Sue,
I guess dogs like humans have a lot of different
personalities and I guess that is the way it should be. In
a pack different ones do different jobs they are better at.
My current female is hard headed and determined though
sweet and lovable when not after something. My male is loose
as a goose and kind of an air head but always makes me laugh
with the things he does or gets into.
VF
In Reply to: For Vince - advice on arthritic dog please posted by Sue on November 26, 2000 at 03:38:53:
Hi, Sue.
Both Lisa and Vince have some good ideas so I will not repeat them here.
One of MY personal experiences with crippling arthritis and my lady Airdale was:
The acupuncture vet came to my house and spent about 2 hours doing electroacupuncture on my dog who had had disuse atrophy of her whole back leg for at least 6 months. Xrays at the conventional vet had confirmed advanced arthritis and he had nothing but cortisone and aspirin to offer. Within a week she was better. Within a month she was using the limb normally and within 6 months I could not tell her back legs apart. She lived for 10 years after that and had never a twinge of her problem after that with no treatment at all.
All this from ONE session of electroacupuncture. You should at least look into it.
Good luck. Let us know how your friend does.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: For Vince - advice on arthritic dog please posted by Walt Stoll on November 28, 2000 at 10:03:08:
nmi
In Reply to: Re: For Vince - advice on arthritic dog please posted by Walt Stoll on November 28, 2000 at 10:03:08:
my girl has been greatly helped by acupuncture for a variety of problems, primarily digestion, but also for hip pain. A directory of certified veterinary acupuncturist can be found at the link.
In Reply to: I should have mentioned this also.... posted by LisaT on November 29, 2000 at 04:12:23:
We have a 4 year old dog who had hip displasia. We have given him 6 shots of ADEQUAN. He received it once a week for a 6 week period. Within 2 weeks we saw a real change. Now he is running like a puppy. What a blessing! See your vet and see what he says. Also we have tried the Glucosamine & Msm. This seems to be better than the glucosamine & Condrotant formula.
let us know......just jerry
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