huga Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 A bit of history: Lola was diagnosed with Legg Calve Perthes Disease when she was six months old. Treatment was removal of the femoral head, plus a course of cartrophen injections. That was nearly 5 years ago. She has always skipped intermittently on the affected leg, but lately she has started limping on it more and more. This week she has been carrying it for a while after waking up. So I took her to the vet today, he wants her to have weekly cartrophen for four weeks and recommended glucosamine. That's fine. But he also said that she should have cartrophen every two to three months indefinitely. Does that seem like overkill? I'm just a bit worried because it's a steroid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnimalMad Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 My 4yo dog is on the same course of shots as Lola, he is now up to 3 monthly injections which seem to make a difference in his arthritis. We have him on a joint formula to help maintain his joints but the cartrophen seems to make a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) Is the limping really bad? Is she on Sasha's Blend or an alternative? I would be really tempted to get her onto the Sasha's Blend and give it at least 6 weeks to have an effect before more cartrophen. But I can't see how long she is hobbling on it. Would also look into liquid glucosamine. If she is even just the smallest bit overweight I would be getting the extra weight off her as well. Edited April 23, 2009 by puggy_puggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaEvie Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Green pets has a joint formula that is about $80 per kilo tub - it has devils claw in it which is a pain killer I have seen huge relief in animals using it - and you can order it on line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) Yeah, she is limping pretty badly now, it's not constant, but she has been doing it heaps more over the last couple of days. I'm not worried about the short course of cartrophen, it's the long term maintenance that I'm cautious about. I was going to get her onto the liquid glucosamine, but will look into the green pets one - I like the thought of a pain killer in it. Her weight is spot on at the moment - 7.8kgs I can see her last rib. Edited April 23, 2009 by huga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) I give my old golden retriever (16yo) a cartrophen shot every 6-8weeks now and will do for life. It's quite safe - not all that dissimilar to giving glucosamine. Edited April 23, 2009 by stormie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaEvie Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 http://www.greenpet.com.au/pet-shop/cart.p...;category_id=69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Oh ok - thanks Stormie She's only 5 though, so she has a lot of years of cartrophen ahead (hopefully). BellaEvie - thanks for the link I might start Harry on something like that too. He is so active, I'm sure he puts a lot of pressure on his joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 im a believer is some cases that quality of life is better than pain. If shes on cartrophen is because shes in pain, She should have been on gluco etc from the time she was diagnosed I would also be taking her to a bowen person.Legg perthes does take its toll on the other muscles when ther limping so the soreness could be her back . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 She should have been on gluco etc from the time she was diagnosed She would have been if someone had recommended it to me at the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaEvie Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 It isn't too late to start and you will see an improvement on the Green Pet Joint Formula within a few days It is really great stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sankari Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) My GR started on it when she was younger than your dog, and it didnt have any side effect. In fact it was the only thing that didnt cause stomach issues. She had reactions to all the other ones we tried. She had it every few months (Hip & Elbow dysplasia and Arthritis from 10 months of age). I noticed a massive difference in her pain Edited April 23, 2009 by LucyCharzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijbiz Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 My old boy has the cartophen injections every 3 months, but I must admit since giving him Glucosamine powder (human formula 1tspn sprinkled on his food morning and night) together with a fish oil capsule daily I have seen a huge difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Ok, so it's not uncommon. Thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 cartrophen is not a steroid and is fine for long term use. Although it is not very effective in all animals. Find a good holistic vet and start with glucosamine/chondrointin and fish oil caps as they will help a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 CHloe has been on Cartrophen for many years - no long term side effects and it is one of the best for long term use. I have heard though that it becomes less effective over time - anyone know if it's true? I guess the source of the pain would also be getting gradually worse (ie arthritis etc) which might explain it, but I also heard that regular use over years would lessen the effectiveness? Any thoughts? Chloe only has a course 2 - 3 times a year and it's still working for her - makes a huge difference. It's very common - and no not a steroid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 its effects can wain over the years mainly due to advancing wear and tear on the joint and the drug cannot keep up with that. its better to build muscle and supplement then only rely on Cartrophen/Pentosan. I took Diesel off completely it did nothing for him at all, in fact he seemed lamer on it then off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Oh thats no good - fortunately its been a life saver for Chloe, but yes I have heard that some dogs have no effect from it. Unfortunate, as when it does work it is fabulous - huge difference. Speaking of, Chloe must be due for another round... this cold weather isn't good for her poor old joints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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