Dame Aussie Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) Yes it sounds a little weird Sam, you would think you would have noticed something before this. Edited October 18, 2012 by Aussie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) I agree with Pav Lova - get a second opinion. I'm no vet but that sounds very sudden for arthritis. Because Cartophen is an anti-flam, even if it isn't arthritis you should notice and improvement, which can give a false sense of security. ETA: X-rays won't show soft tissue damage. As to vets misdiagnosing, it happens and has happened to me before too. When it comes to physiology, it pays to get someone who knows what they're talking about (typically someone all the greyhound people use). Edited October 18, 2012 by megan_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Are You Serious Jo Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 You'd be surprised what vets and doctors mis-diagnose. Xrays are just a picture and it's all just an interpretation remember. Ask the vet why they think it's arthritis and list your concerns about why you are unsure. You are paying for an opinion and sometime it is wrong. But let them explain first, they may have valid reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) I think it still sounds like it's probably right. He might have been getting some wear and degeneration that wasn't so noticable as it's been happening gradually, but now he's aggravated it. Of course it could be something else, but it still seems like a plausible explanation to me. But you do what your gut instinct tells you to. Edited October 18, 2012 by Kirislin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) He probably does have arthritis- and there would be evidence of this on Xray. BUT is it the arthritis causing this sudden problem? aka is it a red herring and there is something else in the mix too. I am guessing they have ruled out cruciate ligament damage, a break or fracture and a few other things but that doesn't mean that there isnt an injury to another ligament, tendon or muscle that wont turn up on Xray- which is why Pav lova is recommending a chiro (Neil Barnsley) who deals with Grey hounds who deals a lot with ligaments, tendons and muscles which regular vets dont. That being said it is probably something that pain meds and rest will heal anyway now that the 'biggies' are ruled out. Edited October 19, 2012 by Jumabaar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I'd be taking him to Schofield or Barnsley and getting one of those to look him over. If he was playing rough he may have pinched a nerve or put something out. Dogs also benefit in general from being kept in alignment as they age. You could also try Ester-c rather than going to Cartophen injections I agree with Pav, go and see the Chiro. Barnsley see's a lot of Samoyeds (a number of breeders I know in Sydney uses him for their Sammys) and he's good at what he does. It's always a good idea to get a second opinion. Hope Loki feels better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 Thanks for all the feedback and concern. What a great community we have here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Definitely recommend a second opinion from a good chiro SM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I agree with Pav Lova - get a second opinion. I'm no vet but that sounds very sudden for arthritis. Because Cartophen is an anti-flam, even if it isn't arthritis you should notice and improvement, which can give a false sense of security. ETA: X-rays won't show soft tissue damage. As to vets misdiagnosing, it happens and has happened to me before too. When it comes to physiology, it pays to get someone who knows what they're talking about (typically someone all the greyhound people use). Is cartrophen actually an anti-inflam? I know carprofen is, but I thought cartrophen worked differently by helping to lubricate the joints. Just wondering if it has benefits I didn't know about! Also agree re second opinion with someone knowledgeable in the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 He is on a course of 4 cartophen shots. Been given special treats called Seaflex high in glucosamine and omega III ($40 for 30 of them ) also got some inflammotry pills for the next week to put with his food. Vet said I can still walk as per normal just to watch him and be snsitive to his pain threshold. He seems out of sorts tonight and won't eat. Probably a side effect of the antithestic and drugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 You could try putting him on fish oil and something like joint guard long term. That should help as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 Supposedly that is the purpose of these special treats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundyburger Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) He is on a course of 4 cartophen shots. Been given special treats called Seaflex high in glucosamine and omega III ($40 for 30 of them ) also got some inflammotry pills for the next week to put with his food. Vet said I can still walk as per normal just to watch him and be snsitive to his pain threshold. He seems out of sorts tonight and won't eat. Probably a side effect of the antithestic and drugs. We've just had our two at the vets tonight, and our Kelpie x who's 7 and has previously had a broken pelvis at 2 years is showing arthritic changes. He struggles to jump onto the bed now and often misses and isn't able stand straight some mornings. He's on cartrophen too now to try and get on top of it because we want to try and prevent major issues down the track. We're paying $140 for the 4, what about you? I thought that was pretty good because my mum paid heaps more for the same thing recently. Vet recommended seaflex sticks for us too but it's $60 from our vet Haven't got them for him yet though, I want to see if I can get them cheaper. I'd be happy paying $40 for them :laugh: They're essentially a treat version of jointguard or similar from what my vet told me tonight, much easier for the fussy dogs who don't like powders. Edited October 19, 2012 by Bundyburger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) LOL mix powder in with a teaspoon of yoghurt - problem solved. Joint guard is smell less so they can't tell. Edited October 19, 2012 by ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 His Cartophren cost $48.50 for 0.7 (mills I presume). They said the price can vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temperamentfirst Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I would definitely visit Barnsleys - laser and or acupuncture make a huge difference in these cases. Also, Neil Barnsley is trained I. The use of Chinese herbs, and the one for arthritis etc are very effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) I dont know how to read xrays but it's interesting that the stopper bone isn't within the stopper pad. I assume it's normal. geeze I'd be looking at and misinterpreting everything, I suspect. Can you see the straight line through one of the lower limb bones, that looks like a break to me, once again, I assume it's normal. I hope Rappie comes in to look for you. Edited October 19, 2012 by Kirislin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 His Cartophren cost $48.50 for 0.7 (mills I presume). They said the price can vary. Kinda like the price of gold, sounds like it's about the same price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlingdog Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Hi Jo, I know DOL tends to look at all possibilities with things like this but surely with arthritis a vet wouldn't mis-diagnose it? They took xrays and all. He is always super-active and runs around after walks (yes zoomies around the yard at age 6 :laugh:) . Never seen any limping or sensitivity prior to last night. So it is a little confusing. Sorry to hear your dog is out of sorts. Re the sudden onset of the problem....my 6 year old dog ( who is now 8 ) went suddenly accutely lame in his shoulder with no warning. Xrays showed his arthritis so bad that the ortho specialist told me that on paper this dog cannot walk. After we got him throught that initial acute lameness with drugs, rest, heat and gentle exercise ( took about 2 months) he had his course of cartrophen and also takes Cosequin DS daily. Two years later he is still running and having the time of his life still playing with the rest of my pack. So yes the sudden onset DOES happen it's just that the dogs have been carrying on with life without us noticing they had a problem before and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Try not to worry too much I am sure just like my boy he will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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