Stitch Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 My 14 year old girl is getting very stiff in the back legs/hips. Is there anything on the market now that doesn't have side effects but helps to alleviate the problem? I don't want to swap one problem for another at her stage of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 stitch .. I have used the anti-inflammatory mixture from McDowell Herbal :) It did wonders for our old horse with an arthritic hip .Phone them and have a chat :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Penny gets a monthly Pentosan injection (around $22) it keeps her from being too creaky, she is also on .5ml of Meloxicam daily so it all helps. She gets up the outside steps (17 of them) really fast but can't get down, bit of a bummer as she wants to go for a wee at 3.30am so she needs to be carried down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackiemad Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 A friend of mine has used the PAW osteocare tablets with good effect on her stiff and arthritic aussie. Made by blackmores and she just empties a couple of the tablets into the dog's dinner every night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Hmmm, along with my old girls gut & skin problems she is having difficulty jumping up onto her favourite couch! and I'm not always around to lift her up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I used to give my old girl (Rotti/Pittie) 1.5ml Meloxicam of an evening if the temperature was set to drop below 10 degrees... made it so much easier for her to get out of bed in the mornings. That was the only real sign of old age she ever had right up until she passed at one month shy of her 16th birthday - which was a bloody good innings for a dog of her size/mix! T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Thanks for all your responses. I am encouraged that there is something out there that may help so I will visit the vet next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddogdodge Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 My 11 year old Kelpie has really bad arthritis in both elbows and one hip. The vet prescribed all kinds of different meds for her, none of which worked. Cartrophen injections also made basically no difference to her. We took her to a specialist chiropractor, I think that may have helped her a little bit. We've taken her off the meds as we don't like giving them when they're really not helping. We've just started her on Technyflex which is a green lipped mussel supplement. She's only been on it for a week or so and I definitely think I'm seeing improvement in her. She's more active and seems generally happier. It's still early days but so far I'd say it's definitely something worth trying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 My guess is you've already tried the obvious: weight loss and gentle exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Besides supplements (4ctye is good) and medications another thing which can help if you have access is hydrotherapy. Basically a treadmill in a tank of water, the level of the water can be adjusted to support joints. Seems to work well for the oldies and for rehab at any age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 My guess is you've already tried the obvious: weight loss and gentle exercise. This is the most effective arthritis "treatment"... supplements and medications will be much more effective if the stresses on the affected joints are reduced. Zeddy was kept a nice lean weight, and I'm sure that was why I only had to give her Meloxicam when weather conditions were likely to affect her. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I found keeping the area warm helped with my last oldie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I found keeping the area warm helped with my last oldie. I bought my old girl a bed with higher sides to stop any draughts... she loved it... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Nothing worse in my opinion than chronic pain so yes a trip to the vet is essential. My dogs get a glucosamine/chondroiten powder which is supposed to help inflammation. I also love the Back on Track coats - I know people who have had plenty of relief from their human products too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 (edited) I have always kept my dogs at a good weight and condition and my old girl is no exception. Because she has IBD it has sometimes been a big challenge to say the least to keep weight on her, so weight is not an issue. She has an assortment of jumpers & coats which she wears to stay warm. She is also a 'sun goddess' and loves to lie in the sun...which is good because it hasn't rained for ages now and it is still 29C during the day here. I like the sound of that Technyflex MD. I can't give her oils as it can set off the IBD. Not sure how the Technyflex would affect her??? Edited May 21, 2016 by Stitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Does she have fish/seafood allergies? That would be the only thing I would be concerned about with joint supplements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddogdodge Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 I like the sound of that Technyflex MD. I can't give her oils as it can set off the IBD. Not sure how the Technyflex would affect her??? IBD can be tricky... One of my cats has it too! How does she normally react to fish or any seafood? Technyflex is 100% Green Lipped mussel so you can be sure of what she's getting. I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to try it... How severe is her IBD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 (edited) Yep I've upgraded the bedding here substantially in the last six months and its helping a lot. I lashed out and bought two Orvis memory foam beds and my guys absolutely love them. But yes they were expensive but they even have waterproof liners which has saved the foam if Sarah has had an accident (she's almost 15) - and I blessed Orvis the first time she had an accident as I didn't realised the beds had waterproof liners and they saved the foam completely and the covers were really easy to wash and put back on. Orvis also have a lovely section specifically for older dogs. I'm a convert despite the expense. If Orvis is not affordable, I'd look at the Henry Hottie beds - they're brilliant as well and the lady there (Michelle?) is so patient and helpful. Great product. But I'm lucky my westies don't chew beds either! (I think they love them too much! ). Lastly, in older dogs with arthritis I think good pain control is critical. I've just started Sarah on a Loxicom trial for three weeks and she's visibly happier when i remember to give her her medication. The vet also gave me a dietary supplement called '4cyte'. Its apparently new to the market and many people have had a lot of success with it - but its too early here to tell yet. I think its something similar to Sasha's Blend or Joint Guard? Anyway hope that helps. ETA: Forgot to add a good chiro vet can be very very helpful as well. In Adelaide, Sarah usually moves far more freely when she has seen Matt Condon down at the Port. Which reminds me she needs to go back for another session. Edited May 22, 2016 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 She doesn't have any known allergies to seafood but I have learnt over the years to expect the unexpected. I will go to the vet armed with all these new suggestions and see what happens. She has a memory foam bed but she prefers to sleep on human beds as she is a little bit spoilt. We have a step that she uses to get up. She has always been a good girl and has never chewed furniture etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 My 14.3 year old BC was on Joint Guard, but I switched her across to Rose Hip Vital Canine 2 or 3 years ago, and she's doing well. I use that and the Paw Osteocare chew prophylactically for my 7.5 year old boy .. but didn't use the Osteocare for Kirra when I saw a caution about kidney problems .. she probably has early stage kidney disease. At one stage when she was a little sore, our Holistic vet made her up an arthritis pain relief powder which would not compromise kidneys. If you have a good holistic vet close by, it would be worth a consult, because all her complications could be taken into account. Mine also does acupuncture and uses the massage mat and PEMF, which can be beneficial too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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