Dog Arthritus Problem?

[ronto]

My 13 year old Blue Heeler "Buddy" is having serious mobility problems. On a walk he limps badly and at times just collapses on his rump and can't get up without help. I took him to the vet for x-rays and diagnosis. Thankfully it is not hip dysplasia but severe arthritis in his legs, especially his right knee which explains the limp and collapsing. The vet prescribed 14 days of prednisone. He was somewhat better after taking the prednisone but after 2 or 3 weeks he is back to the same problem again. I called he vet and asked if there is something he could take on an ongoing daily basis to help him. All he could come up with is more prednisone.
I realize there is no cure for arthritis but my question is, since I'd rather not give him drugs, is there any natural substance that would help with the pain and inflammation?

"Buddy" and I would truly appreciate any suggestions and experiences you may have had with this problem...We thank you!

 

[Viking Queen]

In Clover Connectin Soft Chews is the product that worked for my old girl Iris. You can order them on Amazon. Takes about a week to 10 days to notice the difference in their walk. Iris had a hard time doing stairs and getting up after lying down on the floor. It gave her great relief. My friend uses them for his three elderly dogs. Two of those dogs have had knee surgery and now have arthritis from age too!

I used to work for a local pet food store and we sold TONS of the Connectin Soft chews....they stink like crazy but even my picky girl loved the, like a treat. They are made in Boulder Colorado, so Made in the USA

It is so hard to see our little fur friends get old. Iris was 14 when I lost her last spring and I still miss her every day. Am raising a new pup now.

Good luck with your dear Buddy! Viking Queen

P.S. My vet approved of my using this and began recommending it to patients as well. This has MSM with Chondroitin in it.

 

[A.J.]

My wife has been a veterinary tech for decades. I am not competent to address your question but I will repeat these observations:

1. Never forget that veterinarians are in the business of making money.
2. Sick animals are profit centers for veterinarians.
3. The longer an animal is sick and the more treatments are prescribed, the more money the veterinarian makes.

When do you put an animal down? Tough question. Two criteria: When it's in constant pain or when it can no longer control its bodily functions. My wife and I usually wait too long. Guilty as charged.

 

[Don Lovel]

Prednisone can cause kidney failure, watch your dog's foot pads for signs of swelling

 

[powder smoke]

My lab Buster has arthritis we give him dog treats with chondriotan (spelling lol)
2 a day one AM and one PM help him big time. We buy them bulk at Amazon
very reasonable! Zukes is the one we use

 

[gramps]

MSM with Chondroitin is the active ingredient that helps arthritis. Look at the food for Senior dogs, and select one that has it as an ingredient. Rimadyl is a drug for dog arthritis that works great! Good luck.
gramps

 

[Cholo]

My 13 year old Lab had the exact same thing. We did the prednisone treatments and it didn't get better. I put her on Cosequin, available at Walmart and other places, and it helped. No matter what the front of the box says, you want the one with the Brittany Spaniel on it.

http://www.cosequin.com/dogs/joint-and-bone/cosequin/cosequin-advanced

I had her on that for about 2 years. I also spread rugs on my hardwood floor so she could get to the front door. It had gotten so bad that her *** was almost dragging on the lawn when she walked. When she got 1/2 way up my 5 steps and rolled backwards and laid on the sidewalk, I knew what I had to do...

 

[Bull Barrel]

Also vitamin C.

 

[~JM~]

I make Bone Broth for our dog. She is 14 now.

There are several ways to make it. Do some I'net research. I purchase some beef knuckle bones from a Butcher. I bake them for about an hour, then place them in a tall stew pot. I add a 1/2 to 1 cup of natural apple cider vinegar & clean water to just cover the bones. Then let set for an hour so the solution can begin to leach the minerals from the bones. Then add more clean water & bring to a slow simmer. I also add salmon carcasses, beef liver & sometimes a rabbit. It takes about 24 to 36 hours before the knuckle bones will begin to crumble. After 36 to 48+ hours, let cool, strain, bottle in canning jars & then freeze. We add 1/2 cup of bone broth to her dog food twice daily.

Good luck.

 

[ditto1958]

My dog got arthritis bad when he got older. He took Vetprofen once a day, and it really helped. I think that may be the generic name for Rimadyl. It was relatively cheap- $1 a day, or $30 a month- and it really helped him.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I share my "Glucosamine/Chondroitin" tablets (1500mg/1200mg) with my Jessie Girl (about 9 years old now) She gets arthritis in her right hip. She HATES taking meds, so I buy thin sliced ham (about a #1 on the dial) (Hormel @ $3.98/lb at walmart) and wrap her pill up in one slice and after she downs that, I give her a second slice as a treat. It DOES seem to help her. I that that Twice a day along with a daily dose of Meloxicam 15mg tablet from the VA.