Medicine for arthritis.

[dcssean]

Cayenne has arthritis in her right leg. Every 2 days I give her an aspirin wrapped in a single slice of cheese ans she gulps it down. Is aspirin an adequete treatment for arhtritis?

[johnwa]

The aspirin reduces the inflamation and it's a non-steroid drug. It's long-term use is questionable, so you will need to see your vet about it.

Also recommend you ask your vet about Glucosamine and Chondrotin; also, Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acid supplements.

And then there's the drug, Rymadel.

[roxiemom]

Our malamute developed arthriis when he was about 9.We tried Rimadyl at first. It seemed to give temporaru relief and was useful because we went on a long car trip and he was confind to the car for a few hours at a time...of course we made frequent stops and walked him. After several months, we quit, because it didn't seem to help any more. Also there is a possibility of liver damage. Don't know if it was a side effect, but his breath became unbearable. Stunk up the whole house. This quit when we discontinued the med., although our vet said he had not heard of that being a side effect. For the last 3 yr. of his life, we fed him Nutro large breed senior with glucosamine and chondroitin. This seemed to do as much good as anything, although eventually his arthritis, in combination with other factors, forced us to have him put down...something we are still not quite over, I never did the aspirin because of possible ( internal ) bleeding problems when used over a long period of time, although my neighbor swears by it for her collies.

[CaynCher]

I began giving Cayenne, who is 12 years old, a liquid supplement of Glucosame sulfate with chondroitin sulfate and MSM + Vitamin C a couple of years ago and he loves it, runs when he sees the bottle and licks it right up. I am using it to keep his joints healthy & so far he has no problems. He also gets massages & swims too. Just had his yearly Vet check and he's in tip-top shape. :029 :029 :029

[diiorio]

stick with Glucosamine and chondroitin and add in Omega 3 fish oil capsules (health food stores) or a VET pump form, or you can get Dermcaps (has other stuff in it as well).

Glucosamine chondroitin should be a 500mg/400mg compound. Start with a loadign dose for an adult (human) usually about 2 capsules twice daily for 6 weeks then reduce to maintence dose of 1-2 daily.

Omega 3 fish oils. Use the human adult dose recommended.

New food available. Hills J/D is the only food with theraputic levels or Omega 3/6's and high levels of glucos/Condront. Msut be prescribed by veterinarian.

Now we prefer to start with the natural route before doign things like rimadyl. We have had hundreds of dog's on it safely, and they live a longer life free of severe pain. However bloodwork shoudl be run reguraly on it (or any Nsaid). Liek any drug, some dog's can have a reaction to it (liver reacts) it is very rare (number of dog's on it versus dog's havign a reaction).


Aspirin can irritate the stomach (causes ulcers). If you use it at times, please use Ascriptin, which has Malox in it. It helps protect the stomach.

Try to stick with the natural remedies first. Adjsut as needed. If it works less. Rimadyl can be used at lower dosages then adjusted to the dog's needs. We often have dog's at half the recommended dosage of rimadyl while they are on the suppliments. MAny do well jsut on suppliments till they get older.

[kinseysmom]

I mentioned this a couple months ago but there is another medication for arthritis besides Rimadyl. It's Deramaxx. The same basic anti-inflammatory but newer than Rimadyl and has less side effects. As others have said, of course try non prescription (natural) medicines/supplements first but we found that our Maddie, whom we lost 1 year ago, was a new Golden after we got her on Rimadyl then Deramaxx. In my personal opinion only, I believe her quality of life was much more important than any long term effects. I simply could not put my dog through pain for years because I was worried that some long term side effect would shorten her/his life - and honestly, that is the point....the side effects of most of these meds given at the correct dosage is long term. And dear Maddie lived a wonderful happy pain free life for 13 years. She was only ill the last 3 weeks of her life and it was heart failure. Until those last 3 weeks, she was still a puppy at 13. Heck, the day her heart gave out, she romped to the front door to meet Daddy as he returned from a Cornhusker football came. Again, Deramaxx is for arthritis but has fewer side effects than Rimadyl.
Good luck. :)

[Chablis]

I hate to be a broken record but...Glucosamine!

Just before Chablis turned 10 we were giving her a tablespoon of glucosamine twice a day--we mixed it in with her dry food. It helped 100%. She didn't notice any difference in taste, but she could stand after laying down all day and not limp, she could go on long walks and play for long periods of time.

But it got sooo expensive, it was about 50$(Canadian) every two months. So what we did is we found nutrice(I think thats what it's called) for senoirs with glucosamine already in it. No mixing, a LOT cheaper, and it works the same way.

Definitley consult your vet about the asprin thing, it could help short time but cause damages long term

[3 goldens]

My KayCee is only 5 1/2, but she had to have both knees operated on for luxating patella, the first age 1 1/2, the other at age 2 1/2. The 2ed was worse and involved cutting the tibia crest and torquing the tibia, inserting pins, etc. We know arthritis is in her furture and we started her right away on supplements for joints. She gets SynoviG3, one MSM/Gluc0 capsul, EsterC, and a vitamin, plus fish oil cap each day. She had gotten up to 85 pounds with her knee problems, but we now have her down to 64 pounds and she runs and plays like a puppy. She jumps in the air and spins and you would never know she had such horrible knee problems a few years back.

I am very leary of both Rymadly and Deramaxx as so many have died while on them. I will only use either as a very last resort. There is one out that seems to work as well, but be less dangerous. It is something like mecatam.

[JsMom]

Hi! My old guy was on Rimadyl steady for the last 2 years of his life. Just like people, every medicine affects dogs differently. It was a night and day difference for him. I'm sure he wouldn't have been walking if it weren't for that medicine. I was not aware of deaths related to Rimadyl - but Jake lived to be 17. :woofpup

[GoldenParadise]

I'd start with the glucosomine/chrondroitin right away. And I'd only use one brand...Cosequin DS (Veterinary) or Cosemin DS (human). Either is fine.

The molecular weight of chrondroitin is too heavy (the particles are too big) to get into the bloodstream, so most G/C tablets you purchase do not do what they're intended to to. The Cosemin/Cosequin has a smaller molecular weight, so the condroitin is getting into the bloodstream.

Our 10 yr old is now on this supplement. It's done wonders for her! She jumps, runs and plays...and is just plain happy. She has no stiffness, or aches, even in the morning...and she did prior to our starting it.

You begin with three (1500) per day for six weeks. Then back it down to two, and may be able to back it down to one in a few months.

It's fairly expensive - much more so than normal G/C. But it works, and is safe. There are no toxic side effects reported.

Rimadyl is fine...as a very last resort. It has dreadful side effects, and must be monitored closely. The same for any prescription drug including Deramaxx.

I would use these only intermittently, when there's a rough day. Ascriptin (Maalox coated aspirin) is the type you should use, if you use it. It keeps stomach irritation down.

I'd also boost the immune system with probiotics (Acidophilus/Bifudus), Fish Oil, and Ester C. Ester C must be started slowly and built up. One pill (500 mg) a day for a month, then two, and perhaps even three later. If you see diarrhea, it's being eliminated and you can back it down to the lower level.

This, and really good food, makes a huge difference. But the Cosamin DS has done wonders!

[JsMom]

"Rimadyl is fine...as a very last resort. It has dreadful side effects, and must be monitored closely. The same for any prescription drug including Deramaxx."

What are these side effects? We had Jake on aspirin at first but one bad bout of bloody stool stopped that - I was afraid to go back to it. With either medication, I made sure he had something to eat with it - even if it was just a slice of bread (yeah, I know - bread's not good but when he got really old he got whatever he wanted and he really loved it.)

The only side effect I noticed was that he was more hungry for food and more "grabby" as far as taking it from you.

[kinseysmom]

Rimadyl has more serious and severe side effects and requires our dogs to have regular blood work to monitor those possible side effects. Deramaxx is newer and while still an anti-inflammatory you don't need to have the blood work done constantly. Ideally, you hope never to have to put your dog on either or any medication. Natural supplements are the first line of attack for arthritic pain in our dogs.
(glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate) If your dog needs a prescription arthritis pain reliever, I'm sure you'll do research and discuss options with your vet. Both of my older dogs, who I lost 11 months apart 2 years ago, were on Deramaxx. It gave them a completely new lease on life. Side effects are not a given. They are, as all side effects are, "possibilities." Good luck and I hope a natural supplement works for your dog. Remember though, even natural and holistic medicines/supplements have potential for side effects.

[Chillers]

Another option is what my parents did for their GSD. He'd been limping, took him to the vet and found out he had HD. Very sad, parents and grandparents had clearances. He was on Rimadyl for a week or two to get over the acute discomfort/severe inflammation and then my mother started him on glucosamine/condrointin (she also does this for her elderly horse w/ arthritis). Since then, he's been pretty good! You'd never believe that he had HD to see him moving. On really cold days or days where he's been out running around too much you can tell, but that's when he gets the occaisional aspirin.

Good luck,
Chillers :dogbark

[GoldenJoy]

And don't forget the obvious, along with the medication of choice, exercise. When arthritis pain sets in and a dog is not in motion, atrophy of the muscles can set in, causing even more problems. Same with humans.

I saw an incredible recovery with a GSD at the swim facility. Swimming is so much easier on the joints. I know exercise while in pain seems impossible......but if you don't move it.....you do lose it and so do they.

[Chillers]

So true Golden Joy!

[GoldenJoy]

I would post the article they did on Callie, Tucker and Nala, but I think it's copyrighted by our local newspaper. I can post a link, but then people have to register "free" to read it. Callie, is a miracle!

[GoldenParadise]

Kinseys Mom is right...bloodwork needs to be continuously monitored when using Rimadyl. Liver damage is one severe side effect.

Glucosomine/Chrondroitin is great, but still, make sure you get one that works. If you research chrondroitin, you'll find that unless the molecular weight has been reduced, you're wasting time and money. Try Cosamin DS (or Cosequin DS which is the Veterinary version). You can get it (the Cosamin) at the drug store. Ask your Vet what the difference is. They can usually explain the molecular weight issue to you. And, most recommend that particular brand!

Start the Ester C also.

Trying the Rimadyl for short term use, to get rid of initial inflammation, is fine. Just try to use less medications with known side effects at first. You may find that you don't need Rimadyl or Deramaxx yet at all! Save it for an option later, in case you do need it!!

You can research the side effects of Rimadyl or Deramaxx on the web by doing a search. You can also check out the Cosamin/Cosequin.

[BeauBeauBear]

My first Golden, Chelsea, was on Rimadyl and I believe that she died prematurly due to liver cancer - didn't get into the details if Rimadyl truly caused her death because my mother had just died and couldn't handle more. No since in going backward! My 14 1/2 year old has been on Metacam for the past 8 months and it's made a huge difference! I also give Beau (my 14 1/2 yr old) and Maggie (my 6 year old) Synovi G3 granuals which has Chon/Glus, MSM, creatine and all the really good stuff to maintain their muscles, bones, organs, etc. I swear by it and believe that Beau is still doing so well because of the both of them! Maggie had elbow displaysha (excuse my lack of spelling on these terms) surgery at 6 months and has been on Synovi G3 for about 3 years and so far she does not require pain medication such as Metacam, etc. I do give her the herbal medication "Arnica" in chewable tablets after a long hike and it really helps her. She's also very shy of people and other dogs and have had her on St.John's Wort for the past 3 weeks and it is seeming to help her cope with her fears! After seeing my mother, father, stepfather, and grandmother all die very painful deaths in the last 3 years, I'll do anything I can to keep my babies from being in pain! This may sound weird, but it hurts me more to see my Goldens in pain than it did my human relatives! :reddogx

[Andi]

I know it has been posted before but the website

www.dogsadversereactions.com can provide information about other dogs problems with different drugs/vaccines.

[JennR]

Hi! New to forum, so glad I found it! I have a 10ish year old golden who has developed pretty severe arthritis in the last 8 months or so. We have tried different things, including Deramaxx, which is just not helping her. There is a new medicine out, called Previ***. Apparently it is an NSAID, like Deramaxx, but I don't know how it's different. Anyone have any ideas? Vet said we should see a difference almost immediately (which we aren't :confused: )

Any other ideas? Thanks -

[johnwa]

I've heard of it, but have not used it.
There is a news article about it on the weblog, here:
<a href = "http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/blog/johnwa07479.shtml">article</a><br>

There is also a press release from the company that makes it:
<a href = "http://us.merial.com/merial_corporate/news/press_releases/06-01-2005_PREVICOX_Announcement.asp">Site</a>

[hellzpawn]

Hi, My GR, who is estimated to be about 6 (he could be more, I'm not sure since he's adopted), started limping yesterday. It was a cold rainy day, but he has never limped before on rainy days. There was also no long walks to extreme play the last 2 days due to the weather. We suspect that it could be arthritis or rheumatism. Would the vet be able to confirm based on a one day limp? btw, he has cow hock, but no HD.

He's better today, no limp but still weak hind leg. He's already on Fish Oil and EPO. I have a bottle of liquid glucosamine which I will be starting on tonight.

Roughly how old were your dogs when they started having arthritis/ rheumatism? Is there an obvious difference between these 2?

[JennR]

My golden had symptoms before I actually recognized it as the start of arthritis. Hindsight, our first symptom was that she never wanted to come upstairs unless there was something REALLY good going on (we had gerbils when we first got her - that was something to get her to climb). Slowly, we started noticing more things, especially on walks. She was just tired easier, sometimes she slips. Her paws sort of fold under (I have also heard this could be a thyroid problem which she is also being treated for). Stairs are a real problem now. Lately we notice even bending over to eat out of her bowl she has trouble with her back legs giving out somewhat. She also spends the majority of the time sleeping and just laying around.

I don't know if any of this helps - I would definitely ask the vet though for a full blood work up - thyroid is such a huge thing that is so easily corrected. I can tell you the arthritis came on very slowly - and is hard to discern since they smile the whole time. I have to depend on my vet to tell me how bad her pain is. Poor puppies. Good luck!