And now it's arthritis...

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missieh

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My Newfoundland has been diagnosed with likely arthritis. She has been very stiff and limpy the last few wks and vet today said that it can't really be anything else. At nearly 7 she is -as my vet reminded me - entering old age. She's been started on Rimadyl. Any experiences with this drug anyone? How effective is it? Thank God I didn't cancel her insurance! The premium is astronomical as she has skin probs/frequent ear and feet infections as a result of allergies as well.
 
Oh i feel your pain. Mine is 5 in jan! She has displaced elbow and hips now she is lame on one back leg for last 2months 4000later a trip to Liverpool and they are treating a massive joint infection ct scan shows arthritis in both hocks and this one likely to be fused in new year either that or pts.
In January she was in Liverpool with pneumonia and a 3000 bill then- antibiotics are the killer!!
She also has bad skin and eyes and ears- infact she hasn't been well without some kind of intervention since she was 6months old. Insurance premium currently runs at 105 a month will go up in Jan when its renewed!! Although she does make most of her 10000 allowance per year!
Good luck with yours- mine was on those tablets before found infection can't say they worked or not as actually the arthritis wasn't the prob!!
 
They are going to x-ray if she does not respond to medication, but may ask for x-ray when we go back as I suppose this medication would just mask the pain? Any thoughts?
 
Dizzydancer...my premium is up to £80ish per month but £1000 per condition per year. Is yours also a Newfie? God, your dog has certainly been through it.
 
Maybe it's being a long-time slopey-backed cripple owner :p but I always like an x-ray even for my own peace of mind, it might be arthritis but it also might be a tweak of her back, neck, shoulder etc (tightness in these areas can present as lameness and stiffness, lameness doesn't just happen in the leg), it is not always automatically arthritis, seen arthritis being diagnosed instead of HD before, or even CDRM, which is a neurological issue.
Having said that if it is something minor then the Rimadyl will sort it too.
 
She is a newfy! She has been through it but she still enjoys life. Although if they can't sort her back leg out we will have to do what's kindest for her. She only has 1 truly good leg so can't really cope for long with a limp!
Wow that actually makes my insurance seem better.
I agree with CC a xray is best but if u have the same prob as us the machines at most vets aren't big enough so don't give a detailed enough picture. That's why we had to go to Liverpool to get a ct as the xrays showed a minimal change but nothing that would explain the limp, and with a newfy that would delve into your insurance pot!! Hope the tablets do there job-I'm sure they will as we were told at Liverpool they are about 90% likely to get arthritis at some point in there lives!!
 
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