Arthritis, CDRM and Swimming? Advice pls

Kc Mac

Kc Mac

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Hi peeps I know I do not post much but hope u can help :o

My little staffie went to vets for a oap check last week. I knew of the arthritis in her front right leg and also the vet had diagnosed her with CDRM.

Basically the arthritis is a whole lot worse :( and it is in both front legs now :( which also explains the extra lameness.

Also the CDRM has gotten much worse - to be expected :( Vet did a full lameness work up on her but didn't need to see much of it to see the deterioration :(

We are trying some new pills - Prednoleucotropin - but after 5 days have not noticed a slight bit of difference :( So after a few more days will decide whether to continue, try something else or revert back to metacam.

I was wondering whether swimming would help (there are several hydro pools within reasonable distance to us) or whether it would be too much for her.

I know she will only get worse and am doing my best to keep her comfortable as at the rate she is deteriorating she has not got years left. It breaks my heart to see her going down hill so quickly especially as she is only 8yrs old :(

To end on a brighter note.......

Kc snoozing on her holiday last week
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In her Grandads garden
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Have used hydrotherapy with success with my Springer who has HD and some arthritic change. The way I understand it the hydro builds muscle to support the joints which reduces pain and increases mobility. You need to get the dog seen by a physio first and a decent hydro pool will have one on site for your first appointment.

http://www.canine-hydrotherapy.org/home

She looks lovely by the way :)
 
I used it for my dog as well with some success to start with. It helped build up his muscles to support his hips but sadly it stretched his spine the wrong way which made his fusing vertebra worse so we had to stop.

I have heard a lot of success stories from it but make sure you choose a hydrotherapy pool that works with a physiotherapist rather than one that just has dogs swimming for fun etc.

Also try a supplement such as ArthriAid which has glucosamine, chronditin and MSM. The MSM is supposed to be very good as a pain killer in joint problems. Make sure you choose a supplement which doses at high levels for dogs with problems rather than one which is a maintenance dose for dogs such as agility dogs.
 
As you no doubt know CDRM is not painful and sadly there is very little that can be done to stop its progression. Re her arthritis, it might be worth asking your vet about cartrophen injections. My GSD who has spondylosis and cdrm is having cartrophen for the spine problem and , touch wood, it seems to be keeping her pain free. Unfortunately she is visibly deteriorating with the CDRM and I know I may have to make that awful decision before too long. Hydrotherapy may help your girl, but as suggested make sure you find a decent pool that also has a physio available so you can make sure you aren't going to cause more problems.
I feel for you, it is horrible when they start ageing like this, she looks a gorgeous girl.
 
Bop! said:
You need to get the dog seen by a physio first and a decent hydro pool will have one on site for your first appointment.

http://www.canine-hydrotherapy.org/home

She looks lovely by the way :)
Click to expand...

Thank u and thanks for the link - will have a scout around it in a bit :)


MydnightShadow - Thanks I didn't realise some pools had physio's I assumed they all did :o

I will look at ArthriAid. I have used Seraquin, Cortaflex and Yumove during the last few years (not all together!). When they appeared to not be so effective I changed to something new. However she is on Yumove now and having 8 pills daily when she should only have 2 :eek: Obviously I have also used Metacam on and off over the years for all other problems opposed to the arthritis.


MurphysMinder - I will ask vet about cartrophen although now wondering why he didn't suggest it to start with! I know he suggested trying something totally different to the usual suspects already tried like metacam and rimidyl, which is what we are trying.

I'm sorry for your girl too, it really is awful seeing the deterioration :(


Thanks for replies and advice :cool:
 
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One of my pups has displaysia and had a series of cartrophen injections. Its hard to say if it made a difference as he was then on the lead for four months to allow him to skeletally mature. If yours s off lead, you'll be able to judge more clearly.

My older dog's on Trocoxil, once monthly anti-inflammatory tablet which appears to have ensured he has no symptoms of arthritis. They can have 6 months of it then a month's break, as I recall. the blood analysis seems to demonstrate less impact than rimadyl/metacam. Definitely worth an ask.

I should think hydro would do her a world of good.
 
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