Arthritis in Dogs

[MrsElle]

My beatiful Ridgeback Lola is suffering from a very stiff nearside hind leg. We got her 6 years ago from a rescue centre and she was of unknown age having being picked up by the dog warden. She always had a funny leg, we presumed she had been hit by a car at some point, as did the vet.

She is slowing down quickly on walks now, she loves to go on her walks with the other dogs but lags so far behind them that OH ends up taking the faster ones ahead while Lola and I wander behind at snails pace. I don't want to stop her walks but worry that she is doing too much, only wanting to go so she isn't left at home by herself. She is always happy and waggy just very very slow and stiff.

Are there any supplements she could have to help that actually work? I give her cod liver oil daily but not sure that really does anything at all!

Any suggestions?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Has she had x-rays of her back, hips etc?

Check out her back. My dog was very stiff and carried his leg carefully and it turned out he had tweaked his back.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

agree get an xray done, it will pinpoint the problem. If you are worried about a general anasthetic we had our Dobie x rayed under local no problem. We have found synoquin (MSM/glucoasamine) very good for arthritis and also hip problems. Also hydrotherapy might help if you have a pool locally, both will help grow and strengthen the muscles that are supporting the affected area. It has avoided hip replacement for our terrier and has stopped the limping in the Dobie )

 

[katie4002]

Whilst I have previously used MSM/Glucosamine for both dogs and horses and myself(!), I have had variable results.

For me, the best outcome has been a combination of magnetic collar (for the dogs) and a product which I'm not sure is readily available in the UK but is in Canada. If you have a look at www.caneva.ca then you can order via the website.