Arthritis or something else?

[Rebeccarose33]

Hi all,
My 13 year old northern inuit x Labrador has had arthritis for a couple of years now. A couple of months ago, he started limping on his front right leg. Very subtle at first so thought it may just be a strain but it continued to worsen. He had x-rays last week which showed up arthritis in his shoulder and paw of the offending leg (elbow was perfect) So he's on his 5th day of Metacam, paracetamol and Gabapentin. But it doesn't seem to have made any difference. He is constantly holding the leg up (at a right angle almost) even when lying down he lifts it up. Is this normal for arthritis? Does the gabapentin take a while to help? I thought it would be instant relief. Is there anything else I can be giving him for muscles and joints? (he's already on yumove) Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance

 

[CorvusCorax]

If I had a large 13 year old dog (which I do) with persistent lameness and not weight-bearing despite being on medication then I'm sorry to say that I would be seriously considering his future. Probably not what you want to hear, best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Rebeccarose33]

If I had a large 13 year old dog (which I do) with persistent lameness and not weight-bearing despite being on medication then I'm sorry to say that I would be seriously considering his future. Probably not what you want to hear, best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thank you. I appreciate the reply, the vet did say there are a couple of painkiller options so I'm hoping we can explore those before anything else. I just feel like his limp is presenting differently to the other legs

 

[slimjim86]

If you think he's injured it rather than it being an arthritis flare up could you try a few days enforced rest with the painkillers and see if that helps, obviously still little short lead walks to stop too much stiffness and pain from the known arthritis, but just be really restrictive and see if rest helps?

 

[skinnydipper]

Has he been in pain and limping for a couple of months and only just started on pain relief?


ETA. copied from the Canine Arthritis Management

"Initially plan to give the NSAID for 2-3 weeks to see the best effect. Reassess his pain status then and plan further management. Providing just a few days NSAID will not be effective in controlling chronic pain and will lead you to feeling they have been ineffective."

 

[paisley]

You could consider Amantadine instead of the Gabapentin(which didn’t suit mine), plus a physio check up. I also use the Equilibrium horse mitt on mine over his back and shoulder. He has some neurological thing/shoulder issue. If he has a flare, then I have Tramadol on reserve for 24 hour rest.

 

[AmyMay]

How good were the X-rays?

 

[wren123]

I'd go back to the vet, there are other options. Librela worked well for my dog. Galliprant I found much better than metacam and paracetamol, in fact I found yumove advance 360 better than metacam on its own.

When my dog injured herself climbing awkwardly out of a river she had 3 days on tramadol, which worked well.

 

[Rebeccarose33]

Has he been in pain and limping for a couple of months and only just started on pain relief?


ETA. copied from the Canine Arthritis Management

"Initially plan to give the NSAID for 2-3 weeks to see the best effect. Reassess his pain status then and plan further management. Providing just a few days NSAID will not be effective in controlling chronic pain and will lead you to feeling they have been ineffective."

Sorry should have said he's been on the metacam for months, only the paracetamol and gabapentin added specifically for the limp

 

[Rebeccarose33]

I'd go back to the vet, there are other options. Librela worked well for my dog. Galliprant I found much better than metacam and paracetamol, in fact I found yumove advance 360 better than metacam on its own.

When my dog injured herself climbing awkwardly out of a river she had 3 days on tramadol, which worked well.

Thank you. I have asked the vet to give me a call this week. I'll ask about these. A few people have mentioned librela, did it work instantly? Also did yours have librela & galliprant at the same time, or is it one over the other? Thanks

 

[Rebeccarose33]

If you think he's injured it rather than it being an arthritis flare up could you try a few days enforced rest with the painkillers and see if that helps, obviously still little short lead walks to stop too much stiffness and pain from the known arthritis, but just be really restrictive and see if rest helps?

We've tried reducing him to just 2 short lead walks. He seems happy to go out still but hasn't made a difference

 

[Rebeccarose33]

How good were the X-rays?

To be fair really comprehensive. He had every joint xrayed rather than just the leg. The vet did say he was surprised that his elbow was absolutely perfect but the shoulder & toes of the offending leg not good

 

[Rebeccarose33]

You could consider Amantadine instead of the Gabapentin(which didn’t suit mine), plus a physio check up. I also use the Equilibrium horse mitt on mine over his back and shoulder. He has some neurological thing/shoulder issue. If he has a flare, then I have Tramadol on reserve for 24 hour rest.

Thank you, I'll look in to that. Is the mitt like a massage aid? Thanks

 

[wren123]

Thank you. I have asked the vet to give me a call this week. I'll ask about these. A few people have mentioned librela, did it work instantly? Also did yours have librela & galliprant at the same time, or is it one over the other? Thanks

Librela worked fairly quickly, there was a further improvement after the second jab. She was on yumove advance 360 along with the librela. That kept her sound I never needed the galliprant with that combination.