umm, hello, can I ask a question

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Jesstickle

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I've never been in aad before but I'd quite like to pick your brains if I may.

I've just got back from my folks house where my old dog lives as I am renting and he can't be with me. He is 15 and getting very stiff now. I just wondered if there is something like bute for dogs? I can't help thinking he might be a bit happier with the edge knocked off a bit. He is especially bad in the morning despite the fact he sleeps in a coat and is by the fire these days.

Apart from being rather tottery he is in very good health really. Stone deaf and developing cataracts but still likes to go for a walk and play with his friends when they come to visit. I just feel for the old boy as it must be achey being that old!

Here he is on Christmas day :)

163058_592415974335_285400682_5221587_1765230_n.jpg
 
There are quite a few options for older, stiff dogs. Best thing is to make an appointment with the vet to discuss what he suggests, a lot of people find Metacam makes a huge difference to their oldies.
 
MurphysMinder said:
There are quite a few options for older, stiff dogs. Best thing is to make an appointment with the vet to discuss what he suggests, a lot of people find Metacam makes a huge difference to their oldies.
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The mothership is going to book him in to the vets but I like to know what the options are and the vet doesn't always tell you them I find. With horses I know the likely outcomes but not so much with the hound.

Is it like bute in the sense that long term use is ok?
 
jesstickle said:
The mothership is going to book him in to the vets but I like to know what the options are and the vet doesn't always tell you them I find. With horses I know the likely outcomes but not so much with the hound.

Is it like bute in the sense that long term use is ok?
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Actually, long term use of Bute is not OK because it can cause liver damage.

When our staffies started to get arthritic they had bio collars (magnetic) on which took a while to kick in and then made a massive difference. On the other end of the scale my staffy boy, aged 4 was diagonised with elbow displaysia - totally unexpected, small, fit and right for weight dog whom I got at 18 months old. He was given a course of 4 catrophone (sp?!) injections, then moved onto JD Hills mobility (vet only) food. A big sack of that costs me £59 but I have a dog who looks completely sound again, albeit he has lost his taste for big walks.

BTW, your boy does look lovely!
 
Luci07 said:
Actually, long term use of Bute is not OK because it can cause liver damage.
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one bute a day in a horse which is thirty is fairly acceptable. Plenty of elderly horses see out their days on bute. I know there are health implications in horses, I suspect there may be the same in dogs but worth an ask :) I think he'll peg it reasonably soon anyway. At fifteen he can't have more than a couple of years left in him I don't suppose.

Will ask the vet about special food, thanks for that. Not something I would have known about at all. It's strange to be so clueless.
 
if he gets a good health check from the vet a low dose of metacam will give him pain relief and help his mobility. it doesnt suit all dogs. you might have to run some bloods to see how his liver and kidney function are! tho many elderly dogs dont need the full kg dosage to give them mobility. you can also get joint supplements for dogs, and magnets (beds, and collars). please remember that homeopathic remedies like devils claw can be harder for the liver to process than the chemical equivalents like bute(for horses) and metacam. your vet will be your best advisary. he looks like a lurcher type.. a nice spongy comfey bed always helps to cushion the joints, esp the elbows and hocks. yes you can make his elderly years more comfortable with memory foam, cushions, warmth and drugs, sadly you cant make them last forever. tho he looks very content in his photo..
 
No, I don't think he has much longer left now. It's quite sad really. He was my Xmas pressie when I was 11 and we have been through an awful lot together. There were times as a child where I don't know what I'd have done without him.

I certainly won't be letting him suffer don't worry :) Mostly he is quite content (although he has always had a sad face) he is just crocky in the morning. I don't think he is ready to go yet it is just hard only seeing him every few months as the ageing process is so much more noticeable that way. Anyway, I'm rambling. It just knocked me a bit realising he won't be about for ever. I haven't ever thought about it until now :(

I will take him to see the friendly vet man and see what the verdict is.
 
When our old Cocker started to get stiff we started her on Joint Care and I have to say they were brilliant and really did make a difference to her, may be worth a go :D
 
If he is arthritic in a particular joint/limb, cartrophan injections can make a significant difference. A course of four, with no more than twelve in any twelve month period and my boy that has had a hard working life is like a two year old again.

Also, I saw a difference changing from cortaflex to seraquin and also use a bioflow collar. Previcox suited my boy better than metacalm for when he had an acute phase, but there are many similar preps around. Trial and error to find the best, I guess.
 
I have a 11yrs old lab with a double hip replacement and a 8yrs old golden retriever with peripheral neuropathy, idiopathic epilepsy and he also fractured his sesamoid joint at some point but please he can't feel his feet properly because of the neuropathy didn't become apparent until the arthritis developed :(

Anyhoo, they are both on maxavita canine pernamax (awesome supplement, has MSM, glucosamine, etc along with green lipped mussel :) also because the tablets are fishy even the fussy ones like them!!!)

They are also both on one previcox a day which makes such a difference and is relatively safe to give long term.

Also both had 6 week course of hydro which helped loads :)

Another thought, ours have hotter dog/equafleece jumpers, helps keep there joints nice and warm :)

Elle
 
Metacam is generally what older stiff dogs are put on. Works wonders.

Don't bother with any of that crap food form the vets the ingredients are truly horrible.
Just make sure he is on a good quality food.
 
katielou said:
Metacam is generally what older stiff dogs are put on. Works wonders.

Don't bother with any of that crap food form the vets the ingredients are truly horrible.
Just make sure he is on a good quality food.
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Please spill!! I am paying £59 for this food per bag and have credited it with his recovery. My vets (who are pretty fair with their costs) really rated it. I use J D Hills - is this a waste?
 
Luci07 said:
Please spill!! I am paying £59 for this food per bag and have credited it with his recovery. My vets (who are pretty fair with their costs) really rated it. I use J D Hills - is this a waste?
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The first 2 ingredients are corn and wheat. My dogs get none of that let alone as the first 2 ingredients in their food.

Ask your vet why he wants you to feed it. What is it about the make up of the food that makes it good for a dog with movement issues? He probably can't tell you.

Anything you can get from those nasty nasty foods you can get much easier and cheaper from another better quality food.

ETA. I have just looked and there is NO MEAT in that food! Wow scary.
 
Loved the photo. I used Metacam on my oldie which worked but caused him to have an upset stomach. He is now on Super Solvitax which you can get from any good pet shop. He is less stiff now so hope this works for your dog
 
My lad has arthritis of the neck and hip dysplasia.

I haven't found Metacam to be much cop. When my lad has his bad spats, I give him Rimadyl as prescribed by the vet and see a dramatic improvement. He also has glucosamine daily, but haven't seen any real improvement on that.

I've been looking into getting him Turmeric powder. Have heard good reviews for those who give it to horses and know of people who give it to their dogs. Am asking the vet next week about how much to give etc, so might be worth asking about that :)

Looking at replies on here, am also going to buy him a bio-flow collar. Thanks guys!
 
Cobrastyle said:
My lad has arthritis of the neck and hip dysplasia.


I've been looking into getting him Turmeric powder. Have heard good reviews for those who give it to horses and know of people who give it to their dogs. Am asking the vet next week about how much to give etc, so might be worth asking about that :)

Looking at replies on here, am also going to buy him a bio-flow collar. Thanks guys!
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Ooh, Rubysmum on here has used this and is astounded at the benefit for her horse (she's a bit old, the horse, not Rubysmum!) Wait, I'll find a link on another forum.

There you go:
http://www.trotonline.co.uk/forum/s...ence-or-truly-amazing......&highlight=tumeric
 
cinammontoast said:
Ooh, Rubysmum on here has used this and is astounded at the benefit for her horse (she's a bit old, the horse, not Rubysmum!) Wait, I'll find a link on another forum.

There you go:
http://www.trotonline.co.uk/forum/s...ence-or-truly-amazing......&highlight=tumeric
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Oooh brilliant, thankyou! Am definitely going to give it a try now :D Will just wait for measurements from the vet and get him started. Will avoid any kisses though after meals so I don't resemble a Simpson!
 
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