Comments on: arthritis in a large breed dog? http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog For The Well Loved And Slightly Pampered Pooch Sun, 18 Jul 2010 07:06:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: yorkielove2 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-253 yorkielove2 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:37:59 +0000 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog#comment-253 Our dog had arthritis so bad that the vet said she had no cartilage left in the joint in one of her knees. She tried everything to ease her pain; medication, glucosamine, etc. Finally she sent us to a vet that specialized in acupuncture. At first we were skeptical, but desperate! After the first 3 visits, she was SO vastly improved, it seemed like a miracle! This is a dog that was almost lame. She lived another 5 years and the acupuncture made those years much more bearable for her. She would go through periods of appearing to be completely pain free. She would then need a "tune up" about every 6 months. We are believers now! I don't understand HOW it works, but it does and that was good enough for us! You can find one by searching for holistic vets. There are several sites that can help you locate a vet that does acupuncture. Good luck to you...<br><b>References : </b><br> Our dog had arthritis so bad that the vet said she had no cartilage left in the joint in one of her knees. She tried everything to ease her pain; medication, glucosamine, etc. Finally she sent us to a vet that specialized in acupuncture.

At first we were skeptical, but desperate! After the first 3 visits, she was SO vastly improved, it seemed like a miracle! This is a dog that was almost lame.

She lived another 5 years and the acupuncture made those years much more bearable for her. She would go through periods of appearing to be completely pain free. She would then need a “tune up” about every 6 months.

We are believers now! I don’t understand HOW it works, but it does and that was good enough for us! You can find one by searching for holistic vets. There are several sites that can help you locate a vet that does acupuncture.

Good luck to you…
References :

]]> By: ActionStaffords http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-252 ActionStaffords Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:26:59 +0000 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog#comment-252 If you can't readily feel your dogs ribs without having to push through some fat, she is overweight. Trimming her down will not hurt her only help her. My Rottie died at 13 years with arthritis, glacoma & hip dysplysia. She was 130 pound german rott, and FAT! I was just a teen, and didn't understand, but now as an adult and vet tech, my pet's health is very important to me! Old bones, bad genes, call it what you want. In the end, prescription meds can help. But without proper diagnostics, you limp along wondering what pains her. It is sad and painful. I would do some diagnostics like xrays and lab work then ask for some pain relief! You may see improvement, but never will it fix the problem. Good luck.<br><b>References : </b><br> If you can’t readily feel your dogs ribs without having to push through some fat, she is overweight. Trimming her down will not hurt her only help her.

My Rottie died at 13 years with arthritis, glacoma & hip dysplysia. She was 130 pound german rott, and FAT! I was just a teen, and didn’t understand, but now as an adult and vet tech, my pet’s health is very important to me!

Old bones, bad genes, call it what you want. In the end, prescription meds can help. But without proper diagnostics, you limp along wondering what pains her. It is sad and painful.

I would do some diagnostics like xrays and lab work then ask for some pain relief!

You may see improvement, but never will it fix the problem.

Good luck.
References :

]]> By: pierced_chick123 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-251 pierced_chick123 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:15:59 +0000 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog#comment-251 There is an over the counter drug called glucosamine that many pet owners and humans take for both joint pain and arthritis. It has been known to be a very effective anti-inflammatory natural drug. Try giving your dog shorter more often walks. Even though they have joint pain cutting out walks can be cause more pain and long walks can do the same. Try giving your dog 2-3, 5-10 min walks a day..Go by what you feel is right for dog.. even try a few trials to figure out what works best. Ask your vet about water therapy and acupuncture. Both of these have been known to be very helpful and effective for reducing pain. Some areas have a swimming pool dedicated to just animals.<br><b>References : </b><br>Info on hip displasia which is similar to arthritis http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1916 Info on glucosamine http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=542 There is an over the counter drug called glucosamine that many pet owners and humans take for both joint pain and arthritis. It has been known to be a very effective anti-inflammatory natural drug.

Try giving your dog shorter more often walks. Even though they have joint pain cutting out walks can be cause more pain and long walks can do the same. Try giving your dog 2-3, 5-10 min walks a day..Go by what you feel is right for dog.. even try a few trials to figure out what works best.

Ask your vet about water therapy and acupuncture. Both of these have been known to be very helpful and effective for reducing pain. Some areas have a swimming pool dedicated to just animals.
References :
Info on hip displasia which is similar to arthritis

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1916

Info on glucosamine
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=542

]]> By: SeaEff http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-250 SeaEff Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:35:59 +0000 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog#comment-250 My friend's dog had a similar problem although he is much older, a 14 year old springer spaniel. He is now on a daily maintenance dose of Metacam, which has done wonders for him. I would suggest going back to the vet or seeing another for advice.<br><b>References : </b><br> My friend’s dog had a similar problem although he is much older, a 14 year old springer spaniel. He is now on a daily maintenance dose of Metacam, which has done wonders for him.
I would suggest going back to the vet or seeing another for advice.
References :

]]> By: hockeychic http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-249 hockeychic Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:17:59 +0000 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog#comment-249 We just went through this with our 7 year old dog.. 100 pounds. He was having trouble getting up and couldn't sit without floppnig over on his side. We had Xrays done and found that he has some hip displasia..but also he has lost muscle mass in his hind area. They put him on steroids and gave him an anti inflammatory. Plus they found that he had a low thyroid ...which we had no idea because he's not overweight. Once we started him on all these meds ....plus Science Diet Joint prescription food.....he started to feel like his old self. He even sits sometimes. He's not perfect but there is improvement for sure. So for your dog..check for hip displaysia.. thyroid..and see about putting her on some special joint food and maybe you'll see her feeling better.<br><b>References : </b><br> We just went through this with our 7 year old dog.. 100 pounds. He was having trouble getting up and couldn’t sit without floppnig over on his side.

We had Xrays done and found that he has some hip displasia..but also he has lost muscle mass in his hind area. They put him on steroids and gave him an anti inflammatory. Plus they found that he had a low thyroid …which we had no idea because he’s not overweight.

Once we started him on all these meds ….plus Science Diet Joint prescription food…..he started to feel like his old self. He even sits sometimes. He’s not perfect but there is improvement for sure.

So for your dog..check for hip displaysia.. thyroid..and see about putting her on some special joint food and maybe you’ll see her feeling better.
References :

]]> By: Dont Ask http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-248 Dont Ask Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:29:59 +0000 http://dogsbed.whirlwindz.com/orthopedic-dog-bed/arthritis-in-a-large-breed-dog#comment-248 Switch vets - there are good dog arthritis medicines out there, or MAYBE give her aspirin, but you'd have to check the dosage and make sure it was dog aspirin. There's no need for her to suffer - people don't put up with it when they get older, why should your dog have to? Good luck.<br><b>References : </b><br>former 11 yo husky mix with creaky joints RIP Tyson Switch vets – there are good dog arthritis medicines out there, or MAYBE give her aspirin, but you’d have to check the dosage and make sure it was dog aspirin. There’s no need for her to suffer – people don’t put up with it when they get older, why should your dog have to?

Good luck.
References :
former 11 yo husky mix with creaky joints
RIP Tyson

]]>