pkat
Posts:998
 | | 09/08/2007 10:16 AM |
 Alert | | I have heard people talk a little about some good 'remedies' for hip problems. The one I'm thinking of is a little Jello mixed in with their food. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to ease the discomfort for a large Rottie? | |
..... If you can dream it, I can build it.
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." -- Oscar Wilde | |
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Fritzydoodle
Posts:958
| | 09/08/2007 10:40 AM |
Alert | There are no cures - same as in people. Once the joint is damaged, nothing short of surgical replacement fixes it.
I had an older dog with arthritis and other joint pains. I used bute, MSM and glucosamine. (Phenylbutazone and methylsulphonylmethane). Bute is a prescription NSAID anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, commonly used for horses - but it is approved for use in dogs. MSM and glucosamine is available over the counter - I got it from Chitwoods. The grocery stores also carry it.
It doesn't cure the problem but it helps the pain. Mild exercise like daily walks also helps keep them limber. NO RUNNING - that's bad.
You'll need to talk to your vet about dosages based on your animals size and condition. | |
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demonica
Posts:850
| | 09/08/2007 3:26 PM |
Alert | | pkat, we gave our sheltie glucosamine for the last year or so before she passed on advice of her vet for arthritis and it really seemed to make it easier for her to get around. the stuff i got from the vet was WAY cheaper than the stuff you get at health food stores. do you have another rottie now? | | | |
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JillyBean
Posts:375
| | 09/08/2007 6:14 PM |
Alert | | You can get a really good joint supplement called Dasaquin from any vet. The Us gov't doesn't regulate glucosamine so you may not be getting what the bottle says you are.. Dasaquin is the way to go. | |
Tens of THOUSANDS of pure-bred dogs are killed in shelters in the Us EVERY YEAR!
Do your part
~Spay or Neuter your pets
~DON'T buy animals from irresponsible breeders..
~There is an adoption group for every breed of dog.. | |
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Mommystacey
Posts:180
| | 09/08/2007 9:00 PM |
Alert | | I agaree that the government does not regulate over the counter stuff and the stuff you can get from the vet is a better choice. They have MANY products to try and help make it easier. The best exercise your dog can get is swimming. It is good on the joints. | | | |
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njparks
Posts:201
| | 09/10/2007 7:38 AM |
Alert | All good suggestions! Keeping the dog's weight down and exercise are the best things for keeping hips healthy.
I tried everything for my old lab...glucosamine with msn, chondritin, remidyl from the vet...never tried the dasaquin, maybe it's a newer med. Some work differently and work better on some dogs. A friend had her vet inject some adaquin (I think that's what it was...something for horses?) into the joint which helped her young lab's terrible hips. That dog's hips were so bad that they clicked when he walked. He is still alive at 10 yrs. I don't know if it could help an older dog or not.
It's a terrible thing to have to deal with. Good thing you're in AZ...best place for bad hips. | |
Nancy | |
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Dane Lover
Posts:13
| | 09/10/2007 12:58 PM |
Alert | You can also give them an baby aspirin for the pain. Make sure there aren't any stairs for them to climb. In the winter you can put a heating pad under their bed that can help with the stiffness. And as usual, I have to get on my soapbox - if anyone is considering a large purebred dog for a pet, make sure the parents have beeen OFA'ed. It helps cut down on the chance your dog will get hip displaysia in their future. Now if we could only convince these large breed dogs that they are not lap dogs!<img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/laugh.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Laugh' align='absmiddle'>
One more thing - can someone help me get a picture next to my name like everyone else has? | | | |
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Mommystacey
Posts:180
| | 09/10/2007 8:48 PM |
Alert | | Be very carful with any aspirn, it can really mess with the liver!!! | | | |
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