Question about dog arthritis?

7 Responses to “Question about dog arthritis?”

1. Comment by JenVT

   I think it’s good to take her. the vet can give her some meds to keep her more comfortable. ask your family if they would deny themselves tylenol for a headache. really.

2. Comment by KoAussie

   The medications that they will provide will be used to make her more comfortable on a daily basis and yes, she will require them for the duration of her life if the issue at hand is arthritis. Considering that the dog has given you twelve solid years of love and devotion, I consider the gift of comfort, free from debilitating pain a small one.

3. Comment by Aussies are my ♥ Dogs!

   I think that it is kind of you to help your dog be relatively pain free for the rest of her life. I would do this for my dogs at the drop of a hat.

4. Comment by jnetcrum

   I do not think it’s stupid at all. My 11 year old Springer Spaniel started showing signs of arthritis last year. The vet put him on Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory medication “Derramax”. It’s a bit expensive but I just give it to him when I can tell it’s really bothering him. Maybe 1 or 2 days a week. You don’t want to give it to them daily as it can cause liver damage, but just when they need it is perfect and it really works. I also give him Glucosamine tablets I bought at Petsmart daily. Yes, he will be on the medication for the rest of his life but the medication is going to make the rest of his life a lot more bearable and pain free. You are definately doing the right thing.

5. Comment by Bonnie L

   No you aren’t stupid for doing this, but you should have your vet refer you to a canine internal medicine vet for proper care.

6. Comment by Yo LO! Aussie Grins

   You’re not stupid at all. If being on meds for the rest of her life will keep her comfortable and relieve some of the pain, why is that stupid?

7. Comment by thornezoo

   Yes you are absolutely doing the right thing. Arthritis medication is not that costly and it will provide her years of comfort! My vet will try and keep costs down for me. Do not try people meds on your pet unless the vet says it’s ok, but you can ask him/her if a non prescription drug will work since the dog is just beginning to have issues. It may not be severe enough for prescriptions yet. They may want to take xrays to see the condition of her joints, depending on the severity of her lameness. That will help them decide the course of medication.

   My old cat is 16 years old and he has issues in the winter time with licking because of his hips (his hips hurt so he licks to try to make them better). He can still get around VERY well, jumps across rooms still, but during the winter he seems to feel the cold. Just to get him through the vet gives me a depo shot (cortisone) which relieves much of the soreness and it’s like a $30 miracle. I’ve had him on arthritis drops prescribed by the vet for a couple years now. The bottle of drops doesn’t even seem like I’ve even used a quarter of it, the dose I am to give him is so small! My daughter gives him a couple treats called “hipaction” that he adores and it provides glucosamine for his hips.

   If the symptoms have come on rather suddenly it’s better to rule out anything like hip or back problems.

   At 12 your girl has awhile to go…make it as comfortable for her as possible – all she wants is to be with her people and love them!