Dog Arthritis

[moxiegrl]

My brother has a 5 yr. old purebread GSD named Zeus. I saw him yesterday and felt so bad, as he was obviously in a lot of pain and limping around. I know they have had him in and out of the vets consistently, trying to find something to help. Hes had cortizone shots, been on prednisone, he was taking doggy aspirin, which seemed to help a little they said, but then got GI bleed so aspirin thinning his blood had to stop.

Are there any natural/herbal remedies that may be able to help? I've already talked to them about changing his food, they were feeding him something from the grocery store. I suggested CSFDLS...(its the easiest to get around here and about the same price as grocery store)...but this poor dog seemes to have had problem after problem. Hes a purebread w/ papers, he came from Germany, but they adopted him.

 

[moxiegrl]

*bump*

 

[Jynx]

are you sure he is suffering from arthritis and not something else? GSD's can come up with alot of different structural problems.

Has he been xrayed?

If it is arthritis, there are many remedies out there available to help,,Cortizone shots and prednisone are not something I'd be using for "just arthritis".

MSM with glucosamine, chondroitan helps to keep joints lubricated, some of the people meds in your vitamin section of walmart I've used, such as Joint Free, the msm w/gluco,,there are also prescriptions, such as Previcox, deramax, I'm surprised the vet didn't offer those suggestions.

If he isn't getting answers from his vet, and frankly I'd want one! I'd take him to an ortho surgeon who is better qualified.
Diane

 

[fillyone]

Back or front?

 

[moxiegrl]

his back legs

 

[Cybill]

If it's an arthritic issue, I would consider a supplement of Chrondoiton or shark cartilage, and if that doesn't help with the pain, you might want to consider Adequan injections.

 

[moe]

I heard metacalm is good for this although I dont know if there are side effects with it to be honest.

Mo

 

[fillyone]

Has he been x-rayed by an othro vet for Hip Dysplasia?
There are surgeries that most dogs do very well with.

 

[moxiegrl]

I'd have to ask my brother..I know they have tried many things though, thats why I was asking about natural remedies. I told him about the chondroitin and MSM w/ Glucosamine. Thanks

 

[Gillian]

Ask the vet about Sashas Blend. Website here for your own info:

http://www.sashasblend.com/?id=aboutsashasblend

Gillian

 

[Poppy]

Check out this site, this contains a lot of information that will help.

http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html

Also, if the dog is being fed kibble they may want to look at some of the Grain free foods on the market. Grain aggravates arthritis. Exercise should be moderate yet consistent, Hydrotherapy is wonderful. Massage is helpful as well. A Raw food diet is a good idea especially adding cartridge meats into the dogs diet.

Good luck, and be sure to send the site to the dogs owner. It is full of information

 

[jojo the pogo]

I'd have to ask my brother..I know they have tried many things though, thats why I was asking about natural remedies. I told him about the chondroitin and MSM w/ Glucosamine. Thanks

Someone mentioned chondroitin from shark cartilidge before. With Glucosamine and chondroitin suppliments it is important that the suppliment come from a natural source like shark cartilidge, bovine cart., or chicken cart. Why...the stuff that doesn't come from a natural souce is a form of sodium and it only stays with the dog until he pees it out, unlike the natural source that will stay with the dog and will improve joint motility faster and better. You can get this at a human health food store.

Also yucca is an anti-inflamitory that will help relieve the pain.