Arthritis in stifle help

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Mandy Chetwynd — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:55:05 GMT

I have had some dogs do well on Metacam and others seem do better on Carpofen based products.Def try on Glucosamine&chondrotin based supplements-I personally like Cosequin.I also get Clients-Cost permiting-a Joint/mobility diet,Copper/magnetic collars,Weight management, Reg exercise and Hydrotherapy.So many dogs have done so well on hydrotherapy- I would recomened to anyone if they can afford it. I find that alot of the time that they can reduce the amount of Px drugs if using some or better all of the above,Hope this helps.x:0),

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Katy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:42:02 GMT

Ah ok.

I'll have a look on pc on Monday!

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Claire Cameron — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:40:40 GMT

Think for a tub of 120 its about £60 (but we get it cost - assume you would too?)

My pooch is 9kg and loading dose is half BID so is lasting at the min, cant remember what maint dose is, poss half SID? anyway seems to last a while and she LOVES it, goes mental for it and takes it as a treat!

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Katy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:39:04 GMT

Might look into this Ease Flex then!

Is it expensive?

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Claire Cameron — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:38:17 GMT

I'm an Ease Flex fan myself, I also feed J/D and give Cod Liver Oil x

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Katy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:32:06 GMT

I'll ring one of the vets at work tomo and ask her for advice re dosing with carprodyl and what we can try next.

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Katy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:36:32 GMT

Lol! I will do!

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Fiona Leathers — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:36:01 GMT

PM selena I'm sure she will help - baby permitting!

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Katy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:34:49 GMT

Forgot to add. We've started using magnetic boots on my horse for his tendon/navicular problems, and i'm impressed so far. Didn't even think about using magnets on my pooch! Doh!

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Katy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:32:49 GMT

Tried J/D. She pooped for England! 6 poops a day and one over night, which she never does. So we are not using it again! Lol!

The Mobility Support has Green Lipped Mussel Powder in it. It's been working really well up to now. And she's been on it for a good 4 months. Presume it's stopped working then?

Don't want her on NSAIDs for good really. But if she has to be, so be it.

Should I keep her on the carprodyl for a week then and ease her off it or just use it if she limps? After the slightly longer walk with more running, even her 20-30 minute walks are making her stiff.

So depressing.

She doesn't limp on the walk, it's just after she's been sleeping.

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:18:15 GMT

I have used Carprodyl for one of my dogs who had bone cancer, and she tolerated it well, and she had full use of her leg with no signs of limping, so I would say it is pretty good

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Judy Blythe — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:07:23 GMT

What about trying Hill's j/d- it works in a different way and there have been excellent clinical results in the trials and real feeding they have done? She needs to be on it exclusively for three weeks to see the difference (this is because of the cell's renewal time) but it is worth a try. If she is prone to weight gain the reduced calorie version is very good.

Re: Arthritis in stifle help

Fiona Leathers — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:48:45 GMT

I've not used Carprodyl, so don't know if its any better than Metacam, but if its suits her then fine. I would start her on a glucosamine & chondroitin supplement and use pain relief (of your choice) daily, as the glucosamine loading dose kicks in - then reduce down the amount of pain relief until you get a leve that she isn't sore on. Its better to be on pain relief daily than large doses every day, it can slow down arthritic changes and cartilage destruction. Glucosamine can also encourage cartilage regrowth (I'm dubious about this statement cos I'm not sure if lost cartilage will regrow but the reps like to say it). Seraquin has turmeric in it and another has capsium in it (can't remember which one) seemingly these herbs have aninflammatory properties too.

Diet is certainly very good - I use JD on my 2 - also keep an eye on her weight, as any excess kilos will not help. Keep exercise to minimum until the pain relief kicks in then gradually increase. Keep the same amount of exercise each day - don't miss a couple days then one huge walk to make up for it.

I've also got magnetic collars on mine - not sure how helpful they are but they don't do any harm - see Selena about this, I'm sure she sells them.

Also when Bonnie is really bad, she gets a course acupuncture once or twice weekly, until her muscle spasms stops.

Hope this helps - I'm not an expert on arthritis but I've got a 16 year old & a 3 year old with it and I've tried pretty much every glucosamine supplement going. Ease Flex is the favourite with both me & the dogs.