Geriatric Dog

Re: Geriatric Dog

Fiona Leathers — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:53:32 GMT

Try Purina JM, its definitely a tastier diet than the JD and there's 100% money back gaurentee if they don't eat it. Sometimes, the newer NSAIDs just don't hit the pain right so it might be worth trying an older one like PLTs

Re: Geriatric Dog

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:18:35 GMT

[quote user="Jo Mackenzie"]

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice/opinions

I have an old staffie (unsure of exact age as was a rescue, around 13-14?). She has pituitary Cushings and arthritis and is on Vetoryl and Rimifin. She's always been quite a grumbly little dog and and wanders a lot but over the last month or so she's been moaning almost constantly and won't settle, she paces up and down the living room for hours on end. We've recently moved house - she coped well the last twice we've moved with her but it might have something to do with it? She's also getting worse on her legs and does quite often stumble and/or fall but my fiance works from home so is always there to help her up. I know she probably doesn't have much longer but I want to try everything I can for her. One of my vets has suggested I try her on Vivitonin and Selgian - any thoughts? Or has anyone got any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[/quote]

Jo,

she sounds like my old 14 year old German Short Haired Pointer, Rosie. To me, reading that post, she is a dog in pain.

Rosie is on Cosequin D/S tablets 3 daily, Previcox 227mg one daily, cod liver oil capsule one daily and homeopathy treatment twice daily. Yes, she is on a lot of drugs, but for a 14 year old with severe spinal spondolysis of the spine and arthritis in every joint possible - she is doing extrtemely well considering.

I wouldnt force an old dog to eat a new diet if he/she doesnt want it - I tried Rosie on J/D but she didnt like it and I didnt force her. To be honest, she is quite advanced with her spondolysis and arthritis that I doubt a maintenance prescripton diet would have been much benefit to her anyway.

Do you ever massage her joints? That would be an idea, as well as acupuncture? Rosie goes for regular acupuncture to a vet who lives in Bangor but also practices in a well known Belfast referral hospital. I can give you all the detalis if you want to pm me.

Re: Geriatric Dog

rozzavn — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:39:44 GMT

I tried Selgian for my old dog (14 years) but it made him vomit. Vivitonin helped tho. Tried B/D too, cant say if it worked or not, seemed to have a very short shelf life once opened, I would stick with J/d its great.

Re: Geriatric Dog

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:24:47 GMT

have had some clients who have used it with good feedback. saying that i do think the j/d is the bestest food in the world although i have known it not work for some dogs. worth a try??

Re: Geriatric Dog

A Little TLC — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:22:59 GMT

Might be worth getting some Nutri-Cal too? That stuffs awesome....

Re: Geriatric Dog

Jo Mackenzie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:46:51 GMT

Thanks everyone for the advice, have started her on vivitonin so fingers crossed. Has anyone used b/d before? I've got her on j/d at the moment but I have to say it's made no difference (although to be fair her arthritis is pretty severe), plus she's not overly keen on the taste.

Re: Geriatric Dog

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:41:52 GMT

vivitonin and hills b/d

Re: Geriatric Dog

A Little TLC — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:48:25 GMT

Vivitonin is brilliant.

Re: Geriatric Dog

les punton — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:29:40 GMT

aw bless, I would def get her checked over by you r vet again incase there are any medical probs. Im with the rest of the guys with vivitonin, but iv not heard of much sucess about selgian (not anything bad though). Zylkene? incase its due to the move but with it being new I dont know an awful lot about it. Hope it works out x

Re: Geriatric Dog

Nicola Smith — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:12:54 GMT

I have a dog who is almost 16 and he has many moments where he paces and won't settle. I have mine on aktivait and though he still does it I'm sure its a it better. He has also just started having acupuncture to help with his legs - that may help if there is a chronic pain elementperhaps?

Re: Geriatric Dog

daisy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:21:25 GMT

i would agree with the vivitonin, ive never used it on any of my pets but have had a lot of years of using it in practice and have had excellent feedback from clients.

give it a go! and good luck

Jue

Re: Geriatric Dog

Maisy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:21:16 GMT

My old dog was on Vivitonin for about 3 months, and he often behaved how you described. It did make a big difference to his mental state and he didn't often just lie and stare into space or pacing as much as he did. The vet also wanted to see if it would increase blood flow to his hips as these were the main problem, however it didn't really work with this. Overall though I would use it again if my dogs started to show that type of behaviour.

Hope all goes well for your dog.