Dog Hip Medicine--Help on remembering

[BigMike]

I had a 13 year old lab that I had to put down several years ago. She kept having seizures. Vet said she had a stoke. She couldn't eat, contol her bowels and lots of other problems. Was the hardest thing I've ever done to decide to have her put to sleep. I can still see it. Very peaceful for the animal, but terrible for the owner. I still tear up when I think about it and wonder if I did the right thing. I remember thinking "Why can't people have the option of going out peacefully?" Thirteen is getting up there for a lab. Always tough deciding how long to prolong their life. It gets pretty expensive and usually doesn't help much. They never are the same again. None of us really are when we start that slippery slide. Best of luck to you in dealing with your dog.

 

[GFrance]

John I hope you get her pain under control & have maney more enjoyable years with Abby. Sherman our Chocolate lab will be two in January & is the best dog we've had yet. I dred the day when his health starts deteriating. WE had a black lab 14yrs 12 pups 1st lit. 10 pups 2nd lit. Love those Labs.

 

[John L]

I have a Bull Mastiff which has had surgery on all four legs. During the colder month or too much running around the dog can hardly stand up. Rimadyl is the only thing that seems to keep my dog mobile and pain free. Like others have said, Rimadyl is very expensive but works.



John

 

[ramman2u]

my 8yr old rotty (zues) has bad front elbow dispalceia(spelling?) the doc. has him on glucosamine - chondroitin 60/20 three pills a day , its just a supplement that helps bulid and maintain joint cartilage from arthritis and it does work zues is in much better spirts now,and if he is limping around its nothing a couple of aspirin dont help. you can get it at any drug store. (be careful with rimadly it will cause kidney and liver damage in time. my aunt found this out after the fact, i hate to see the same to happen to anyone else) good luck with abby.

 

[Sled Dog]

Talked to my vet and he said the same thing about rimadly ( causes liver and kidney damage). That's why were using Metacam ( causes no liver damage and no kidney damage unless there is a pre-existing kidney problem) his quote. I always attempt to go beyond the standard care for my 18 kids. But as with any drug there will be contraindications. Hope your Pup gets to feeling lots better

 

[JBell]

Nsaids are bad for humans and animals. Use MSM + glucosimine, it works on humans and and animals better than any thing else. Nsaids merely mask the problem. JBell

In TEXAS.

 

[jersey diesel]

Nsaids

These anti inflamatories have there place. They should be used with MSM and glucosamine at the start of treatment for pain relief. It takes awhile for the other products"which should be used" to kick in. Then they can be dicontinued and used oc as needed.

 

[CStewart]

My German shepard started having problems when she was about 8 years old. I started her on Eukanuba senoir maintenance dry dog food which has glucosimine and condrotine in it. After about two weeks she was her old self again, and she was runnin around playin catch the day before she died of a stroke at 13.



Chris

 

[hammersley]

Update - I have Abby on Rimadyl

And Adequan. She is doing pretty well. Xrays showed that she has a spin problem that may be pinching s nerve - so the injections (adequan) and the Rimadyl are doin miracles at this point.



Couple of Photos --



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Abby is the older Dog on Right - Sophie is on the left. The Cartoon Guy is FLAT STANLEY - does anybody else know who he is?????



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Taken on The Alvoid Desert in SE Oregon



Day trip - back of Truck... .



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[Crazy Horse]

good lookin pups, glad to hear she's doing better.

 

[rmrc]

Prayers will continue for Abby for a complete and quick recovery!!!!!

 

[hammersley]

Thanks all---

I really appreciate all the thoughts, kind words and prayers. I mean that sincerely... . And as I'm sure you guys know, if you've never been really close to a dog - you've really missed something very special.....



Dog people are indeed "good people".....

 

[Eventer]

My 12 year old German Shepard also has hip problems, to the point where he could not even walk up stairs and it hurt for him to walk.



He has been on a full human dose of glucosamine and chondroitin every day for several months. He is acting almost like a puppy again. I also give him an asprin (minimal dosage for heart attacks) every other day.



Good luck.



P. S. This was with my vet's concurrence.