Do You Have An Elderly Dog That's Getting A Bit Creaky?

[Tilly2]

If so, I'd like to share this with you.

Tilly (in the avatar) has become increasing stiff and achy over the last few months and has been finding life a bit of a struggle. Three weeks ago, she could hardly stand and was holding her front leg up and out at a strange angle. We whipped her off the the vets who said she was having a bad arthritis flare -up and needed some anti inflammatory/pain killing medicine. He prescribed a medicine called Metacam which we had to put in her food. The difference it has made has been amazing. It's as though the clock has been turned back years. She's running, jumping, shaking things to death (slippers) and really enjoys her walks again.

It's lovely to see. She will be kept on this medicine now with regular blood tests to check for possible side effects. It's like a little miracle.

[shoota]

You got some AA?

[anneasquith]

no shoota............but I know a man who has !!!!!

[Tilly2]

Thank you, rsvp. I'll talk to the vet about that when I take her for her blood test.
I don't mind what I have to do as long as it works. As you well know, dogs are so stoic and grumble free, they just cope with what life throws at them.

Jordy, I have had dogs for the last forty years and every one has been insured. When things go wrong it costs a fortune, as you found out.

[lankeela]

One of my old Heelers was getting a bit stiff and we tried Metacam which helped the stiffness but he started passing blood in his poo so we had to stop giving it to him. Its not meant to be given long term, as it can affect their organs. Try to give the minimum dose you can get away with. A much better thing to try is Yumove or one of the Glucosamin & Chondroitin supplements which you can get from Holland and Barrett (human stuff but fine for dogs too).

[Tilly2]

Thank you, lankeela. I will talk to the vets about long term use. Tilly also has Seraquin tablets which are a nutritional supplement. I think it has been the painkilling aspect of Metacam that has done Tilly good.

[roopower]

Jordyboy9, if that's the right amount of zeros, I' d call that very excessive!

[Zacs-Master]

Tilly, try giving Tilly some fish in her diet. Tuna, mackerel etc as oily fish is good for their joints.

[Amphilogiai]

//I was asked to pay£5000,500 for an operation// Wow!

[viv38]

I'll tell you what else is good - Seatone or extract of green lipped mussel from health shops. My elderly lad who is 16 now, started to limp on one of his front legs a couple of years ago and was licking it when he lay down, so I started him on Seatone (one a day) and within days he'd stopped limping and has never had any problems with that leg (or any of his other ones) again.

[Tilly2]

Amp, you know what he means £5,500 is an awful lot of money to pay out for an operation.

Thanks, viv and Zacs for your suggestions. I should have given her some on my Manx kippers last week, although they may have been a bit salty. I'll look out for the Seatone.

[pastafreak]

Our oldie,Bramble,was put on metacam for her arthritic hips. Like rsvp,it was given 'as needed'. It worked until deafness,blindness and all the rest of old age caught up.

[Tilly2]

It does seem to be good stuff, pasta.

[madmaggot]

I use Mobile Bones for my dog and have done for about 12 months. It works. She was off it for a fortnight last year because supplies ran out when she was staying at her 'aunties' for 6 weeks, she was a bit enthusiastic with the doseage in the initial weeks. When she got home she was back to her stiffness and not wanting to go for walks. I get it online where I usually find it for about £7 which lasts my dog (usually) a month. RRP is £10.
My dog has very bad reaction to Metacam and lots of other meds.
Yumove is a clinically proven supplement as recommended above but is much more expensive than MBs.