• Zak was having some minor arthritis problems a couple months ago (left front leg). The vet prescribed Previcox. I bought a whole bottle to have on hand although I didn't want to have to give him medication. He had been on Cosequin (double strength) for a couple years as preventative and I added a fish oil pill once a day and switched him to a grain-free diet. He also gets regular exercise (always has). I have yet to have to give him a Previcox. 🙂


  • My breeder friend says that Carprofen (Rimadyl) is a really nasty drug. Google Rimadyl. Ask the vet to give you Tramadol (synthetic opiate) instead. At least that will not destroy her kidneys and liver. I have an almost full bottle of Chondroflex II from my older B that died in April of old age if you want it. I will mail it to you.
    http://www.vitalityvet.com/HTMLPRODUCTS/chondro2.html


  • @nobarkus:

    My breeder friend says that Carprofen (Rimadyl) is a really nasty drug. Google Rimadyl. Ask the vet to give you Tramadol (synthetic opiate) instead. At least that will not destroy her kidneys and liver.

    I read up on Rimadyl when Kananga was on it after his surgery and having his UTI (I suspected it was perhaps the medication causing problems, turned out not the case).

    I read some interesting things about that pain medication none the less. Not sure I'd put him on it again in the future for any needs.


  • Short term Rimadyl is usually not a problem, long term would be, IMO… that said, when talking about elders, sometimes we do what we can to keep them comfortable....


  • Tramadol is a really good pain reliever which works by blocking the pain messages to the brain and I would have thought would be better than Rimadyl.

    I am on Tramadol for arthritis pain and it works very well with no effects on lidneys or liver. I've only had one experience of using it for dogs though but again found it very effective.

    Any oldies I've had with arthritis have also benefited from wearing a Bioflow magnetic collar. I have also put one on a ewe who found it very difficult to get up on her legs with much success.


  • Rimadyl or Rimakill as I call it is dangerous drug.Go to SR DOG.COM and read all the deaths from this drug.
    I would never give it under any circumstance,but that is me.I would hate to see anymore names added to the memorials.


  • I have noticed that my vet has switched to prescribing Metacam or Tramadol for pain. Metacam when they want the anti-inflammatory as well as the pain relief. Tramadol for just pain. Metacam is an NSAID so there are still those same concerns as other NSAIDs.


  • I have weighed the pros and cons of Rimadyl for Topper, now 14. He has spinal pain and seems to have nerve issues as well, including frantically chewing his tail and occasionally the rear toes on his left foot, his weak leg that trembles occasionally. I was using Rimadyl 25 mg twice a day for 3 or 4 days when his symptoms were very obvious, then weaning off. This got to be a very frequent routine so I started giving him a half pill every morning (12 mg, very low dose). As long as we do this he still limps a little occasionally but does not chew the tail or toes, (it seemed like a nerve-tingling thing that nothing else will stop). We had been on this routine for about 4 months when we were last at the vet, his liver values were very normal and kidney at the top end of normal, but OK for a 14 year old. He has multiple health issues and for now, he seems comfortable and able to move well and play a bit. I know that I may be shortening his overall life span and may have regrets one day, but seeing my old man run and jump and act happy is enough for us, for now.


  • Are there any safe maintenance NSAIDs for animals? AJ and I both have arthritis. He was given Rimadyl, but, as I discussed once with a friend here, I only give it to him when he is bothered by his shoulder. (Maybe once or twice a month.) I take mine daily.
    I agree that keeping them comfortable is important, but reducing arthritic inflamation will prevent further joint damage. What is safe to use for that?
    Did I remember seeing somewhere an herbal answer?


  • @AJs:

    Are there any safe maintenance NSAIDs for animals? AJ and I both have arthritis. He was given Rimadyl, but, as I discussed once with a friend here, I only give it to him when he is bothered by his shoulder. (Maybe once or twice a month.) I take mine daily.
    I agree that keeping them comfortable is important, but reducing arthritic inflamation will prevent further joint damage. What is safe to use for that?
    Did I remember seeing somewhere an herbal answer?

    Have you tried MSM or Glucosime & Chondrotin with MSM? They have it for the dog too.


  • Is dog dosage available at a health food store or can I find it at a pet store? I will give it a shot when I can get some. It didn't work for me (different kind of arthritis) but it might work for AJ. I didn't know it was safe for our furred friends. Thanks!


  • I'm wondering if there's a good holistic remedy for arthritis in canines.


  • Thanks for all the feed back. I have tried Glucosime & Chondrotin supplement for her and though have some minor improvement she still has joint pain in her hips and back legs. I did talk to my vet again re:tramdol. I guess it is used only for pain, where as Rimadyl is help keeps the inflamtion down as well as reduce pain. We have decided to keep her on this treatment but have routine blood work (every 4-6 months) to check liver and kidney values. I live in a fairly large city that has a vet school, so I am going to investigate accupucture and theraputic massage for her too.


  • Does anyone have any feed back on online pet med sites. has anyone used any of the sites?


  • @GenJMar:

    Does anyone have any feed back on online pet med sites. has anyone used any of the sites?

    Yes, I have bought Soloxine thyroid meds from Omaha Vaccine. They do a good job.

    http://www.omahavaccine.com/about_our_company.asp

    You can also use Foster and Smith for meds.
    http://www.drsfostersmith.com/


  • @nobarkus:

    Yes, I have bought Soloxine thyroid meds from Omaha Vaccine. They do a good job.

    http://www.omahavaccine.com/about_our_company.asp

    You can also use Foster and Smith for meds.
    http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

    The only thing that you need to watch when buying on line is the expirations dates


  • Re: arthritis
    I've been giving dogs gluco/condrot for years. Started with the lab 12 years ago. She was 6 when I started and was dysplastic (unknown to us at the time) and I did notice an improvement in her movement and jumping. When the boyz got to be around 7, I started them on it as a preventative and both had careers in agility and coursing. Digital the brindlewonderkid is going to be 13 the end of the year and has just recently retired from agility (maybe). At some point I switched to KNOX nutrajoint with glu/con. And when we got the new malinois, I put her on it b/c I thought she looked weak in her pasterns. I think it or the exercise has helped that; she is about 2.5 years. I notice when I don't get my dose; don't notice when I do.

Suggested Topics