Posting this for someone I know. Any advice on steps to take would be appreciated.

"Got the results back from the vet today, and she has arthritis in her front right leg, and it is starting up in her front left leg. Vet said it is because of the amount of running she has done, even though she just turned four New Years day. They can do surgery to scrape the joint to alleviate some of the pain, but she will always have discomfort, and is not supposed to run, period. We have medication to help the pain also, but nothing that can solve her problem. She loves to hunt and knows when I take the other dog out to run in the fields. If anyone has any suggestions or info on cures, I'd love to hear them.
"

Google Adequan. ASAP. And add Ester C in high doses (1000-2000 for a big dog, less for small/med of course).


http://workingdogs.com/doc0039.htm


Edited by Jenni Williams (01/07/2008 05:44 PM)
Edit reason: add link

Keith,
I'm sure Connie will jump in with lots of information, but here's what has worked for me in managing canine arthritis. Glucosamine/chondroitin supplement - I've tried several but I like Grand Flex (Leerburg sells it) which is a powder you can mix into food. Adequan as suggested by Jenni is injectable glucosamine - it's expensive but works well for many dogs. I also feed extra salmon oil, vit. E and vit. C to arthritic dogs. Switching to a raw diet definitely helps, IME. You don't say what pain medication has been prescribed for your friend's dog, but I hope it's not Rimadyl - there is lots of information on this site about why this is a dangerous drug. My vet recommends buffered aspirin as a safer (and much cheaper) initial choice for managing arthritis pain. It can cause stomach irritation, but most dogs tolerate it if you give it with food - I'm currently giving a 70lb older dog one 325 mg tablet daily for his arthritis and he's doing well. Gentle but regular exercise is also important even if lots of running is now off the agenda for this dog.

Hope this helps.

I use equine Adequan-cheaper and more concentrated so it goes farther. Also, only the loading dose is really expensive...after the first month it's not so bad. You can get it online for under $50 a vial.