Jake & Dixon will turn 10 yrs old during July & August this year. I've noticed that they have both slowed down quite a bit over the course of the last year and a half (not all at once). They're taking glucosamine/cond. & omega 3 supplements which have helped some of the morning and after-nap stiffness and skin dryness.

They have their annual checkup in 3 months- I'm planning to ask the vet about the stiffness and slowing down then, just wondered if there were any specific symptoms I should be concerned about between now and then that would indicate I should take them in sooner? Is this all pretty normal as dogs age?

I added Adaquan, an injectable, for my female. The dose for it is once a month....but pricey. Makes a big difference for her. Used it for a number of years for my horse. I can see the difference toward the last few days before the month is up.

I also give her Trixsyn daily on her food (from vet) along with E & salmon oil a high quality vitamin & good amount of exercise

I added Adaquan, an injectable, for my female. The dose for it is once a month....but pricey. Makes a big difference for her. Used it for a number of years for my horse. I can see the difference toward the last few days before the month is up.

I also give her Trixsyn daily on her food (from vet) along with E & salmon oil a high quality vitamin & good amount of exercise

Garrett was in to see the vet every six months to have his blood tested for his Lysodren. The vet always asked if anything out of the ordinary was happening. This last time I'd mentioned that he had started licking the top of his front leg joint (wrist area) and the odd time he'd get kind of weird and just start licking the floor. She looked him over good and said that he probably had a little arthritis setting in.

She didn't do x-rays but said she could feel a bit of swelling. I really couldn't see anything. But she gave us a bottle of Derramax and within a week he seemed like a puppy again. Half a tablet a day for his 83 lbs.

We didn't notice him slowing down so much but boy did we notice when he started to pick up. And no more licking.

So yeah, maybe look for odd licking and signs of swelling around the joint areas.

And gosh, if they are going into those wonderful double digit years, I suggest lots of ice cream, if they like it. I bought the dixie cups and Garrett got a couple a week.

My only regret is that he didn't get them everyday that last month.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

Garrett was in to see the vet every six months to have his blood tested for his Lysodren. The vet always asked if anything out of the ordinary was happening. This last time I'd mentioned that he had started licking the top of his front leg joint (wrist area) and the odd time he'd get kind of weird and just start licking the floor. She looked him over good and said that he probably had a little arthritis setting in.

She didn't do x-rays but said she could feel a bit of swelling. I really couldn't see anything. But she gave us a bottle of Derramax and within a week he seemed like a puppy again. Half a tablet a day for his 83 lbs.

We didn't notice him slowing down so much but boy did we notice when he started to pick up. And no more licking.

So yeah, maybe look for odd licking and signs of swelling around the joint areas.

And gosh, if they are going into those wonderful double digit years, I suggest lots of ice cream, if they like it. I bought the dixie cups and Garrett got a couple a week.

My only regret is that he didn't get them everyday that last month.

What a huge topic. And so much has already been brought up here.


There are threads here about NSAIDs and how to minimize the side-effect fears, about heating pads (a biggie in my house), about good beds, fish oil and E, weight control, and more. Post back and mention any topic you want to get links on, and I'll try to dig 'em up.

YES to Adequan, if you can afford it ( http://www.caberfeidh.com/Adequan.htm ),

And " They're taking glucosamine/cond. & omega 3 supplements " .... particularly about the Omega 3s .... you might want to post exactly what you're giving. Is it fish oil, and which one? Plus E, and which kind?

CJ- ice cream?

Connie, the omega 3 is from the vet's office- called Catalyst. the label says fish oil + vit E (DL-Alpha-Tocopheryl).

weight control would be a good one. Jake had gained 3 lbs when we went to the vet for a nail trim a little over a month ago so I increased walks. We went back last week and he'd gained 5 more lbs! Doesn't look like he gained any though and he's been eating the same. Something else we're keeping an eye on.

Thanks all-

 Quote: Carolyn Pike

CJ- ice cream?

I'm sorry Carolyn, probably not the best advice for sure but it was a treat around here.

Every Sunday night after his yucky, pasty Lysodren pill we'd sit down and I'd hold the little cup for him. He loved Sunday nights and usually throughout the week we'd have one ice cream night.

He loved his ice cream and I guess it's just kind of my way of saying, enjoy giving them what they enjoy eating as well.

Not trying to be a downer or anything (sorry, still feeling his absence) but when they're gone, you want nothing more than to redo everything that brought them joy, over and over again..... How'd this screen get so blurry? Ahhhhh, this too shall pass.

But yes, what Connie says. Nice cushy beds, heated when it's cool. Garrett had a lifetime of vitamin E and Grizzly fish oil, along with weeks of glucosamine and recovery and various other vitamins and supplements.

And yes, ice cream. It was a no name brand of Dixie cup that they sell at our Cooper's here. He didn't like the bucket ice cream so much but these cups were more milky ice than cream. On the grocery list every month.


Do what's right for your dogs though, listen to Connie.

I've always had good luck with aspirin. It can cause stomach problems, but it usually doesn't and it is cheap and a potent anti-inflammatory.

Give at night with food. Old dogs wake less stiff. Not daily, and not every dog can take it --- but for those who can, it works well to ease joint stiffness.

There are multiple newer products, but they have their own side effects, are not 100% safe either,and are expensive.

NEVER Advil, Tylenol or Aleve. Just aspirin, the enteric coated Ecotrin or Bufferin.

 Quote: Carolyn Pike

.... weight control would be a good one. Jake had gained 3 lbs when we went to the vet for a nail trim a little over a month ago so I increased walks. We went back last week and he'd gained 5 more lbs! Doesn't look like he gained any though and he's been eating the same. Something else we're keeping an eye on.

Thanks all-

Older male dogs of many breeds, IME, can tend to pack on excess weight around the neck-chest-shoulder area, and it's much harder to see it than when it's more of a waistline expansion.

Excess weight for a dog with OA is a major thing to address.

Do you know about the green-bean trick to help fill up a supper bowl that you have decreased by 10% or so? Frozen green beans are often really cheap, on sale. I mean cheap like 3 bags for $5. Dogs like them, too, IME! And they love canned green beans (yuck), but those are loaded with salt unless you get no-salt-added.

Every extra pound off his joints will help.

CJ, my guys too get treats that they love. A little bit of a fabulous treat ....

As you said, "you want nothing more than to redo everything that brought them joy, over and over again."