I read on other threads that Ascriptin is a good OTC medication to try as temporary relief on a dog with arthritis pain. Has anyone used it with an older dog (say, 10+ years)? How did it go? Also, are there any guesses as to what amount would be good for a 30 lb dog? I am planning to take my old girl to the vet, but I need a backup if he prescribes a painkiller I cannot afford.
Thanks.
Leah

If I had a problem with an adult dog that weighed 30 lbs I would consider a baby aspirin. I have written about Rymadyle on my web site. Use the search function. Its a terrible drug. Dogs cannot have Ibuprophin (sp?)

Thank you very much. I'll check it out.
Leah

If you have a dog with arthritis or think that a dog may have arthritis or dysplasia issues in the future, I highly recommend Adequan. It's an injectable glucosamine.

It's not cheap, but everything I've heard and read is only positive. It's big in the equine world for lameness, and even though they "market" it with different labels for dogs, it's the same drug.

You need to do a "mega-dose" in the beginning, then you give the dog an injection at intervals depending on severity of symptoms. Again, nothing but positives.

The first set of x-rays I had done on my dog led me to believe he had less than great hips, so we mega-dosed and put him on Adequan. A new set of x-rays 3 months later actually got him and OFA "good" rating, but I still give him a dose once a month - and will do so for life - just because. It won't hurt him and since it actually has been proven to lubricate and help generate protective joint tissue, I figue why not. He works hard and even if dysplasia doesn't become and issue, as a SchH dog he's got a hard physical life in front of him.

Then again, my brother is a vet and I get it at cost. But if you have a connection or can afford it, I'd look into it.

My 4 1/2 year old Female German Shepherd had cruciate ligament surgery on both knees. The left in 2002 and the right in 2004. She has arthritis pretty bad in both knees and has been on Metacam, Glyco Flex II and Omega 3 and 6 supplements for over a year. The Metacam does not do the trick. She runs and plays with my other GSD but she pays for it at the end of the day when she lays down you can tell when she is in pain because she digs her front paws into the carpet and scrunches her face.

I refuse to put her on Rimadyl. Does anyone know if Duramaxx is a safe product? I haven't found anything bad about it or Metacam on the internet.

my a.k.c gsd was diagnoised with hip dysplaisa at the age of 6 months old (she is now 7 yrs old) the first vet she had perscribed ascriptin for her to take... i have not had any problems with her taking it....she is 70 lbs and i was instructed to give her 2 tablets (after eating of course or with food) so for a 30 lb dog i would give only 1 tablet...

im glad to see the information on the rymadil pain killers for dogs as her current vet wanted to put her on that and i said no as she does o.k with the ascriptin.....by the way i only give the ascriptin only when needed (not every day)... and only after heavy exercise.... hiking up and down the alps or if she does alot of training at the dog club i go to...