here is a link to the study r.v.i.

I haven't been able to find any follow-up information since the study in '93. My old shepherd will be 14 in March, and is in good health and mind other than the spondylosis. He has deteriorated a little more in the last year or so. A little less mobility, stiffer in the back legs, less muscle. He still has the same get up and go from when he was a pup. He just can't move like that pup anymore. I try helping/eliminating some of the problems. Feed him with his dish elevated, try to keep him off the linoleum (he can't get up from that) lifting him in to the car, exercise him separately, he's a house dog. He is on Adequan which has helped the most, glucosomine/msm and salmon oil and vit. E. I feed him Canidae and Barking at the Moon, with occasional raw beef and canned salmon, and some Honest Kitchen mixed in, but it is mostly the dry dog food. His vet was up for trying the r.v.i., but when it came down to it I backed out. It sounds like a miracle, but I can't find anything for long term effects or if I would be jeopardizing my dog in any way.
We have another appointment to make in January, his kidney values were slightly elevated at his senior exam, but he was pretty stressed during the trip and the exam which could have dehydrated him a bit.
He is such an awesome dog. I just don't know if it is something I should try to help him feel better or not. Has anyone heard of this or tried it? I know it is used in horses, but that is all.
Thanks,
Sue

Why don't you call Dr. Polley? His number is listed on the website.
The treatment does sound very promising, has your vet heard of any follow-up studies?
I would say that your 14 year old dog would obviously be much happier with less pain. If the drug is going to cause long-term health problems they would probably be out weighed by the benefits for your aging dog.
Does it cause long-term problems in horses?

Hi Sue,
Do you think your dog is in pain? One of mine has a severe case but isn't in pain at all.
AL

My vet had tried to find info also, but she didn't get any further than I did. I had tried emailing Dr. Polley at several different addresses with no response, I had not tried calling yet.
Someone I know, his parents are big into showing horses, and was checking with them, they had used it over the years on their horses. He thought I should check with of University of MN, they had gone there alot with their horses.

Al, I think he must have some pain. He will make a small yelp, sometimes it seems more like frustration, when getting on the sofa, but not always. One of his back legs just doesn't flex like it used to. He is a very tough dog, and over all the years have seen him take some nasty spills, and never a peep out of him. Just shake it off and get on to business. So just to hear anything at all, I do think it hurts. Sometimes he will also shake all over like he is cold, but he is inside and shouldn't be cold. When we had his xrays done, his hips looked good, and just a little arthritis starting to set in, I think that was just last year. He doesn't sit still much, walking around with a frisbee in his mouth most of the time. He has always been a busy boy.