Arthritis Update

Hi all, took Daisy to see the vetnurse this morning about her arthritis. She is a little bit overweight 22/23 kilos but not much as she is a big boned girl and quite long legged, she still has a waist lol.

I told them I was giving her the extra strength glucosamine with Omega Oils and Chondroitin and they were trying to tell me about their supplement they sell which doesn't seem much different but is a purer strength. It works out about £60 for first month and £35 per month thereafter. Am I being a bit cynical or does this sound a bit steep. It prob isn't any different to what I am giving her.

They also want to give her x-rays and blood tests to see if her organs would cope with long term metacam for the pain.

I just don't know, the poor old girl lives a lovely life laying on the couch and does just fine with a 10 min walk a day and her cheap glucosamine. I don't think I would want her operated on at her age as she has already had a stroke so could be risky. Am I being bad just letting her amble along as she is?? She seems happy enough. I am thinking about getting a physiotherapist to come and give her a massage once a month instead, really unsure what to do. Anybody with senior dogs got any thoughts?? Also I am gonna go to Dunelm and get a big bit of foam cut for her already high bed, she is like princess and the pea lol.

So sorry to hear she has arthritis.

Sometimes I think Vets just try to sell brands to you as they need to get sales targets so anything you suggest they will always says theirs is best. Thats only my opinion though!

I wonder if swimming might help her? I really want to start Misty swimming as sometimes I wonder if she might have a bit of a dodgy hip as she (only rarely) limps for a few steps when she has been running full pelt but then she shakes it off (vets are not concerned ) but Ive read that swimming and hydrotherapy can really help dogs. From my research there are a surprising amount of these doggy only pools around and some of them you can actually get in with your dog. Dont know if it could help Daisy but might be worth a go?

I definitely think the physiotherapist is a good idea- sure she would love a massage- all that fussing

Thanks Emma, I might look into that. xx

tbh the cheap and more expensive brands work just the same hydratherapy will work wonders for her arthritis massages work well too

Green Lipped Mussel Capsules helped my boy loads with his arthritis, he also had regular cartrophen injections. But I would highly recommend Green Lipped Mussel, they brought him a new lease of life x

Where did you get the capsules Nick ?

Hi Ian, they were from Holland and Barret health food shop. They are for humans however green lipped mussel is green lipped mussel. Do a search on the internet there is lots of evidence showing that this is very effective in the treatment of arthritis in dogs x

Yumove has the same thing and others also swear by it, think I might get some and see how my Flo gets on... Thanks for letting me know

Yeah give it a go, one of my friends dog was taking Yumove which helped. She did try Green Lipped Mussel and found it worked better, but each dog is different x

Thanks all. x

It is a tough call to know what to do for the best Clare. My Flo is looking more unsteady on her back legs but I'm really not sure that an op is the best thing. Like your Daisy my Flo is happy to do her thing and will chase her Stix on walks etc but is definitely slowing down.

If she were younger I wouldn't hesitate so unless she starts to show signs of discomfort or not wanting to walk I think I'll let things be.