Dog Community

Any Suggestions to Help an Old Dog?

Posted : 8/2/2013 12:12:27 PM

My cousins dog, Ginger, is a 15yr old chow-mix who over the last 18 months has become very weak in her back legs/hips. She has lost a lot of muscle tone in has difficulty getting up and walking. The vet did a full senior work up on her and put her on tramadol less than a year ago. Speaking with my cousin yesterday she said Ginger was not doing well at all and had started to limp on her front leg as well. Not that I know much about these sorts of drugs, I suggested she could ask her vet about Metacam, which every senior dog I know seems to be on and apparently with much improvement in their mobility.

My cousin called this morning after visiting her vet (without Ginger) with some questions I can't answer. The vet told her that Ginger could go on Metacam but would have to also continue with the tramadol as the Metacam would not relieve the pain. She also said Ginger would need regular blood tests done starting after 2 wks and then every 3 months. The problem with that being due to Ginger's present condition getting her in a car and navigating any steps is extremely difficult. My cousin got the impression the vet was less than enthusiastic about Metacam. My cousin mentioned a gloucosamine (sp?) suppliment, which a vet prescribed for a friends dog. It was actually an over the counter (people) brand which her vet said had something in it that was not good for dogs.

To put it bluntly, poor Ginger is probably not going to be with us for the long term so my cousin is not looking for a cure or a miracle. Something more palliative. My cousin just wants her to have as comfortable as life as possible and live out the rest of her days with as little pain and stress as possible. Old age - sigh.

Do you think Metacam is worth a try? Is there anything else you would suggest?

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/2/2013 1:33:16 PM

edited b/c Firefox won't paragrpah grrr

There is actually a LOT she can do.

ANY NSAID is very hard on the liver -- so I would tell her to give milk thistle along with it (and buying that in bulk is SOOOO much cheaper than capsules).

But the reason the vet said to keep the tramadol (which really shuts most dogs down) is because when you "hurt" you tense up. So (remember this is me -- had arthritis since I was a child???) if you take a small relaxant *with* the NSAID it A) hurts less and B) helps the NSAID actually do more (because it's not having to fight that tension-caused extra inflammation because today is 'worse' than yesterday otherwise).

Again anything pharmaceutical for "relaxing" is going to be habit-forming. But an herb like valerian or passionflower isn't habit-forming and won't zone the dog out. But given morning and night (like the NSAID) it will relax the dog enough TO sleep more easily but won't big them brain fog.

Is this person in Canada or the US? In the US you can get Osteo Bi-Flex NutraJoint -- it's just gelatin and calcium but it helps the body rebuild cartilage (i.e, it is a more permanent thing).

Glucosamine/chondroitin - the dog version of it (Adequan/Cosequin) is pricey. Probalby the vet is being cautious because some g/c have artificial sweeteners added (which can be fatal/bad for dogs). But both g/c are routinely used by vets here. All they really are is "hydrators" - meaning they plump the cartilage up with moisture so the cartilage cushions better.

But that only works IF there is still cartilage left. A lot of folks love it -- for me? I've never found it helpful however -- the NutraJoint continues to help me and I've had great results giving to dogs. http://www.swansonvitamins.com ships to Canada and does sell NutraJoint last I looked. I'd only use the plain one tho to be honest. For a chow mix I'd say 1/3 - 1/2 a scoop a day in food would be a good dose. It's a bit milky tasting most dogs do like it.

Beyond that -- there are MANY different essential oils that can be used to massage joints. They do an awesome job of reducing inflammation (yes, even topically).

If you want to give this person my email (bottom right of my signature pic) I've got a whole article on arthritis I'd be happy to send to her. One of the reasons I've always so willingly taken senior dogs is because arthritis often can be managed pretty darned well.

I love old dogs -- I'm never afraid to take them because there really IS a lot you can do to make them comfortable. And they tend to SO love the attention of the massage .. and even the little yummy stuff with capsules in it.

Hope that helps a bit.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/2/2013 1:54:42 PM

Hi Denise; I'm sorry your cousin's dog is having pain and mobility issues. Jessie will be 15 in October and has some rear leg weakness as well. My vet said swimming is wonderful to strengthen the rear legs. It's not an option for Jessie because she has laryngeal paralysis, but may be for Ginger. Since Jessie can't swim I walk her up hills because it's also very good for the muscles in the rear legs. Jessie is 60 pounds and takes 50mg of tramadol 3 times a day, which is a fairly low dose and can be easily increased if necessary. Tramadol is not an NSAID and my vet said it's very safe for Jessie. At the dose she takes, it doesn't make her drowsy. Has your cousin discussed increasing the amount Ginger takes with the vet? Has the vet mentioned Adequan injections; AdequanProductLabel.pdf

It's very effective at helping arthritic dogs and Jessie may be getting the injections in the future. I was concerned about an interaction with one of Jessie's meds and the vet is going to check on that for me. Is your cousin interested in massaging Ginger;

How to Massage an Arthritic Dog

I started doing this last week and I think it's helping. My husband made a ramp for helping Jessie to get in and out of the car. Your cousin can purchase a ramp if there's no one to make one for her. About three years ago, Jessie started limping occasionally on her left rear leg. My vet did x-rays and they showed arthritis in both knees. She was on a standard joint supplement at the time. I started giving her Dasuquin soft chews with MSM ( over the counter product) and the limping stopped;

Amazon.com: NutraMax 84 Count Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews for Large Dogs: Pet Supplies

She didn't need anything else until this spring. Jessie's issues aren't as serious as Ginger's but maybe some of these suggestions will help.

denise m

Posted : 8/2/2013 2:11:31 PM

Thanks Callie, great info and just what I think my cousin was looking for. You have explained it well.

I may be back.