Dog Community

Possible New Dog Questions

Posted : 3/8/2007 9:33:54 AM

Hello, I've posted a few times before but am a habitual lurker. I've posted about my cocker Monty a few times. Well, I'm in the process of possibly adopting a dog from my local humane society. He's 14 and has arthritis and has been on rimadyl, according to the records, for approximately 3 years. This seems extremely long to be on one drug especially with the side effects. I'd really like to get him on something else. We have a swim clinic for dogs here in town which provides therapeutic swimming for arthritic dogs along with massage, acupuncture, etc. I've already called them and will be taking him there. I'm just concerned about the long-term use of the rimadyl he's been on. Should he be having his liver tested or anything.

Also, I've already met this dog. He's very sweet. I'm bringing my cocker Monty to meet him tonight. Not sure how a young cocker will be around an older fellow.

labcrab

Posted : 3/8/2007 9:59:40 AM

Sorry, I don't know anything about the long terms affects of rimadyl, I just wanted to say Bless You for adopting a senior! He's very lucky to have found you. fwiw, I would get a full CBC including a metabolic panel on *any* dog I adopted.

nyiceprincess

Posted : 3/8/2007 10:03:38 AM

Big senior dog fan here! Bless you for adopting one! We have had good results with willow bark for pain.Also Knox nutrijoint helps.Hopefully Callie will see this,she has seemingly endless information on helping seniors and their issues.She would be happy to help im sure! She is the one who gave me the willowbark and knox info.

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 3/8/2007 10:13:35 AM

Thank you guys for your responses.

nyiceprincess, I love senior dogs. This particular gentleman was with the same family for 11 years and got to be old and arthritic and these people would allow their kids to play rough with him. Well, he growled once at one of the kids, probably because he was in pain, and they dumped him at the humane society. He's just the most polite, sweet guy ever. I really hope my young Monty will respect the elder's signals and leave him be. We'll see.

Edited to add picture:

nyiceprincess

Posted : 3/8/2007 10:21:33 AM

What a cutie! Our 6 seniors do a pretty good job of letting the younger ones know when they have had enough.Everyone seems to get along.I hope yours does too!
One other thing i forgot to mention,Ty had bad arthritis for years and this past summer we were able to get him to lose a few pounds.We now keep him very lean and he no longer shows ANY signs of even having arthritis! He hasnt needed any medication since.

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 3/8/2007 10:29:32 AM

Thank you, nyiceprincess, I agree about the weight. This guy is 50 pounds, I think he could stand to lose a few. I don't think he was getting out much for walks at his home and he does get out at the humane society but probably not as much or as long as he should. Plus, walking does help the arthritis so maybe getting nice, longer walks a few times a day would help the arthritis. Yeah, I really hope they get along. Monty has a habit of humping dogs and I'm afraid of him trying to hump this guy and hurting him and having the older guy bite him out of pain. We'll just see how it goes. I'm very excited though.

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 3/8/2007 4:25:24 PM

Also, are there dog foods out there designed for older, arthritic dogs? I know Eagle Pack has a senior dog food with glucosamine in it.

Shelby

Posted : 3/8/2007 5:56:11 PM

He's a great looking old guy [

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