Old Dogs with Arthritis

[Sharon]

Thank you. Good excuse to go to Costco.

[Doug]

Joints are not just for humans...

I use BioJoint for my Boxer. https://biologicvet.ca/products/biojoint/ and BioFat https://biologicvet.ca/products/biofats/

Best price I could find in Canada is Costco online only.

[Fenelon]

Meloxocam tablet, once per day with food. Pain killer and anti inflammatory. Doesn't cost much. Recommended by our vet. Makes a huge difference for an old dog with sore hips, elbows. Someone with OCD will pipe up that it's not good for the kidneys or liver, but you have to weigh the options and do what's best to give the old dog some comfort/quality of life. Our friends have a 7 year old yellow Pig-dog (Labrador) that has joint pain remaining after a dose of lyme disease. The melox once per day has turned him back into an active dog once again, with no pain.

[MikePal]

Meloxocam tablet, once per day with food. Pain killer and anti inflammatory. Doesn't cost much. Recommended by our vet. Makes a huge difference for an old dog with sore hips, elbows. Someone with OCD will pipe up that it's not good for the kidneys or liver, but you have to weigh the options and do what's best to give the old dog some comfort/quality of life. Our friends have a 7 year old yellow Pig-dog (Labrador) that has joint pain remaining after a dose of lyme disease. The melox once per day has turned him back into an active dog once again, with no pain.

I agree with this whole heartily. An old dog with arthritis needs a NSAID for relief of pain...not drugs that claim to 'aid' in the repair arthritic joints...same as people.

[Sharon]

Is Meloxocam and Metacam the same drug? Old girl ( the dog , not me), is on Metacam the day she works out.

[be2man]

Every vet recommends you give your dog Glucosine/MSM now...the stuff works wonders on dogs. Seen it with my own eyes time and time again.

If the dog is suffering with the pain, which is hard to tell sometimes because they mask it so well, you might ask about getting him started on Rimadyl (carprofen). Great chewable tablet the dogs like to eat so it's much easier to give than the liquid MetaCam. (and cheaper)

Rimadyl's still a popular drug in the States, less so in Canada as we have more options to chose from. Rimadyl has had some issues with idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions, a lot of them in Labs, being the most popular and most treated breed in North America. These reactions can result in a fatal inflammatory liver disease, frequently enough that they had to list death as a possible side effect in the product info.

"Rimadyl, like other drugs, may cause some side effects.Serious but rare side effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including Rimadyl. Serious side effects can occur with or without warning and in rare situations result in death."

[ebenezer]

I just renewed my prescription for meloxocam. I share it with my 14 yr old lab. A druggist I really trusted told me it would not hurt him. The price of metacam is ridiculous. The last we got was $179.00.

[Sharon]

O kay. Thanks.

[be2man]

Meloxicam is the cheapest now as its available as a generic. Just watch the dose if you're using human tablets. A half tab of the 7.5mg is enough for an 80lb dog. All are meant to be dosed on lean body mass so a lower dose for overweight dogs. Main concern is if there's any pre existing kidney problems this class of drug can make them worse.

[jaycee]

Thanks. Printing off this page. Where do you buy the glucosamine/chondroiten and do you get the Cartrophen Vet from your vet Jaycee?

Cartrophen Vet , at our vets, via injection and the results are noticeable within a day.
Glocosamine/Chondroiten you can buy in tablet form at any Drug or Health food outlet, it on the other has to be taken for at least three months before you see any results, as in humans, it does not always work and in the meantime your pet still suffers with pain.
The Cartrophen Vet isn't cheap but the results are seen quickly and are worth it, our vet often has said , " I wish there was a product like this for us humans "
I myself have tried and been on Glucosamine/Chondroiten previously for over a year and it didn't help one iota, what I found that worked for me and I could feel it's affect within hours, is Turmeric but this should be taken with a pinch of black pepper so your system can absorb it, tastes rather terrible but I find the best way to take it is with a cup of strong tea, [one teaspoon ] it doesn't dissolve so you have to drink it fast as it settles to the bottom.
If you are giving it to your dog, I don't think he will mind the taste if it's mixed with his /her regular food.