Does this sound like arthritis?

[Snooks1971]

Firstly, we will obviously be going to the vet as soon as.

I’ve posted before about our rescue Olde English Bulldogge and her reluctance to walk. Things are progressing well in that way, albeit slowly, with a combination of Atopica and bacon 🥓

She now has stiff, kind of limpy front legs when she gets up after lying down. She’s fine after about a minute and can run around outside, bound upstairs etc.
Her back legs are absolutely fine. Her pads aren’t sore at all and we can handle them without any fuss. She’s approx 4-6 years old and had multiple litters.

We tried a supplement but nothing changed.
Any ideas?
Stressing again that we will take her to the vets but this isn’t an emergency right now. Just asking for opinions/advice.
Thank you!

[Brenna24]

It sounds like arthritis, probably in her elbows. If you phone your vet you should be able to get a telephone consultation and some metacam to try her in to see if it helps.

[Mrsjayy]

Your vet will see you or do an over the phone appointment your dog might benefit some painkillers.

[Snooks1971]

@Brenna24 thank you - I stupidly never thought about phoning the vets for a phone conversation. Have heard of metacam...

[Snooks1971]

@Mrsjayy thanks. I’m going to call them tomorrow. I liken it to when I get out of bed or from sitting for a long period. She’s just got off the sofa from a sleep and is very stiff/limpy in her front legs.
Had a drink then a wee in the garden and now walking normally.
Will call vets tomorrow

[Mrsjayy]

Ah bless her my dog is on this and that for pain and the vet has seen him I hope you get her sorted.

[Snooks1971]

Me too @Mrsjayy we’ve had her since last year and she has had one problem after another. She’s amazing and loved to bits by us all though

[UnfinishedSymphon]

Our dog has arthritis and bad elbows, hips and knees, she's on Yumove and it's been her saviour- no other meds

[villainousbroodmare]

She's probably quite heavy, even if not fat, and those bully breeds tend to carry most their weight in front. So reducing her weight till she is really lean will help a lot.

[Snooks1971]

@UnfinishedSymphon that’s weird, DH gets adverts for Yumove on his FB. We’ve tried HealthSpan Flexi-Joints but they didn’t help. I will look this up further tomorrow - and thanks 😊

[Snooks1971]

@villainousbroodmare yep I think that doesn’t help, she was quite underweight when we adopted her (various issues, we fostered her first).
Now she looks like a scrum half for Wigan and because she can now have treats her Z/D Hills diet is reduced. Plus she wouldn’t walk for a couple of months (my other thread).
She’s a work in progress

[Mrsjayy]

Yumove gave my dog the runs

[Snooks1971]

@Mrsjayy the Healthspan Flexi Joints did the same for a few days.. will see what the vet says 👍🏼
Thank you all

[Scattyhattie]

It does seem likely if struggling to get up with some stiffness & dogs are stoic with chronic pain so signs be very subtle.

Its better to trial medication which will give much quicker pain relief and has been proven in trials to work. Supplements can take months to have an effect (if any) plus are some dodgy companies about as its not medicine they don't have to prove active ingredient contents or back up claims.

If choice between supplements and spending money on complimentary treatment like physiotherapy or hydrotherapy I'd opt for those as have seen much better results.

With all treatments & supplements have to be aware of caregiver placebo where we see some improvement because we want to & in fact dog is still in discomfort.

CAM provide a wealth of info
caninearthritis.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis/

[Snooks1971]

@Scattyhattie thanks for your post - really interesting reading. I need to really sit down and read all your links properly which I will do. Really appreciate it.

Rang the vets expecting a phone consultation; fortunately they are offering outdoor initial chats with the owner/pet then they take the animal into the surgery for an exam.
She wouldn’t budge and so the vet examined her in the car park thoroughly and has prescribed Loxicom for a week. Should see if this improves in 3/4 days 🤞🏼🤞🏼

[Mrsjayy]

Your dog sounds a stubborn madame bless her glad you got seen I hope her meds help her.

[Snooks1971]

Thanks @Mrsjayy yes she is one stubborn lady! Usually DH breaks his back carrying her into the vets but he is really busy wfh and I have a dodgy back. We are reviewing meds in a week x