My dog has arthritis

[ThatchersCold]

My jack Russell x has had arthritis for a couple of years (he’s 14), but it’s not affected him too badly until recently. Now he seems to be going downhill really fast with it, can only manage short walks, and often stumbles or falls. He struggles to jump onto the bed/sofa or into the car now, though he still manages it after a few goes.

I started giving him Yumove tablets a couple of weeks ago, but haven’t really noticed a difference yet. I also got him a magnetic collar, but only put it on him once as it seemed to make him go a bit funny in the head, maybe it was too strong?

I hate to see him suffering, please hit me up with suggestions to make him more comfortable. In his head he is still a puppy but his body is telling a different story.

Why don't you take him to the vet? Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Possibly x rays. Possibly Cartrophen injections. Possibly diet/ weight loss if he's overweight.

I am going to take him to the vets, have literally been stony broke the last couple of weeks (my financial circumstances have recently changed for the worse). I am going to make an appointment for him this week so I can at least find out what I will be looking At in terms of costs.

You can tell the vet exactly that too. I'm a vet and if someone told me that they were genuinely concerned for their animal but on a very tight budget, I'd really do my best to do things inexpensively. Lucky you have a JRT and not a Great Dane, as medication will be much less expensive. Good luck.

How about trying turmeric paste? I'm not always one for homeopathic treatment but seems to help our oldest quite a bit.

Thanks villainous, I will tell them that and see what they say. I’ve had him since a pup and he means the world to me, so I’ll find a way to pay for what he needs.

Will have a look into turmeric paste, he is ridiculously fussy when it comes to food (won’t even entertain the idea of eating dog food so I have to cook him chicken every day!). Chances are he will turn his nose up at it if I add anything to his food but could try it and see.

Has he already had X-rays to confirm arthritis? I know you say money is tight but arthritis isn’t hugely costly to treat, it will be the cost of a check up and a prescription for an anti inflammatory, about £20. Do you get tax credits?

I had some success with a dog massage therapist, but obviously that costs a bit, hydrotherapy is also beneficial to dogs with arthritis. You say your dog is a fussy eater but I hope he eats more than just chicken as it is not a nutritionally sound diet, it lacks a lot and won't help arthritis symptoms. Would he eat fish as that is good for joint health.

No he’s never had X-rays, last time he was at the vets was in the summer and they didn’t seem concerned about his arthritis then. He seems to have gradually got worse over the winter.

He started just having chicken on the vet’s advice because he has skin allergies and also gets the trots. She said cut everything out for a while and just give him chicken, but then he refused point blank to eat any kind of wet dog food. He does also have kibble (good quality) and again is very fussy about which ones he will eat. He doesn’t eat it every day though, although it’s always in his bowl if he wants it, it’s probably more like 2 or 3 Times a week.

I do get tax credits yes.

If you receive tax credits you’re eligible for reduced cost treatment which is 30% cheaper than private. I actually think it’s even cheaper as I paid £14 a weeks worth of antibiotics and 2months of painkillers

Sorry PDSA reduced cost treatment.

Unfortunately the PDSA don’t cover the area I live in.

Ive just started my dog n Yumove a week ago following a thread I put on here. It does say it has a "loading period" of 4-6 wks that you should give the dog double dosage, so I think you won't see instant results.

Can you put a fleece coat on him at night and waterproof coats on when out for walks (ans keep them short walks)? It's been a cold, damp winter, which doesn't help arthiritis...

Thanks honeyroar, mine started taking Yumove around 2.5 weeks ago. I was hoping to see an immediate improvement but it didn’t seem to be doing a lot. But this week, all of a sudden, he’s got his mojo back. Seems a lot happier in himself and can jump into the car and onto the bed/sofa easily again. I took him on a fairly long walk a few weeks ago (pre Yumove) and he really struggled, was limping by about half way round and really stiff and hobbling for hours afterwards. Tried the same walk again today and he trotted around happily, was chasing after sticks, then got home and jumped up onto my bed for a cuddle! No stiffness or apparent discomfort at all. Hoping that the improvement continues.

He has a fleece which he wears in the car, our house is always really warm so he’s fine at home. He does have a waterproof coat but for some reason refuses to do a poo if he’s wearing it, so I tend to just avoid rainy times as much as possible for walks!

I can’t rcommend GWF Joint Aid for dogs enough. I had an old girl, who struggled to walk and enjoy life (she was 14 at the time). I was recommended it by someone I met on a dog walk, and thought I’d give it a go. Within no time, she was actually running like a puppy! Admittedly, only for short distances, but it was amazing to see, she was like a different dog! Her general walking and mobility improved and her eyes brightened up, and she lived for a further 2 years which I did not expect. You sprinkle it on top of their food.

A couple of years ago, my old Labrador was unable to walk because of arthritis and I really thought it was the end. However, after a few days of Metacam ( like voltarol for dogs) she was trotting around as normal. She is now 14, her dose has increased but not at the maximum yet. She also had glucosamine but I don't know if that makes any difference.
She's in good condition for her age but if she hadn't been able to walk every day, I'm sure she would have deteriorated much more. Because she's big, it's quite expensive, so good you've got a little one!

There are heaps of things you can do to help. Consider your home environment, slippery floors, coping with stairs, getting a decent supportive bed, modifying exercise, making sure your dog is of a good weight etc are all things that can be managed for very little financial outlay. Managing with vet prescribed meds, considering complementary therapies such as hydro, massage, acupuncture, looking at supplements are also management strategies.

I don't want people to think I am spamming, as I have posted this before but Google canine arthritis management, or look them up on Facebook. They have a very resourceful website.

Supplements are a minefield. They aren't regulated and the manufacturers do not have to produce clinical data to support their claims. Some possibly do help, but the key is to introduce one thing at a time and give it a decent amount of time (6 weeks or so) to work before deciding whether it is helping your dog or not. This means you also need to understand and recognise your dogs pain indicators: What doesn't he do that he used to do? Can he poo in just one spot for example, or does he leave a trail of small packets? Is he reluctant to go out? Does he seem stiff after waking? Is he avoiding social contact? Have his eating habits changed? Is he chewing his feet? These are all suggestions of things that dogs do to show us they are suffering with pain. By noting them, and seeing if they improve with treatment, you know it is working. There is a proven caregiver placebo effect with supplements too.