Arthritic Labrador /Torn Cruciate

[Suzi888]

Looking for some advice on pain relief please.

My dog has arthritis and a torn cruciate (knee). He’s age 11 and due to other health issues a TPLO (operation to repair the knee) has not been recommended.

He’s had the operation on his other rear leg, which although he’s fully recovered from the procedure was difficult.
He takes Galliprant.
He suffers with his bowels so cannot take Yumove or Metacam. He’s been assessed by two vets from different practices who both agree he still seems very happy, plays and has a good quality of life with us.

The vet has suggested Pardale tablets, does anyone else have an elderly arthritic dog and if so, what medication are they on?
Thank you

Mine has had his first librela injection, some improvement seen but apparently it really kicks in after the second one. He’s on gabapentin at bedtime- was on this during the day as well but it made him really wobbly and unstable. Also tried tramadol but frankly he was high as a kite.

Should have said, he’s 18 so the vet won’t prescribe nsaids.

I don’t currently...

But I had a dog on pardale for about 4 years because he couldn’t have NSAIDs. We tried Anantadine with it too, he was on gabapentin and tramadol on and off and we did laser therapy.

he had elbow dysplasia and a spinal issue.

Thank you both.
I was hoping for something a bit stronger than paracetamol (pardale, believe it’s the equivalent and can’t see it having much affect). At the same time I don’t want him sleeping all the time. I’ll look at the medications you mention.

He had Gabapentin when he first tore the knee, but he mostly slept all the time which was fine for a few weeks as the knee healed as much as it could.
He’s had laser therapy, didn’t seem to do much for him.
I’ve heard very good things about the injection Librela, I’m just a little worried about his tummy reacting, he’s up all night when it happens and that would be very hard on him.

Mine hasn’t had any side effects from the injection. He does have a sensitive tum as he’s got older (quite a restricted diet now) but nothing relating to the librela.

Good to know @SockFluffInTheBath thank you.

We had an elderly lab, and both of her cruciates went. Just like yours, she didn't tolerate Metacam but the Pardale was brilliant. She also had a course of Cartrophen which seemed to help - it was 4 weekly injections that she had and lasted for 6 months. She had extensive crate rest each tear, then lead walks and as she got older, she just pottered around the garden. She was just happy as long as she was around us and lived to 13.

Pardale is doggie co codamol btw so way more effective than paracetamol alone.

Librella works really well in a lot of dogs (although it is variable - less effective in others) and doesn’t have specific tummy side effects - it’s a completely different method of action to conventional arthritis drugs. I would give consider giving it a try. There is a tiny chance of transient vomiting or going off food if he were to have an allergy type reaction to it but it’s very rare and that can happen with anything really.

the pardale isn’t licensed for long term use but is frequently used in this way without problems.

is your dog a healthy body condition? studies have shown that even losing moderate amounts of weight can do as much as being on an nsaid. Adapting environments to avoid having to jump into cars, up stairs or slippy floors can make a huge difference. hydrotherapy, physio and acupuncture can often help too.

Pardale has codeine in it as well as paracetamol - it’s just at dog levels instead of human ones.

Thanks all. We’ve got the Pardale today, vet was happy to prescribe it without seeing him as he recently had bloods etc. Is it likely to make him constipated if it has codeine in it? He’s been prescribed 4 tablets a day.
Mentioned the Librella, obviously he will need to go to the vet for that. We’ll see how he goes on Pardale and consider the injection at his next review. Our nearest hydrotherapy is a good distance away, not too sure he’s that comfy in the car- despite the orthopaedic dog bed I’ve put in.
He gets lifted in to the car, walks are limited to ten minutes of pottering about really, extra large rugs in the living room and runners elsewhere, which he seems to have realised provide more stability as he avoids the tiles/wooden floors completely.
@Hortensiateapot he’s not in the best condition weight wise to be honest, he doesn’t have treats, but he had a TPLO when he was 5/6 so arthritis set in then. Exercise was hard and now virtually impossible.
The vet said he’s a jolly dog and hopefully he will get to 13, he’s 11 now so fingers crossed.

It never caused any issues with mine with constipation... it’s not really strong, about the same strength as over the counter stuff for humans. in fact you can order it online without a prescription. (I did that after his insurance stopped paying out)

if you can get some weight off him it will make a difference - if he’s not getting treats and stuff it should be relatively easy to do, just feed him less. Work out what he should be on for a better weight and feed him that amount, if it’s a huge difference in food, do halfway first and then lower it again when he stops losing. Wet food is less dense than dry if that helps any, as in they get a bigger meal for the same calories if you swap some out for wet food.

Mine has been on cimalgex, which has been good. But on her check up the vet recommended an injection instead - it would help if I could remember exactly what it is, but I can’t (helpful) - after 2 weeks it has made such a difference. She’s actually done a bit of gambolling like a puppy. She’s 12. It’s monthly and expensive, £60, but it has made such a difference.

anyway, there are things that can be done so don’t give up hope.

He has Galliprant too and that’s around £60 a month, so the Pardale is on top. Im hoping the two combined may help. Not heard of Cimalgex, I’ll see how he goes for a week or so
and mention these things to the vet.
He has a lump in his armpit too which they think is just fat, but it’s large. Hope it’s nothing sinister. I think I’ll be taking him in again for a once over soon.
Never ends when they get older does it😞

Mine has armpit fat as well. And calloused elbows. And lots of warty growths round his head and neck. And really really bad wind. Joys of old dogs 😁 we’re over £300 this month at the vet…

Sorry that wasn’t supposed to sound like competition, just empathising!

@SockFluffInTheBath 😂Your comment made me smile lol DH always says ‘wonder what we’ll find this week’ (growing on the dog’! ) They are definitely money pits as they get older. Have to laugh or we’d cry!