5 year old with lots of arthritis / any experience ?

[Hopingforblueskies]

So my lovely 5 year old lab has just been diagnosed after x rays with arthritis in his elbow (which we expected and knew about as he had a bone fragment removed when he was young) he now though has his diagnosis confirmed that he had it in his other should and outside and inside toes on both feet
we are waiting to see an orpthopaedic vet about what to do next - it’s chronic so no cure but looking to manage it and limit any pain
he has monthly librella injections has been in yu move Senior for last couple of years and is now on a painkiller daily
the possible option is keyhole surgery to remove the bone fragments in his toes but it’s likely that when these are removed they’ll then reform so not sure viability of this
he doesn’t seem uncomfortable when walking but licks his paws a Lot and won’t let you near them
He’s on 2 short flat walks
I would do anything for my boy and wonder if anyone has any experience of these kinds of treatments
we keep him trim

I have no experience but just wanted to say that's such bad luck for you and your DDog.

Know some have looked at stem cell as option but have look at cams website

Look at

Canine Arthritis Management

They will tell you all you need to know.

I would also look at changing from Yumove to Riaflex Canine joint plue and green lipped mussel

joint plus!

Thanks
he’s taken a turn for the worse today we came down and he couldn’t get up on his own when we got him up he could t lot his leg down with any weight on it - it’s the one he had elbow op on

went to emergency vet and he looked and could see that elbow really swollen he is not on enemy more painkillers and he’s not really eating and he hasn’t had a wee or poo all day
I’m worried sick
need to get a sooner appt at orphopaedic vets so calling first thing
its breaking my heart

Oh how worrying for you

Is he on the following, as well as Librela?:

1). A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, e.g. Metacam, Rimadyl, etc? Maximum daily dose for his weight?

2). Pardale (the licensed version of paracetamol and codeine for dogs?

3). Amantadine - strengthens the effects of non-steroidal AIF?

See the above-mentioned website (Canine Arthritis Management) - more details on there. If already on these, other drugs can be included in regime to manage his pain. You could ask your vets to have an online pain management consultation with Zero Pain Philosophy. They are veterinary experts in pain management. You pay a fee, your vet consults with them specifically about your dog, and they help devise a personalised pain management regime.

There may also be scope to increase to the next Librela vial size. Your vet can discuss with the manufacturers if unsure about this.

(I'm a vet).

Can he have methadone at the emergency vets? Sounds like he needs a strong painkiller at the moment. And also go on a drip if not eating well. I'd call them back to be re-seen.

@Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
thks for your sdvice
he has had a wee now, relieved about that we helped him outside
he’s had a bit of chicken hand fed to him and he ate at the vets too but no water yet
his previous regime has been yu move plus x 3 a day (hes 31kg) monthly librella and daily 227mg prevacox (started about a month ago ) today he’s been given gabapentin 400mg x3 times a day - he’s just had his second one
he's zonked out now

I’m ringing orphopaedic specialist first thing to see if they can see him soon that early November

Okay, sounds like you have a fair few pain relief options left to add in. If he doesn't start drinking well by tomorrow morning, I'd advise ringing your usual vet first thing. He may need admitting for extra pain relief +/- intravenous fluids. You have to be very cautious giving Previcox if he isn't drinking enough.

One month on Previcox is a relatively short time - results may improve as time goes on and pain pathways are modified. Definitely good to bring orthopaedic appt forward if possible, but do also consider expert help on pain management if nothing surgical is an option. Good luck.

Thanks @Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
hoping he’ll be brighter tomorrow 🤞

@Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Is stem cell treatment ever considered ? Of course I’ve been Googling like crazy

My 4 yr old Labrador has terrible arthritis. He was on a cocktail of prescription meds including Librela/metacam/gabapentin and pardale. The side effects were awful. I started him on CBD products, and he's the most sound and pain free he's ever been. He's completely off of all other medications.

@Justmemyselfandi999 thats very interesting do you mind me asking where the arthritis was ? How do you administer the cbd? What side effects were you getting out of interest?
glad to hear he’s in a good place with his pain ?

My lads arthritis is in his elbow, he had significant surgery at a very young age, and there was advanced arthritis present before he was even a year old.
The Librela caused numerous urinary issues, likely related to the increased thirst and water consumption. My dog was also incredibly itchy whilst receiving Librela.
The CBD is from CBD Brothers, and my lad has it on his food twice daily.

Stem cell therapy is definitely used, but I have no experience of it myself. Definitely ask the orthopaedic vet for more info though.

It's very unusual in my experience to see side effects with Librela, for any other MNers that are considering its use.

@Justmemyselfandi999 thanks my boy had an op on his elbow at 1 as well and now x rays have shown it in his other shoulder and both paws - this severe lameness though came out of nowhere today but his elbow looks visibly really swollen
@Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I’m going to ask the specialist for all options and hope to avoid really invasive surgery if i can
Can’t bear seeing him so sad and immobile- he’s normally such a happy boy

Update - took him back to vet this morning as although he’s eaten a little - cheese and carrots ! He hadn’t drink anything
this morning his whole leg was swollen not just the elbow
he did have a wee and pop which was good this morning
the vet was surprised at the swelling and thinks the arthritis might be a red herring and it could be cellulitis as he now has a raised temp from yesterday so being treated with antibiotics and going back tomorrow to recheck
if it’s still swollen will have an x ray to rule out. Arthritic fracture
so worried but almost hoping it’s not the arthritis as he was managing every day very well up to this
Thanks for all your help so far it means a lot

Hope the vet is right and your DDog responds well

Thanks @SiouxsieSiouxStiletto He’s been much brighter since anti biotics and has eaten and now drunk not he’s down in the dumst
the swelling and limping is still really bad though
we’ll see what vet says tomorrow

No, that doesn't sound like arthritis at all. Glad he seems to be responding to the antibiotics 😊

He does seem to be improving so fingers crossed that he's a bit better today