Arthritis

[zippitydoda]

My dog is approaching six. The last couple of weeks she does occasional limping on a back leg, she is happy for us to rub it, no sign of pain, although must be something if she is limping. It's often worse after sleeping.

I'm thinking prime time for arthritis but her insurance is already nearly £100 per month, so I don't want to go down the vet route if avoidable. She's very healthy, just a couple of visits for eye infections. She's a brachycephalic breed, so can be prone to these.

Has anybody got any tips, alternative treatments? Thank you.

One of mine has arthritis. She's 10. She has an injection every 5 weeks. £60 (including the vet visit).

I've informed the insurance company of the condition, but I have never claimed for anything related to her arthritis on her insurance - I just dutifully fork out the £60 every five weeks for her. Her insurance hasn't really gone up since I told them tbh!

She also get fish oil - but tbh it makes her breath smell and I'm not entirely convinced it's actually doing anything.

Dogs are very good at masking their pain, so just because your dog isn't showing any obvious signs and is happy for you to touch her, doesn't mean she's not in pain. Mine started off limping with hers, happy to let me touch her etc, but that doesn't mean she wasn't hurting. I'd take your dog to the vet, just for peace of mind.

She needs to see a vet. It could be anything from a sure paw to a damaged cruciate. Arthritis is rare that bad at that age with a small breed.

I had a husky who developed what I believed to be arthritis in a back leg around 6 yrs old. I started giving her cod liver oil & evening primrose capsules. After a month she was a different dog.
She lived to 14.5 & never had arthritic symptoms again.
I can't take cod liver oil so use glucosamine sulphate.
I know rosehip oil has the same effect as cod liver oil & glucosamine in humans. Not sure if safe for dogs though.

If it is persistent you really need to see a vet to get it properly diagnosed.
My dog was diagnosed with arthritis at 6, he had been hiding it really quite well other than an occasional limp.
He now has a librella injection every six weeks and it's like having a new dog.
A neighbour also started his jack Russel on librella a month and a half ago. The difference when I see him out walking now is incredible. It really is a wonder drug.