Positive arthritis stories

[Teaandbiscuits16]

Hi all

My almost 8 year old lab x cocker spaniel has been diagnosed with arthritis and HD recently. It progressed very rapidly with him being the active dog he always has been to getting a bit stiff to becoming almost immobile within a matter of 6 weeks.

He’s been put on librela and had two doses now. After the first one he was almost a different dog (not running round) but not struggling to get up or lie down anymore. However, the results have obviously been less significant after the second one. He had it two weeks ago and already seems to be incredibly sore to move again.

We have him on Nutraquin joint supplement and he attends hydrotherapy once a week. He’s lost a vast amount of muscle and his weight is dropping rapidly so the vet ran some bloods last week and other than an ever so slight low thyroid all came back normal.

My heart is breaking seeing him so sore. He can now only manage 2 x 15 min walks a day. He seems so young to be like this. He’s always been so active and healthy and I was convinced he’d be one of those dogs that’d go until he was 15/16 but right now I feel like he’d steadily deteriorate in a matter of months.

I’m just wondering if anyone has any positive stories of similar pooches who have gone on to improve or live fulfilled lives. Thank you if you made it this far 💛

My first dog was diagnosed with arthritis in the elbows at 9. With regular visits to a canine osteopath I was able to continue competing at agility until he was 11 and he didn't need pain relief at any point in his life. He lived until he was 13 and a half.

You can do loads to help and improve the life of a dog with arthritis an to stow its progression.

There are various different combinations of painkillers. If one does not work try others.

Hydro and Physio makes a huge difference to many dogs.

Changing exercise regimes to more frequent by maybe shorter walks. Looking at the terrain the dog woalks on. Looking at more scenting and sniffing and less charging around type walks.

Antinol and Riaflex canine HA are one of the best supplements. Green lipped mussel has been proven to help alongside other supplements that have a bit less scientific evidence but great ancedotal results.

Look at CAM

@Teaandbiscuits16
I'm just wondering how your vet diagnosed osteoarthritis and HD and what they checked for when the bloods were done. It's just from your description, it seems to have come on so fast.
So I could well be on the wrong track here but I have experience of it myself and I just wonder if it could be lymes disease?
That can look like arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis in my case). My symptoms came on really quickly and I could hardly move the affected joints.
I just wonder if it's worth investigating more with this vet or another?
I could well be totally wrong but your post niggled something in me and I thought I should say something just in case.

@redboxer321 I feel the same. It seems like the progression is years worth of arthritis and not a couple of months.
He had x rays which showed arthritis in 3 legs and HD on 1 side. His bloods tested for organ function, thyroid and red and white blood cells. We’re going to be referred to an orthopaedic specialist but I’m also mindful that I want to give hydro a good go first. I’d find this all much easier to accept and handle if we has 12/13 but given he’s only just about to turn 8 it feels too early. I just feel so desperately sad about it 💔

My dog was getting very stiff and could hardly get put of her basket in a morning. My vet recommended Yumove supplement tablets. I was very skeptical, but tge result has been astounding. I give her the Senior one and also a double dose. She is 15 in January and is like a 5 year old now. It's worth a try, if it doesn't help you won't have lost anything.

I'd second the Yumove tablets. We use them on our 11 year old lab. He's like a new dog.

I hope the orthopaedic specialist has some answers for you, @Teaandbiscuits16 I can imagine it must have come as a real shock and must be very difficult.
Re the supplement you're using, I wonder if some green lipped muscle as well could help. I use GLM from Ace Canine. If you contact them, they will be honest with you about if they think it and or other products could help your dog rather just make a sale. They did with me at least.
I hope things improve soon for you and your dog.

Green lipped mussels supplements were good for our old Lab but I don’t think his arthritis was as severe as your dogs. Sorry to hear about that.