Dog with arthritis

[Lilywisp]

I hope I’m posting in most appropriate place but I’m looking for some advice with anyone whose dog shares my problem. She is just over twelve years old and a few months ago started limping and the ‘toes’ on her left paw became misshapen, she was diagnosed with arthritis and put on a painkiller/anti inflammatory called Metacam, unfortunately there was no improvement so I took her back to the vet who changed her prescription to Onsior, which I was told was stronger and would be more effective, again there has been no change, I have been told about a drug called Librella which is injected monthly and is supposed to work really well, however my vet is reluctant to prescribe this as my dog has a heart condition and Librella can cause strokes in such cases. My dog can no longer enjoy even a short walk now so I’m getting desperate for a solution…can anyone advise me please ?

My foster dog has arthritis in all four legs. She has daily Arthrocam, and Gabapentin and Paracetamol three times a day. She also has monthly ketamine injections and acupuncture and sees a physiotherapist for laser treatment.
When she first arrived in foster, she could barely manage my two garden steps, struggled to get on the sofa and could only manage 5 minutes of very slow walking. She's now much more lively. Runs round the garden with my dogs and play wrestles with my puppy. She can only manage 25-30 minutes walks, but she's more active and enjoys them.
The pain specialist we see advised against librella injections, because he said more evidence is coming out about harmful side effects.

If your dogs toes are still curled you can get boots for them to wear which might help.
I hope you find something that will help.

I would ask for a referral to a canine physio. My lovely boy had a deformed foot and arthritis. The physio did a lot of research and was able to find a ‘boot’ which helped maintain his foot shape, at least for a while. He had various types of therapy as well.

The foot splay can become very painful as they end up walking on bones rather than pads.

He could not tolerate Gabapentin, and after we exhausted the metacam, Pardale etc, we did use Librela. There were no noticeable side effects and he lived to 14 but I would be in no rush to give it to my girl as she ages, as so much is unknown.

If your on FB, look up Hollys Army, it’s run by a vet in honour of her old collie Holly

Great resources and support

She (the vet) also runs Canine Arthritis Management (check out their website for again fantastic advice and tools)

For your dog right now? I’d ask for referral to physio, or hydro. There’s so much that can be done to help

Ref Librella, there’s lot of ongoing stuff relating to (not very nice) side effect's and the efficacy of the clinical trials run by Zoetis. But lots of people swear by it. So do some research of your own and speak to your vet before going that route

Good luck for you and your girl 🩷

Definitely go back to your vet. My dog is pretty limited on what painkillers he can have because of other medication - but there's various options out there. I'd also echo other peoples comments re physio or therapeutic massage - that really helps my dog.

Is the dog knuckling?
My Lab was 12 when he began Librela, he only managed the garden in his latter years.
Librela is a last chance saloon drug imo but with a heart condition I don’t know if I would risk it. There’s a Facebook group for Libela, mostly American I’m wondering if they give larger shots (I don’t know). If I had it in your circumstances I’d want a vet on 24 hour call as it can end badly. There’s a lot of law suits.

What about Cartrophen, Gabapentin or stem cell?

My Lab had 3 human paracetamol, Gabapentin, galliprant and Librela. I let him go at 14, sometimes I think we keep them a little too long.

Oh, so sorry to read this.

My dog has advanced elbow arthritis and has had three arthroscopies, two PRP injections into the joints, is on daily Firodyl, gabapentine, and Tramadol (now upped to twice daily). Weekly laser physio and hydrotherapy, and monthly Librella. After keeping stable for many months, she has deteriorated this last week and can now barely make it across the road into the park.

The Librella in particular really seemed to help her up until very recently, now it seems to improve things for just a few days yet you can’t take it more often than once monthly. Despite some misgivings about possible side effects I prefer the risk to seeing her unable to leave the house and disinterested in food. I figure she’s deteriorating so fast now, that I’m throwing everything at it for her comfort, that is my priority.

She visibly benefited from the laser and hydrotherapy too… but now I’m thinking she may be too far gone 😢to continue

Watching with interest as as DDog 13 had her first injection of Librela On Friday. She been on arthrocam and amantadine but has got progressively worse. DD said she can see a small improvement .

Also, really sorry for everyone going through this with their dogs… my trainer said it’s privilege to watch them get old, but I thought to myself, “no it’s not. It’s fucking shit”
Love to all the gorgeous puppies 🩷

So sorry to hear about your girl, it’s horrible seeing them in pain. My old boy had arthritis too, we tried Metacam and Onsior same as you and honestly didn’t see much difference either. Heard lots of good things about Librella but like you said if theres heart issues vets can be careful with it.

Maybe ask about hydrotherapy or physio? We did hydro with mine and it actually helped him loosen up a bit, even if only for short while. Some people also swear by joint supplements like glucosamine or green lipped mussel, omega oils etc, worth a try even if results can be mixed.

If your vet isn’t keen on Librella maybe get a 2nd opinion from a specialist. Sometimes they can balance things better when there’s more than one health problem going on.

Also little things help, soft bedding, ramps instead of steps, keeping them warm in winter. Every bit makes them more comfy.

Hope you find something that works for her, sending love ❤️

We have ramps for her to get onto the sofa and into the car. Plus raised food and water bowls, so she doesn't lean forward and put pressure on her front joints.

My old boy has arthritis and is limited on what he can have as he is on steroids long term for an autoimmune condition. He is currently managing on monthly ketamine, Parvale 3 times a day and acupuncture monthly. He has carpal laxity and finds it more comfortable with 3 layer bandage support on which I do daily. If walking on hard surfaces then he wears boots which cushion his feet which also helps

Genius! We have the ramps, but had not thought of the raised water and food bowls. Thank you!

You're welcome. 😊 It was the first thing the physio told me to do. I bought mine off Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09JW2FQQQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Thanks again. Have ordered, using cardboard boxes in the interim

what about early on set arthritis, my dog is only 1.5 years old. was prescribed anti inflammatory and pain meds but it seems to be getting worse. the vet has suggested injecting cells or something.

I just worry about her being so young, does anyone have any experience?

Thank you very much for the helpful responses, it has given me food for thought. I would appreciate it, however, if people would start a new thread for their own individual queries.

I shared my experiences with my 11yr old dog who has arthritis in both forelimbs. I’m sorry if it felt like I was taking over your thread.

I think what has come out on this thread is that there are many other possible medical routes to go down (see your vet/get a second opinion) and also that hydrotherapy and laser is very helpful.

@hepsitemiz I think the comment was aimed at the poster who asked about their own young dog, rather than those of us who shared what treatments have helped our older dogs.

@SpanielsGalore…thank you you’re right.

I've had excellent results with supplements from Vince the Vet. I didn't really believe in supplements and I only tried them because metacam and onsior had both stopped working, and the vet wanted to have a week without any medication before trying something else. The difference within the week was so marked that we've never needed to go back to drugs. Doggo is 14 and obviously less active than she used to be, but she still enjoys pootling about and asks to come out, whereas before she was often reluctant. Friends said she was like a different dog. You have nothing to lose by giving them a try and you might be as surprised as I was.

@hepsitemiz…please don’t think I was referring to you as I realty appreciated your input, no there was a comment on this thread about someone else’s dog which bore no relevance to my dog!s issue whatsoever, it happens a lot on MN and annoys me, some people seem unable or unwilling to raise their own topic and instead jump on someone else’s thread to introduce their own agenda.

Thanks for clarifying, @Lilywispand @SpanielsGalore. It’s very sad when our beloved animals start to struggle, isn’t it?

I know it works for some but we tried Librela for mild arthritis in back legs and had horrible side effects - laboured breathing, urinary incontinence, back legs collapsing, pacing in circles, elevated kidney disease markers. She has partially recovered and after 4 months kidney levels back to normal range. We now see a holistic vet and are having good results with nutritional supplements.

Ddog had her first injection on the 15 th due to the improvement she’s no longer on arthtocam . She’s stopped falling over and has also managed a walk.
Hope this helps and you find a treatment that helps your DDog

You can use plant pots if your dog is of average size.