Arthritis advice please

[bambi]

Hello everyone this is my first post.

I am looking for some advice, I have an 8 year old greyhound (9 next week). I have had him for 4 years but in the last year his health has begun to wane. He was retired from racing due to a wrist break it's always played him up but mainly in winter time. Recently though he has begun to yelp with pain most days, he walks with a constant limp and doesn't seem to be able to  find a comfortable position no matter where he tries to lay. He no longer can walk far and has began to come a little incontinent of urine.

I have booked him in with the vets but what treatment do you think they may recommend?

He has began losing claws that are growing back crumbly I have suggested auto immune deficiency to the vet but they didn't seem that concerned.

I am worried about him as he just seems so old and tired now, his quality of life is being affected and I'm wondering if we should be preparing for saying goodbye :-(

Hopefully I am over reacting and it will be easily solved.

[suethejam]

9 is by no means old, but it is an age where I start to look out for trouble and you're wise to keep in touch with the vet.

But don't give up yet - you'd be amazed at how pain can drag a dog down, and how much they perk up once it's treated (whatever the cause). We've been through this many times and have thought "that's it" then a few doses of anti-inflammatory later we're looking at a new dog!

There are lots of treatments for arthritis - anti-inflammatories and other painkillers initially, then maybe a muscle relaxant to help stop muscles from tensing around an inflamed joint, the vet might consider steroid or other injections into the affected joint. Then there are the supportive therapies like physiotherapy and/or hydrotherapy which can really help to maintain mobility. Our vet likes to use a technique called "Shockwave" which is like a high-intensity unltrasound which helps to reorganise the scar tissue that sometime forms around inflamed joints. A sensible approach to exercise can also help (no overdoing things and avoiding zoomies - easier said than done once they're out of pain).

You obviously need a diagnosis but maybe ask the vet to treat his pain first, then get the investigations done, but there is hope :-)

[gazza56]

1st off get a vet that know the breed The greyhound sport medicine in brentwood in my mind are second to none and only treat greyhounds (see my last post) our eldest jo who is 11 started suffering from incontinent about 3 years ago the vet prescribed incurin which solves the problem she started on 1 a day which we knocked back to 1 every other day .The arthritis have you tryed cold liver oil tablets we give our 2 one a day which we don t know for sure if it works but they don t have arthritis Our youngest molly who is 10 gets stiff back legs now and then and we share a tin of sardines in tomatoes sauce every other day i believe there is something in tomatoes that can help with stiff joints hope the suggestion work but i think number 1 on the list is a decent vet who knows the breed

[sueb]

Glucosamine is also good for arthritis, I have started to give a mobility supplement to my 2, as Brennan's back legs look a bit stiff on some days.

I have also heard that magnets are good, I have some belts with magnets which I use when my arthritis in my spine is playing up and it does help. I saw an article in a current dog magazine recently about a dog who had a magnetic collar and it made a big difference to them, so will try and find it.


Ps the article is in the current/August edition of "Your dog"

[yvonned]

Hello Bambi, sorry your old boy is having health issues. I agree with Gazza about the Sports medicine vets, they aren't expensive and certainly know the breed. You might like to try Healthspans Flexi Joints for dogs, I've used them for years and although Cass hasn't got any issues at the moment (she's 10 )I have just started giving them to her as a precaution. You can order online 240 tablets for £17 and I give her 3 a day. They contain a high strength pure glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamins C and E, getting the right strength and dose is what works. My friend decided to go for a cheaper version of glucosamine from the chemist for her dog, but after 2 months could see the difference in the dog so went back to using flexi joints. The incontinence could also be pain related. Don't know where you live but I believe there is also another very good greyhound vet Maldon way called Bill Steel. Hope you can get your boy sorted.

[liamandbella]

I would agree Bill Steele is a really good vet he is on site with Clark's farm what he doesn't know about greyhounds is worth knowing

[bambi]

My boy was put to sleep today. Xrays showed advanced inoperable tumours :-(

[greyhoundgran]

What very sad news, I am so sorry. R.I.P. Fred and Lily (Keston Arrow)

[suethejam]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this news - it's at times like this that you find yourself wishing that it had been "just" arthritis :-(

My heart goes out to you all - it's such a difficult time.

Run free at the bridge....

[sueb]

So sorry to hear your news, how very sad.
The lad is now running pain free at Rainbow Bridge and hoping you will soon be comforted by memories.

[patshep]

So sorry to read the sad news about your beloved greyhound. Take comfort that he is no longer in pain and the many happy memories that he leaves you with.

R.I.P. run free at Rainbow Bridge with all your Greyhound pals.

[gazza56]

so very sorry to hear such sad news time is a great healer although it might not seem like it at the moment

[leigh1571]

Very sad news sorry to here that and my thoughts are with you

[pat]

all our thoughts are with you at this very sad time,run free little one
pat

[yvonned]

So very sorry

Yvonne XX