Arthritis medication
- Thread starter Jacqui-S
- Start date
Restarting this thread as our vet is suggesting we try Librela with Kipper. One one hand it seems sensible and having read up a fair amount on it (plus the Librela threads here, thanks gang!) it seems low risk and effective for many dogs. On the other hand I'm sad to admit that this is probably a long term thing and here to stay. I've still been hoping that Kipper's lameness may have been something else/something alongside OA, but nothing is emerging and all treatment options are very much along standard OA routes. He's only 4; but as with everything, we don't know how long we have with any of the things we love so it's a case of making the most of what we do have and keeping as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
I'll update on how we find it when we get there - supplies are tricky at the moment (par for the course I think!) so we just wait to hear and continue with current treatment (Onsior, pardale, joint supplements and memantine; hydro, IR and physiotherapy) for now.
I'll update on how we find it when we get there - supplies are tricky at the moment (par for the course I think!) so we just wait to hear and continue with current treatment (Onsior, pardale, joint supplements and memantine; hydro, IR and physiotherapy) for now.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Completely understand as this was/is also my dilemma with Hunter.
He was due another injection this week, but he is getting it next week. He is now back on the painkiller as we can see how stiff he has become.
We still don't over exercise him and use supplements but it is very clear to us this week that Librela really does help him. We just love him to bits, so we concentrate on the "now".
Keep hoping that it could be something else though. You never know! You are doing all the right treatments and knowledge is power for their quality of life. Kipper is a very lucky furbaby to have you for his mama. X
He was due another injection this week, but he is getting it next week. He is now back on the painkiller as we can see how stiff he has become.
We still don't over exercise him and use supplements but it is very clear to us this week that Librela really does help him. We just love him to bits, so we concentrate on the "now".
Keep hoping that it could be something else though. You never know! You are doing all the right treatments and knowledge is power for their quality of life. Kipper is a very lucky furbaby to have you for his mama. X
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Talia has been started on Galliprant today, so we're waiting to see how she does with that. I've asked Natalie to ask her vet about Librela, too, otherwise we'll wait to take her to our vet when we're back.
We’ve just started Kipper on Galliprant, joining his current meds of Pardale, pregabelin and librela as his RF limp has been substantially worse over the last couple of months so we’re down to 5 min on lead walks and minimal sudden activity. It’s miserable, although Kipper’s mood is very good and he’s adapted so beautifully. We’re so proud of him.
I was going through old threads and @Natalie mentioned what a pain it is to give on an empty stomach an hour before food, and this is my biggest complaint at the moment! And Kipper’s, although he doesn’t know it’s the drugs and thinks we’ve forgotten. Fingers crossed we see an improvement
I was going through old threads and @Natalie mentioned what a pain it is to give on an empty stomach an hour before food, and this is my biggest complaint at the moment! And Kipper’s, although he doesn’t know it’s the drugs and thinks we’ve forgotten. Fingers crossed we see an improvement
Last edited:
Galiprant really helped my previous lab Billie with her arthritis, really hope it will do the same for Kipper. Agreed about the hour before food complaint, she used to have her tablet then give me ‘the look’ before wandering back to the kitchen several times over as if saying ‘follow me hooman, I think you’ll find you’ve neglected to make my breakfast again!’ It was a verrrry long hour!
I'm sorry Kipper has taken a turn for the worse @HAH, I know how frustrating and upsetting it can be. To give you some hope though.... we started 2022 a bit miserably with Monty, his worse left elbow which previously used to flare up from time to time turned into a constant limp and he was properly lame. With problems at all four corners, we knew this put more stress on his less-worse joints. We had visited a specialist in autumn 2021, with a view to considering platelet rich plasma treatment, but his refreshingly honest assessment was to leave well alone and concentrate on ongoing pain management and other non-invasive treatments. He said, the one major thing he’d recommend was hydro treadmill treatment, twice a week. (If only
) we were previously doing at least a session a month, but upped it to at least every 2 weeks, and once a week when possible - a balancing of cost and time as our vets in nearly half an hour away. He really wasn’t great through the hot summer, and we did a lot of very short, separate walks from Bear and rested him as we thought appropriate
Our physio vet has now got two dedicated physiotherapists, who are genuinely brilliant. Throughout the summer we added laser and physio / massage sessions before the hydro, and after some separate consultations to review his meds, we saw a genuine improvement in his movement and energy levels from around October.
He now takes:
morning - 1 x paracetamol, 500mg gabapentin, (annoyingly in two separate tablets to make up the 500)
mid-afternoon - 1 x paracetamol, 500mg gabapentin, 100mg Amantadine
5pm - 1 x galliprant
before bed - 1 x paracetamol, 500mg gabapentin
Plus tramadol as and when needed -various concentrates
So, 11 tablets a day plus omega and other supplements in his food! we always remember his morning tablets, but then because we must leave 6-8 hours between the other doses, it can mean a dose occasionally gets forgotten. We always do the galliprant, but I admit sometimes it probably isn’t on an empty stomach, and there’s not always a full hour before his dinner.
While he always has a bit of a limp and is always very stiff when he starts moving, we were able to up his walks through the colder months and by December, he had regular 1 hour walks out with Bear, (though at a much slower pace) which he'd never have managed in the spring or summer. His flexibility and stamina is slightly better than it was a year ago, and at least as good as it was two years ago. He often manages a decent zoomie.
So, hang in there, I do feel for you so much x
) we were previously doing at least a session a month, but upped it to at least every 2 weeks, and once a week when possible - a balancing of cost and time as our vets in nearly half an hour away. He really wasn’t great through the hot summer, and we did a lot of very short, separate walks from Bear and rested him as we thought appropriateOur physio vet has now got two dedicated physiotherapists, who are genuinely brilliant. Throughout the summer we added laser and physio / massage sessions before the hydro, and after some separate consultations to review his meds, we saw a genuine improvement in his movement and energy levels from around October.
He now takes:
morning - 1 x paracetamol, 500mg gabapentin, (annoyingly in two separate tablets to make up the 500)
mid-afternoon - 1 x paracetamol, 500mg gabapentin, 100mg Amantadine
5pm - 1 x galliprant
before bed - 1 x paracetamol, 500mg gabapentin
Plus tramadol as and when needed -various concentrates
So, 11 tablets a day plus omega and other supplements in his food! we always remember his morning tablets, but then because we must leave 6-8 hours between the other doses, it can mean a dose occasionally gets forgotten. We always do the galliprant, but I admit sometimes it probably isn’t on an empty stomach, and there’s not always a full hour before his dinner.
While he always has a bit of a limp and is always very stiff when he starts moving, we were able to up his walks through the colder months and by December, he had regular 1 hour walks out with Bear, (though at a much slower pace) which he'd never have managed in the spring or summer. His flexibility and stamina is slightly better than it was a year ago, and at least as good as it was two years ago. He often manages a decent zoomie.
So, hang in there, I do feel for you so much x
Cor blimey @Natalie , you’re a tonic 
It makes a huge difference hearing this, as well as reading your thoughtful post to @Atemas earlier on mourning the loss of what might have been.
It’s particularly good to hear where you flex (especially on timings and emptiness of stomachs!) and where you don’t, and how the better times can return - it’s not a linear trail and we must remember this!
Your post has given me a boost out of the doldrums, and I’m sure we will find better ways to manage this and adapt as needed. I’m starting to look into fitness training to tide us through the ‘minimal exercise’ times and help generally. I’m sure Kipper would really enjoy this and it will all help overall strength and flexibility.
I’m really pleased you’ve got access to the specialist support team, it can make all the difference can’t it. This is where we’re so fortunate to have our incredible vet-physio with a hydro pool nearby, although she’s massively over-subscribed so every week is a struggle to get an appointment. But it’s worth it! Thanks again, I appreciate it.
It makes a huge difference hearing this, as well as reading your thoughtful post to @Atemas earlier on mourning the loss of what might have been. It’s particularly good to hear where you flex (especially on timings and emptiness of stomachs!) and where you don’t, and how the better times can return - it’s not a linear trail and we must remember this!
Your post has given me a boost out of the doldrums, and I’m sure we will find better ways to manage this and adapt as needed. I’m starting to look into fitness training to tide us through the ‘minimal exercise’ times and help generally. I’m sure Kipper would really enjoy this and it will all help overall strength and flexibility.
I’m really pleased you’ve got access to the specialist support team, it can make all the difference can’t it. This is where we’re so fortunate to have our incredible vet-physio with a hydro pool nearby, although she’s massively over-subscribed so every week is a struggle to get an appointment. But it’s worth it! Thanks again, I appreciate it.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
@
HAH, have you thought of stem cell replacement therapy? I am not sure it has helped Rourke, he is till very lame but he doesn't appear to be in pain which is good. He has half a paracetamol twice a day and Librella once a month and enjoys a three quarter hour walk off the lead now.Cor blimey @Natalie , you’re a tonic
It’s particularly good to hear where you flex (especially on timings and emptiness of stomachs!) and where you don’t, and how the better times can return - it’s not a linear trail and we must remember this!
Your post has given me a boost out of the doldrums, and I’m sure we will find better ways to manage this and adapt as needed. I’m starting to look into fitness training to tide us through the ‘minimal exercise’ times and help generally. I’m sure Kipper would really enjoy this and it will all help overall strength and flexibility.
I’m really pleased you’ve got access to the specialist support team, it can make all the difference can’t it. This is where we’re so fortunate to have our incredible vet-physio with a hydro pool nearby, although she’s massively over-subscribed so every week is a struggle to get an appointment. But it’s worth it! Thanks again, I appreciate it.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
I think the stem cell therapy that we gave Hunter with his young puppy cell harvest definitely helped his first 2 years of life. I remember being initially jealous on this forum of all the long walks everybody seemed to have. Hunter gets a daily one hour walk (joint permitting) and the other 3 are 20 and maybe 30 mins max. Mostly on lead but we try to let him off for a good sniff as long as there are no big dogs about.
Wet cold weather really affects him and one zoomie can mean 3 to 5 days of limping and reduced walking. He is currently only on Novacam with supplements Yumove. Green mussel powder, Golden paste, 8salmon oil and Flexadin. I think galliprant will be next. We stopped with Librela due to the skin reaction. I wish I had a good physio vet close by. The one we used initially left the practice and now a huge company owns it. Sorry @HAH that Kipper is going through a bad patch but glad that @Natalie has helped. Winter is not joint friendly and my idiot loves the wet and mud. Hold in there @HAH and don't worry about the reduced walks as I think they really don't care. I just try to keep it fun and if his tail wags all the time during the walk then it must be good.
Wet cold weather really affects him and one zoomie can mean 3 to 5 days of limping and reduced walking. He is currently only on Novacam with supplements Yumove. Green mussel powder, Golden paste, 8salmon oil and Flexadin. I think galliprant will be next. We stopped with Librela due to the skin reaction. I wish I had a good physio vet close by. The one we used initially left the practice and now a huge company owns it. Sorry @HAH that Kipper is going through a bad patch but glad that @Natalie has helped. Winter is not joint friendly and my idiot loves the wet and mud. Hold in there @HAH and don't worry about the reduced walks as I think they really don't care. I just try to keep it fun and if his tail wags all the time during the walk then it must be good.
At the moment we’re focusing on reducing inflammation and limping, but down the line it’ll definitely be something to consider. I’m really glad Rourke’s pain seems to be under control.
I’m impressed that Hunter gets 4 walks a day! It’s great to hear your experiences, and particularly around how the weather makes a difference. It’s a shame you don’t have a local specialist any more, maybe that’ll change in future. I agree on the walks, it’s a bit heavy weather when we’re so restricted but hopefully we can do a little more before long - and in the meantime we’re doing lots of gentle games at home. Nina Ottosson is popular!
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
Natalie, Harriet, and Lorraine - I had no idea that your pups were struggling so very badly with their joints. They are three very lucky boys to have such dedicated humans looking after them.
Thank you Sophie, that's really kind. It is a b*gger; but we're lucky in so many ways when we're in a position to help them, and I find it's a good sharpener for valuing the simple things x
I think @Loraseal 's post shows how there's no one size fits all. Monty's much better in cold weather not warm, and getting wet or cold doesn't seem to affect him. He seems much more comfortable on softer surfaces - like grass - rather than pavements. He rarely get walked on lead now except where it's unavoidable as he puts his brakes on and refuses to move more than one mile an hour. He only gets one walk a day, but most days he and Bear have a bit of a play around, that seems more than enough for him.
I foregot to mention Librela. He probably had a total of around 16 injections, between 4 and 6 weeks apart. Early on, we thought they definitely made a small difference, then became less sure and could probably only identify 2-3 days after the injection where there might have been an improvement. He now hasn't had a jab since early November, and we've no plans to give him another one.
There were no negative side effects, but taking into account that's it's another £70 each injection, we think that money is better spent on other painkillers. This year we will max out our £4,000 insurance limit with petplan, and nearly all of that will have been spent on laser and drugs. (Amantadine alone costs £110 per month). The hydro we have to fund ourselves, it's quite scary that it costs us at least £3,000 a year just to 'maintain' Monty with these ongoing treatment, on top of the insurance claims
I foregot to mention Librela. He probably had a total of around 16 injections, between 4 and 6 weeks apart. Early on, we thought they definitely made a small difference, then became less sure and could probably only identify 2-3 days after the injection where there might have been an improvement. He now hasn't had a jab since early November, and we've no plans to give him another one.
There were no negative side effects, but taking into account that's it's another £70 each injection, we think that money is better spent on other painkillers. This year we will max out our £4,000 insurance limit with petplan, and nearly all of that will have been spent on laser and drugs. (Amantadine alone costs £110 per month). The hydro we have to fund ourselves, it's quite scary that it costs us at least £3,000 a year just to 'maintain' Monty with these ongoing treatment, on top of the insurance claims
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I have also maxed out Rourke's insurance and have been paying for his treatment myself the last two/three months, Librela is £116 a month, hydro on water treadmill is £37 a fortnight, YU Move is expensive over £100 a pot etc etc etc. My insurance does not come into being again until the end of March!
That yumove sounds expenses what type is it?
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
YU Move extra, can only get it from a vet or if vet doesn't do it, he/she can give permission for the company to sell it. I buy a pot of 125 tabs.
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Next week Finn is due for his yearly health control and vaccinations. I think I will talk to the vet about his medication. His arthritis is getting worse and we see he is in pain. I think she will say to high up the dose of Librela, but I think I want to try something different in addition like NSAID'S or something else like gabapentine? Do you have suggestions what I can suggest?
Here a picture of him where you can clearly see the problem on his front paws....
Here a picture of him where you can clearly see the problem on his front paws....
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Rourke has Librela, YuMove advanced, paracetamol and I held out about adding Gabapentin. Eventually my ex vet's wife said his daughter's dog had been on Gabapentin for three years with no side effects, so I bit the bullet and agreed to Gabapentin. Rourke has two a day, one morning and one late afternoon with his supper. It appears to have made a difference and I wish I had done it before.