Harley’s health journey

[Naya]

I thought I would write up about Harley’s arthritis and ways we are managing it, as well as the ups and downs we have over time. Hopefully it will be of help to someone.
Harley got diagnosed with arthritis in her front left paw, along with abnormal bone growth on that paw. Due to this, she limps quite often and sometimes looks like her head is nodding when she walks.
Since the diagnosis just over a month ago, we have changed her diet and she has lost 1.3kg. She now has raw mince (including bone) for breakfast, white fish and lots of veg for tea, and only dried fish skins or cubes or fruit for snacks. She still has 1 frozen per day which has natural yoghurt and fruit in. We put her on Green lipped mussel and tumeric supplements and I do feel that they are helping as her limping is reducing.
This morning she was limping quite a bit which was my fault for letting her play a bit much yesterday. This afternoon she had hydrotherapy and really enjoyed it. She walked brilliantly in the ‘chamber’ and seemed to enjoy it. Tonight we are chilling and unfortunately she isn’t getting her evening walk, even though she keeps giving me ‘the look’. We are booked in for the next 5 weeks on a Friday then will be reassessed by the physio. This afternoon they said that after this we should be moving to the pool.
Just a few pics from this afternoon at hydro.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Congratulations on the weight loss! She looks so happy doing her hydrotherapy, what a sweetie.

How much of the green lipped muscle powder do you give? I give it to Carbon and toss in about a teaspoon a day but don't really know what I'm doing. It would be helpful to know how much you're giving to Harley for comparison.

 

[Naya]

@Emily_Babbelhund i purchased them both in capsule format as I’m rubbish at knowing how much to give. She has 2 capsules of both each day.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

@Emily_Babbelhund i purchased them both in capsule format as I’m rubbish at knowing how much to give. She has 2 capsules of both each day.

I think that's smart - I'm rubbish at knowing how much to give too!

 

[Beanwood]

Benson loves the underwater treadmill! Apparently 20mins is equivalent to walking for an hour on lead, without the pressure on his joints. Are the bone growths spurs? Benson had those...but they have disappeared! He has physio, treadmill, cold laser, acupuncture and catastrophe. Supplements are Yumove plus. From Lintbells they often have really good discounts...contains good quality green lipped mussel) Turmeric Paste, I buy this direct, and mix into kongs x 4 times a day as it has a short half life. I miss meals probably 3/4 times a week, they have lightly packed kongs with fresh food and veggies. Salmon oil. Phew!!!

 

[Naya]

Benson loves the underwater treadmill! Apparently 20mins is equivalent to walking for an hour on lead, without the pressure on his joints. Are the bone growths spurs? Benson had those...but they have disappeared! He has physio, treadmill, cold laser, acupuncture and catastrophe. Supplements are Yumove plus. From Lintbells they often have really good discounts...contains good quality green lipped mussel) Turmeric Paste, I buy this direct, and mix into kongs x 4 times a day as it has a short half life. I miss meals probably 3/4 times a week, they have lightly packed kongs with fresh food and veggies. Salmon oil. Phew!!!

The bone growths are a bit strange and look like lumps on the side of her paw. I will ask the vet what the actual name he called them.
Harley still has massage every 4-5 weeks which she loves. I don’t think she would stay still for acupuncture though! She has had laser treatment with the physio, but that will only be about every 6 weeks when we see her. What is catastrophe?
Harley can’t have Yumove as they made her really poorly, but they are supposed to be really good. I never thought about Salmon oil.....what does that help with? I thought it was skin/coat?

 

[Beanwood]

Catastrophe???? What was I thinking? I meant Cartrophen .....

 

[Cath]

She does look happy in the water chamber.

 

[Mr Beanwood]

I'm sorry to hear Harley isn't on top form. Hopefully she'll make some improvements with the treatment you're helping her with.

BTW, I'm sure the definition of Catastrophe in Wikipedia would involve Benson after he's been left alone for 5 minutes!!

 

[Naya]

Catastrophe???? What was I thinking? I meant Cartrophen .....

 

[M.F.]

Thank you for writing this up. It is very helpful, esp given Snowie’s situation. Was the change in diet for weight loss or for improved nutrition? Snowie has always had raw meat and bones, but he now gets a chicken foot for breakfast and supper because of the high chondroitin content (apparently). I stopped feeding chicken years ago, trying to get his itchiness under control. The feet don’t seem to cause itchiness now. I don’t feed fish as he seems to get very itchy from it. Once in a while I give him tinned pilchards for the omegas. Omega 3 (salmon oil) is shown to reduce inflammation. But the itchiness is too much to bear so I no longer give any fish oil capsules. He also gets turmeric paste (I make my own from organic turmeric powder), I take it, too!

 

[Cupcase]

Everyone has different opinions on what works for their dog. Yours is similar to how I treat Cassie arthritis. I used yumove but it's expensive for what it is. I added turmeric to her diet diy, the Green lipped mussel is cheaper if the word dog is not written on it, it's the same stuff for humans.
I would never give fish oils in any form. Fish oils go rancid very quickly and if they're in capsules you have no way of knowing.
Cassie is old Harley isn't, I understand that but don't feel guilty about occasionally allowing Harley extra playing, look at my avitar, this is Cassie a few weeks ago, I know she over did it and she was slower the next day but she doesn't hold it against me for allowing her occasional fun.

 

[M.F.]

Are the bone growths spurs? Benson had those...but they have disappeared!

What causes them to disappear? This is very hopeful news! Are growth spurs the same as arthritis?

 

[Naya]

@M.F. the diet change was to loose weight. Over several months she has a very bad paw injury from glass and had surgery so was on restricted walks. She then started limping on the other paw (the one we now know has arthritis) so again restricted walks. She put on just under 2 kg during those few months and really needed to loose it. I was considering using tumeric for myself, but was waiting to talk to my doctor to check any known reactions against my meds. Thanks for the info on salmon oil.

@Cupcase thank you. I did feel guilty for letting her play, but as you pointed out, she’s still young and I’m sure if it was too much she would of stopped.

 

[M.F.]

if they're in capsules you have no way of knowing

I often wonder what heat and processing is required to get oil into capsules. I’ve also seen posts elsewhere cautioning use of salmon oil due to high mercury content.

 

[Cupcase]

I often wonder what heat and processing is required to get oil into capsules. I’ve also seen posts elsewhere cautioning use of salmon oil due to high mercury content.

I never considered the process of getting the oil into capsules, so it must be treated somehow.
I use different vegetable oils all cold pressed for making face creams and they all go rancid quickly. Fresh fish starts to go slimy faster than fresh meat. So nothing scientific just my common sense. Also you have no way in knowing how it was stored after it left the factory.
As for the mercury, that's another concern as these suppliments are meant to be taken daily.

 

[Shaz82]

Harley is looking quite relaxed in the pool, I hope it helps her x

 

[Loraseal]

This thread is wonderful to read as there are a few of us here with doggie joint problems.
Hunter loves the Hydrotherapy but acts like an idoit on the belt. We are now using Synopet as an extra boost. Hunter reacts very well to it. Have you tried Flexadin? After the synopet bottle is empty we will be back on the homemade golden paste. I use it as well! Also Hunter is not yet 2 and needs to socialise and have fun We know this means pain killers before and after the no leash run. He loves it and we have chosen for Quality of Life. Well done for all your hard work. I love her face on the treadmill! She is obviously a very much loved for and cared for fur baby. X

 

[Naya]

We are now using Synopet as an extra boost. Hunter reacts very well to it. Have you tried Flexadin?

I’ve not heard of these. I will have a look into them.

She really is very loved and cared for . I’m really pleased at how relaxed she was and how quickly she picked it up

 

[Stacia]

Rourke who is only 71/2 has arthritis in shoulders (a very pronounced limp, nodding), in his carpals and hocks, his LH Hock is very bad and has a large bone spur on the side. I have him on Yumove Advanced which you can only buy from the vet, salmon oil and CBD drops.

He is fed on Arden Grange Lamb and Rice which suits him well and with Forthglade wet food on top. I am thinking of putting him on raw food now I will have freezer space, but not sure whether to change or not, I understand that red meat can make arthritis worse.