Just catching up on this - it's great that your new vet caught arthritis as who knows if your previous vet would have until she actually was showing signs of pain. We are human, and it's hard to catch things in the early stages sometimes (trust me, I had so much guilt for leaving Quinn in excruciating pain for days last year when she had the infected intestine, thinking it was her leg). Hattie sounds in excellent health and is well loved!
Hattie, her lump and arthritis
- Thread starter Charlie
- Start date
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Just got back from the vet for a check up on Hattie's 'lady' bits. All looking less inflamed, continue with cream for another five days. Urine sample was clear, nothing lurking so no AB's required. Good news. Talked about her arthritis and she wants me to finish the bottle of Metacam, keep a diary of how she is i.e. any changes in stiffness/wobbliness. If no change we will go down another avenue. She suggested acupuncture. Anyone had any experience? xx
- Location
- Essex, U.K.
Good news about Hattie's lady bits, no experience of acupuncture though, sorry x
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
No experience of acupuncture myself, but my sister had it a little while back for a shoulder injury. She was a total eye-roller about it, didn't think it would do anything - but she was amazed at the results. My concern with her was that it was masking an injury, which wasn't going to get any better on its own, so acupuncture alone wasn't the answer (even if it did make it less painful - the fact she could use it more was only doing more damage), but in the case of arthritis, I figure it's got to be worth a bash. Personally, I'd take measurable data before and after so I was clear whether it had made any actual difference, but then, I'm a nerd.
Ginny is on a one-a-month NSAID as well as Hyaloral (similar to YuMove+) and it is making a difference. From the little I have read about arthritis, it's important that the pain is nipped in the bud as early as possible, because the central nervous system can be impacted, and that means that the things that the dog does to cope with the pain (restricted range of movement etc) can become more "hard-wired" to the extent that they will continue with those movement patterns even after the pain has gone. And those movement patterns are harder on the joints, and so the damage is exacerbated, and you end up spiralling.
One thing I've not investigated is whether there is such a thing as a proper osteopath for dogs. My osteo does wonders for my range of movement.
Yes, Monty has had a lot of acupuncture. I'm off to bed now but promise to post about it tomorrow in my lunch break. X
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
That would be great. Thanks Natalie. xx
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Rourke is having laser acupuncture, hasn't done any good whatsoever unfortunately. However, I have a friend who is having acupuncture and is very effective at controlling his pain.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I used to do acupuncture on my patients.
Don't have the time now.
Can help for sure by deactivating Trigger Points. Some really interesting theories around pain pathways.
I am definitely Western rather than Traditional though, and would ALWAYS recommend a medical/veterinary qualification for anyone you might be looking to use.
Don't have the time now.
Can help for sure by deactivating Trigger Points. Some really interesting theories around pain pathways.
I am definitely Western rather than Traditional though, and would ALWAYS recommend a medical/veterinary qualification for anyone you might be looking to use.
Hi Helen,
Just catching up on this and am sorry to hear about Hattie's woes.
Harvey, who is 6, was diagnosed with arthritis a while ago. We were quite shocked as that seemed very young to us. However, having done some research I found that it is estimated that as much as 20% of dogs over the age of 12 months will have some form of arthritis. Their stoic nature means that we often don't notice until they are older.
Harv has had a course of Cartrophen from the vets and is taking YuMove+. We've also made minor 'lifestyle' changes (like comfy beds etc). Touch wood, he seems much improved and hasn't limped for months.
Don't be despondent - there are lots of things that can be done in terms of management of arthritis.
Just catching up on this and am sorry to hear about Hattie's woes.
Harvey, who is 6, was diagnosed with arthritis a while ago. We were quite shocked as that seemed very young to us. However, having done some research I found that it is estimated that as much as 20% of dogs over the age of 12 months will have some form of arthritis. Their stoic nature means that we often don't notice until they are older.
Harv has had a course of Cartrophen from the vets and is taking YuMove+. We've also made minor 'lifestyle' changes (like comfy beds etc). Touch wood, he seems much improved and hasn't limped for months.
Don't be despondent - there are lots of things that can be done in terms of management of arthritis.
This is very true for me personally with my arthritis. I have to keep on top of the pain, otherwise it just gets worse and worse and means I can't sleep. Also, after I had a hip replacement six years ago, I was still limping six months later, even though I had no pain whatsoever! My body had just learned to move that way to protect the dodgy joint. I had to have another course of physiotherapy to correct this.
Suffering from arthritis myself makes me realize what our dogs go through, and from my personal perspective I would say it is important to keep warm, to keep on top of the pain, to keep weight down, to do steady exercise to keep strong and supple without jarring the joints, and above all to do things that you enjoy to stay happy (because feeling in pain and depressed is a terrible combo).
Cath
MLF Sales Coordinator
I have bad arthritis in my hands and take turmeric. It does help. I wonder if you could ask your vet for Hattie and see what he/she says.
Yes, this is so right. I keep moving my fingers. Jarring is so painful
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Me too, but I am not opposed to traditional alongside western as it has worked for thousands of years. My vet said she could refer Hattie if the Metacam isn't helping. It's just another option to think about. Shame you don't have the time any more Jacqui it sounds fascinating. I remember watching something on TV on dog acupuncture, again fascinating. xx
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
@Cath I chatted with the vet about supplements and she said Yumove and the salmon oil I give them both is great and to keep on with it. I will chat to her about tumeric when I take Hattie back. I have been reading about the benefits of tumeric with black pepper as I have arthritis in my finger joints and neck. Moving heaven and earth for Hattie but done nothing for myself, says it all! 
xx
@UncleBob Poor Harvey, it's awful, it's such a shock to be told. I feel just awful that Hattie might have been in pain for longer despite my numerous chats with our vet. Nothing I can do but move forward and make her as comfortable as I can. xx
xx@UncleBob Poor Harvey, it's awful, it's such a shock to be told. I feel just awful that Hattie might have been in pain for longer despite my numerous chats with our vet. Nothing I can do but move forward and make her as comfortable as I can. xx
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Yes, it’s supposed to help, isn’t it. It’s my excuse for stocking up with Waitrose’s lovely new dark chocolate with ginger and turmeric. Sadly the shelf was empty when I shopped yesterday.
Not suitable for dogs, though!
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
In your opinion do you think this looks supportive enough for Hattie before I press the 'buy' button for a memory foam bed! It's a raised bed with a double folded duvet Thanks x
- Location
- Essex, U.K.
I don't know but it looks comfy enough for me!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
It's almost certainly not as supportive as a good memory foam bed would be, if it's like the normal raised beds which dip in the middle. Whether it's supportive "enough", I guess that's subjective. Ginny would probably struggle to get comfy on it, and get on and off with any stability. If it were the only bed available for the Labs, they would definitely make do, as it looks lovely and snuggly.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Not arthritis , but Sam did suffer some aches and pains from his cancer , we bought a memory foam mattress for him , it supported his weight easily , that was 38 kilos . I still have it now in the bedroom for Reuben , think they are wonderful x
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
As much as they set my teeth on edge, memory foam it is!! xx Thanks so much everyone for your help. xx