Monty's hips and elbows

[Stacia]

Poppy is sick on metacam too; she is fine with old-fashioned rimadyl when necessary...

When my hip was so bad I took lots of ibuprofen, then started to react very badly to it. I was fine with diclofenac- though it comes with serious health warnings. There will be something that can help Rourke.

I had forgotten Rimadyl, can mention that to the vet when I see him next week, thank you.

 

[Natalie]

You might also want to ask about straightforward paracetamol @Jelinga , my vet gets annoyed that it's so under used for dogs, we use it occasionally along with metacam if monty is looking stiff. Our dose is half a normal tablet, 3 times a day, moving up to three quarters of a tablet if needed.

Have you checked that the meloxicam is the ingredient upsetting Rourke? It probably is, being the active ingredient, but Metacam, Rheumocam, Loxicam are all different liquids (i can't bear the smell of metacam, bleurgh).

I've also found tramadol to be a good painkiller in very short doses for Monty, he didn't show any adverse side effects at all.

Also might be worth giving cartrophen a go, alongside painkillers?

 

[Stacia]

Thanks @Natalie, that is interesting as have just spoken to my daughter and she said her vet prescribed paracetamol! Rourke was on Metacam tablets. My vet did mention that I could be referred to a nearby vet specialist who could inject directly into the shoulder joint later on. I am still worried though that it could be bone cancer, won't know until he has his second x-ray in about 3 weeks time.

 

[Natalie]

Mabel sends her love to Monty and misses his amorous advances

Monty is much more sensible now he's nearly 5 and wouldn't dream of haranguing Mabel any more
I bet you and @SwampDonkey laughed at me saying monty limits himself as you've both seen him having bonkers moments.

has less stamina than his peers,

I just reread my post for the first time and couldn't believe I described Monty's doggy friends as his peers. Hilarious. Considering I was on my 3rd glass of wine i suppose it could have been much worse.

 

[kateincornwall]

@Jelinga , also ask about Loxicom , my old girl Tess took it for her arthritis , she reacted to Metacam but Loxicom was more gentle on her tummy xxx

 

[Stacia]

@kateincornwall, have never heard of Loxicom, will certainly suggest it.

 

[Loraseal]

Sometimes I think Hunter's naughtiness is turning me into a dick dog too and I missed this thread! It has so much meaning for me especially as Hunter had ED so young. Hunter had all good scores from the breeder. Yes we were very unlucky that his health is not as expected. However as you all say I think we were destined to have him. I could not imagine our family home without him. The key as you say is to finding the right vet and pain management plan. Accepting his health condition was my turning point. I have shed many tears this year and no doubt there are more to come. An inspiring thread to any dog owner.

 

[Natalie]

Thanks @Loraseal I know you've gone through the mill with Hunter too, I meant to post on your thread about stem cell therapy as my vet does something called platelet rich plasma therapy, is this the same as you had with Hunter?

My vet is extremely cautious about when, or if we might ever use it with Monty, as she is aware that even injections can cause more damage in a poorly joint. So we have talked about it as a step when Monty has a flare up that doesn't improve after 2 to 3 weeks of restricted exercise as a possibility.

We had one of his longest ever walks today, a non-stop hour and a half through our local woods where he was more playful and full of joie de vivre than I've seen him in a long time, I hope it doesn't catch up with him tomorrow.

He was set upon by a terrier, not badly, mostly bark and no bite, and the way he shrugged it off made me marvel at his resilience and sunny temperament, he's quite rock solid and not at all prone to stress or anxiety. It made me think that in a way, a physical problem can be a bit easier to manage, when I hear of what @snowbunny and Willow have gone through, or @JES72 with Homer, (I know there are many others too) , I really wonder whether I could cope with that. I know they're not really comparable but I think it's wonderful how everyone on the forum copes with the all the issues our dogs throw at us.

 

[Selina27]

It made me think that in a way, a physical problem can be a bit easier to manage, when I hear of what @snowbunny and Willow have gone through, or @JES72 with Homer, (I know there are many others too)

Yes, I do agree with you there @Natalie , I've always found psychological distress in animals very hard to deal with, more so than physical issue. Not that I think that's ok either, because I don't, but worry and anxiety upsets me more. I suppose it's because I can't help them rationalize the fear.
It was brought home to me recently when someone let off two squeally rocket things quite close to us, I have never seen Cassie so upset by anything before and it was horrible.(Apart from her phantom pregnancy, a lot of psychological distress then) She doesn't mind pops and bangs but those things really distressed her, I shall have to start playing the tapes to her again.
I do hope Monty doesn't pay the price tomorrow for his exertions today!

 

[snowbunny]

He was set upon by a terrier, not badly, mostly bark and no bite, and the way he shrugged it off made me marvel at his resilience and sunny temperament, he's quite rock solid and not at all prone to stress or anxiety. It made me think that in a way, a physical problem can be a bit easier to manage, when I hear of what @snowbunny and Willow have gone through, or @JES72 with Homer, (I know there are many others too) , I really wonder whether I could cope with that. I know they're not really comparable but I think it's wonderful how everyone on the forum copes with the all the issues our dogs throw at us.

I think you just work with the cards you're dealt. I said on another post the other day that it's the difficult dogs that teach you a lot - that must be as true of dogs with physical difficulties as those with emotional ones. You have to get informed and probably creative about how you can exercise your dog safely, especially after surgery or in recovery time. We adapt, and we get a deeper understanding of the "thing" that our dog is afflicted by, and we learn how to make their lives as good as they can be.
It's easy to wallow, and we probably all do at times, but we come out fighting for our pups and we all become stronger for it.

I suppose it's because I can't help them rationalize the fear.

This is the most upsetting thing, and it's why I've been in floods of tears for Willow when she's been at her lowest. But I'm sure those same tears have been shed by the person who finds out about their dog's dysplasia or whatever other issue they have. It must be the same feeling of helplessness, but that is a reaction to the moment, because we truly aren't helpless - we can and do help. Maybe not right there and then, but long term, we make a huge difference. Once that moment has passed, we can shake ourselves off and put together a plan to make things better for them.

Everyone here is amazing, and would all do the same, because we love our pups unconditionally and would do whatever it takes to make them better. And the even better thing is, we have our very own cheerleaders right here to help us through, too

 

[Loraseal]

Thanks @Loraseal I know you've gone through the mill with Hunter too, I meant to post on your thread about stem cell therapy as my vet does something called platelet rich plasma therapy, is this the same as you had with Hunter?

Both involve injections so I guess it still remains the last resort for you?? PRP is like adding additional fertilizer and water to the plant, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC's) are like placing new seeds in the area and hiring a gardener. We chose stemcells as Hunter is so young.
We met the vet's first stemcell patient the other week. The dog had a hernia on its back and was nearly paralyzed. After the stem cell therapy , she can now walk on her own. OK it is not a fluid walk, but she can go to the toilet and move on her own. Win win for the owner.
As @snowbunny says, we adapt, learn and love.

 

[JES72]

I think you just work with the cards you're dealt. I said on another post the other day that it's the difficult dogs that teach you a lot

It’s the dogs that need that need extra effort from you are the ones that are closer to you. I’ve definitely learnt a whole lot more about dogs with Homer than I might have done with a less complicated dog.

I grew up with many different dogs over the years but Paddy the Airedale is still the one that stands out (apart from Homer of course). When he was about two years old he got dreadful mange. Once home he had to stand still with all four paws in tubs of sheep dip. He had to have lots of training as he became very possessive guarding his family. (He even sent the national security police packing once.) He would walk to heal, sit and stay outside the corner shop perfectly, a big feat for an overgrown terrier. He was one of a kind but I believe his bond with us was stronger because of what we’d gone through together.

 

[Natalie]

I was about to start a post on acupuncture and stumbled over this thread. Just over a year on, I thought I would write an update, and I do hope I am not tempting fate by doing it. I think that this might have been the best 12 month period for Monty health wise. I realised we haven't had a trip to the vet because he has had a flare up or serious limping episode, which is a first. His bloods were clear in April and although he still gets a daily dose of meloxicam (I swop between loxicom, rheumocam and another generic brand, all except metacam as I can't abide the smell) I reduce it from 30 down to 20-25 whenever I can.
A couple of months ago I felt he even had a bit more energy, running about a bit, an occasional zoomie... I was wondering if the home cooking could be doing this but then thought that was just silly, though his coat is as shiny as it could be without being @Beanwood shiny level

So thought this might give some hope to owners of other doggies with arthritis and multiple dodgy joints, you can reach a point of stabilisation and enjoy periods of no vet visits.

Touch wood

 

[Beanwood]

Heart-warming to read @Natalie! Thank you for sharing...

 

[SwampDonkey]

I hope so hes such a gorgeous boy. You do an amazing job with him. XXX

 

[snowbunny]

That sounds great, Natalie! I’m glad you’ve found the combination of things that work for your boy

 

[Emily]

I was about to start a post on acupuncture and stumbled over this thread. Just over a year on, I thought I would write an update, and I do hope I am not tempting fate by doing it. I think that this might have been the best 12 month period for Monty health wise. I realised we haven't had a trip to the vet because he has had a flare up or serious limping episode, which is a first. His bloods were clear in April and although he still gets a daily dose of meloxicam (I swop between loxicom, rheumocam and another generic brand, all except metacam as I can't abide the smell) I reduce it from 30 down to 20-25 whenever I can.
A couple of months ago I felt he even had a bit more energy, running about a bit, an occasional zoomie... I was wondering if the home cooking could be doing this but then thought that was just silly, though his coat is as shiny as it could be without being @Beanwood shiny level

So thought this might give some hope to owners of other doggies with arthritis and multiple dodgy joints, you can reach a point of stabilisation and enjoy periods of no vet visits.

Touch wood

Wonderful

 

[Selina27]

Great to read Natalie

the home cooking could be doing this but then thought that was just silly,

I don't see why this is silly, I think diet can make a difference to arthritis. When I remember I take cider vinegar for my dodgy knee, and it definitely makes a difference to the mobility of the joint. And my chiropracter urges me to cut out gluten and sugar to help reduce inflammation. I'm bad at that, but reckon it does have an effect aswell.

Not that I've gone so far as to have a zoomie yet !

 

[Charlie]

What good news Natalie, you must be so happy, Monty too!! xx

 

[Natalie]

I don't see why this is silly, I think diet can make a difference to arthritis. When I remember I take cider vinegar for my dodgy knee, and it definitely makes a difference to the mobility of the joint. And my chiropracter urges me to cut out gluten and sugar to help reduce inflammation. I'm bad at that, but reckon it does have an effect aswell.

oh really, that's interesting. He's only getting home cooked in the evenings, but I I've also switched his kibble in the the last year too. Maybe I should add a dash of apple cider vinegar to his food too!