Rourke has arthritis :-(

[Selina27]

So sorry @Jelinga that you have this worry with the gorgeous Rourke. I hope with all the suggestions and help from your vet you will find the way forward.

 

[edzbird]

Sorry to hear Rourke has arthritis at such a young age. With your help & his vet's help Rourke has the best chance of a comfortable life. All we gave Scooby was Glucosamine & Chondroitin and omega 3 fish oil. This seemed to ease his stiffness.

 

[Anne123]

So sorry that Rourke has arthritis! Our first lab had this also but developed it at a later age. He is very young for this. Hopefully the meds will do their job. I understand that you don’t want him to be on meds at such an young age. Perhaps you can try to get him on glucosamine and chondroitin and see if you can reduce his pain meds?

 

[Stacia]

Hope you get a good sleep Jelinga, and that things look less daunting in the morning. Thoughts are with you.

I woke up feeling glum. With all the helpful advice from you all, I will sit down and work out a plan, I really appreciate all everyone has written.

 

[Loraseal]

So sorry for Rourke and for you. I know how devastating this news is. Hunter is only 1 and we are having him checked again next week as we know he will get arthritis at some point in his young life due to his ED and operations.
There is good news. There are lots of options available! You have to talk with your vet or find who find a vet who specializes in pain rehabilitation.
We have a 3 level pain management plan with our vet as we know Hunter will always have pain issues for his whole life.
The easiest option is start with supplements. Each dog reacts differently so you have to work out what works for Rourke. It can take 6 weeks to see any real effect
Salmon oil (good quality)
As mentioned glucosamine and chondroitin
Golden paste (reduces swelling)
We are using extra strength YOUMOVE tablets and Flexadin...at the moment.

Therapy - It can be costly though
Hydrotherapy - The dogs love it!
Sonic Therapy - They use it on the British athletes and it is quite a new technique for vets
Infrared - Short term relief (it lasts about a 3 - 7 days)
Stemcell (we have done it as Hunter is so young)

Drugs!
NSAIDS There are more people on the forum (Bob) who can share more personal experience

All I can say is hang in there and trust me there is so much you can do. Acceptance of the condition was my key to moving forward and working out what works best for my sweet Hunter.
Let me know if you need any help
Lorraine

 

[Charlie]

Oh @Jelinga I am deeply sorry that poor Rourke has had this diagnosis. You have had amazing advise from everyone that has or is dealing with the same thing. We are all here to support you and help where we can. and xxxx to you and Rourke xxx

 

[Stacia]

@Loraseal for your excellent post. I use Yumega, do you think Salmon oil would be better? I can access hydrotherapy and the laser (heat) therapy if the insurance company will pay, but they might not if it is for the rest of his life. I could try some Golden Paste, where would I buy that?

@Charlie, thank you for your supportive words xxx

 

[Loraseal]

I make the golden paste.
65 to 70g turmeric powder(organic is better)
250-500ml cold water
70ml unrefined coconut (or can use virgin oil or linseed)
3 tsp black ground pepper
Mix turmeric and cold water and bring to boil
Reduce and cook for 7 mins
Stir frequently and add more water for paste consistancy
Remove from heat and let it cool so you can touch the pan. Add oil and pepper.
Keeps about 2 weeks in the fridge. I also freeze half.
I mix it with his salmon oil. Start with a quarter of teaspoon with every meal and build up slowly.
I will find the link for you also.

I will check with the Oh as you can buy it from amazon but you need the good organic one! The pepper helps absorb the tumeric.
Lean body weight is also very important. Not easy when you own a Labrador and have reduced exercise
Good luck and feel free to moan! It is also OK to have a good cry! I still do!

 

[kateincornwall]

I am sorry to read your news @Jelinga , such am awful shame , but I can vouch for Yumove , its done wonders for Nelly , helping to build the muscle and ligaments which can then support the limbs better xx

 

[Aitch]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Bear has arthritis in his back and does very well on Yumove. He has to have Onsior for a week now and then when he has a real flare up but he does still have a happy, fulfilled life as I'm sure your lovely Rourke will too. My thoughts go with you.

 

[Atemas]

@Jelinga I have written about Sky’s arthritis under the thread ‘overweight again’ in the Senior/oldies section. It’s a shock to get a diagnosis and Rourke is young so that makes it harder for you. Pain relief and appropriate exercise and a good supplement are the first lines of approach and hopefully will be all that’s necessary for the time being. I do massage Sky’s legs sometimes and she seems to like it - makes me feel I am doing something more pro active. Thinking of you.

 

[Boogie]

I have arthritis myself in hips, knees, toes and hands. I find glucosamine excellent. The pain is still there but it is dull and very easy to ignore.

If I forget a tablet I know about it starlight away. I’ll think “Why is this hurting?” when I can usually ignore it. Then I remember I’ve not had my glucosamine.

Keeping slim and exercise help too - plenty of exercise but without pushing it too hard or too far. Heat pads help my toes feel better too.

.

 

[Stacia]

Thank you for recent replies and thank you @Loraseal for write out recipe which I have copied out. Good to know @Boogie that glucosamine is so helpful. @Atemas I will have a look at your post in senior/older section. @kateincornwall and @Aitch for your dogs' excellent results on Yumove, which Rourke is on, hope it is as good xx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

A lot of great advice here for all of us, human and doggie. I don't have any advice, but sending lambie power to you and Roarke.

 

[Stacia]

Lambie power might do the trick @Emily_Babbelhund

 

[Oberon]

It’s rough when they start to show signs of getting older Sorry to hear this about Rourke.

I’d have a chat to your vet about Pentosan/Cartrophen. It’s the first thing I’ll go for when Obi starts to get a bit arthritic. That and Metacam.

 

[Stacia]

@Oberon, I wonder if Catrophen can help shoulder joints, must admit I have never known arthritis in shoulder joints, usually hips or elbows!

 

[Oberon]

The shoulder joint, between the upper arm and shoulder blade, is more or less like a hip joint - it’s a ball and socket joint (but a less obvious one) and it has cartilage between the bones and synovial fluid in the joint capsule. So there is no reason why it wouldn’t respond to pentosan/cartrophen like any other similar joint with cartilage and synovial fluid, like hips, elbows and knees. Pretty much any joint that normally relies on cartilage to prevent bone on bone contact can get osteoarthritis...toes, jaw, spine, knees...

 

[Stacia]

@Oberon, I did look at the x-rays and could see the joint, but the joint space seemed narrow. I could also see the bone was fuzzy a little higher up and hoped it wasn't bone cancer! Vet said he had the same thought but as Rourke has been lame for a year, it is unlikely.

 

[Oberon]

I’m sure he’ll be much more comfortable with a bit of Metacam, and joint supplements can’t hurt and may help.

By the time arthritic changes show up in bone there has already been damage to cartilage. A narrow joint space is an indication of that - it can mean that the cartilage has reduced in volume, allowing the space between the bones to narrow. It’s no longer a nice fat cushion, it’s a thin cushion.