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Permalink Reply by Susan Stanton on July 6, 2009 at 1:17pm

Hi -- I was going to show you this chat, but I see you've already been there! Bertie's about 5, and has had issues with a rear leg or hip or knee on and off (vet has never diagnosed anything, and I have not persued X-rays, etc., because rest seems to resolve it). I had Rimadyl for a bit, which because of the side effects, I only used in low doses for short periods, but like you, I wanted to find something better. Duralactin was suggested by a vet, and he took it for a month, and is 100% better, with no side effects that I could see. Let me know if you try it out. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Joey Nolegs Gilbert on July 6, 2009 at 1:48pm

We'll go to the vet tomorrow and get blood work. Ask her about Duralactin. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Jude, Lily and Louise on July 9, 2009 at 3:56pm

Have you ever heard of Adequan injections? Our Mace had blown ACL's and developed arthritis in both hinds legs. We put her on Adequan injections and it was amazing. She ran and played like a puppy again. She was about 10 or 11. This was a few years ago, so I have not looked up any current information. It has been used for sometime now so good info should be out there. Good luck and let us know of Joey's progress.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Stanton on July 10, 2009 at 7:48am

Thanks for that info -- I looked it up, and it seems to help a lot of dogs with arthritis. I'll certainly keep it in mind, should Bertie's problem develop into or turn out to be arthritic.

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Permalink Reply by Joey Nolegs Gilbert on July 10, 2009 at 10:00am

I didn't like the injection part. Joey is terrified of needles. We're looking into Tramadol as an alternative to NSAIDs.

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Permalink Reply by Jude, Lily and Louise on July 10, 2009 at 1:24pm

All of the NSAIDs have side effects and must be used with caution and for brief periods if possible. In older dogs they can cause liver and kidney damage. Tramadol is a narcotic. Needless to say anything narcotic should be given only for intense acute pain. The side effects of narcotics are many and unpredictable. It is also processed by the liver and kidneys. All of these factors led us to the Adequan. The injections are uncomfortable, but tolerated well. After you get through the first round to build it up in the system, the injections are only given when they start to wear off. Mace's interval was about 6 to 8 weeks.
Duralactin sounds interesting. Hopefully we won't have to worry about Lily for a while. Fingers crossed, because she is a jumper. She jumps on things, off things (without noticing how high she is!) and jumps trying to catch fireflies (hysterical).

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Permalink Reply by Joey Nolegs Gilbert on July 10, 2009 at 1:35pm

Here's what we read about Tramadol.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/tramadol.html

We'll have to ask our vet about Adequan injections. Have you had your dog x-rayed?

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Permalink Reply by Jude, Lily and Louise on July 11, 2009 at 12:57pm

Mace was x-rayed a few times. It's a good idea for diagnostic reasons in many ways. If Joey has not had an x-ray, start there. It is good for them to look at the spine and hips. They can't tell everything by x-ray, but it can show alot and eliminate alot of possibilities.
I have to watch what I say on here. 12 hours after I posted about how I hoped we wouldn't have to worry about Lily for a while (she's 9 months). She refused to use her hind end, ER vet visit. God how did she know! I think she gets on line in secret to see what I say about her. Acute soft tissue injury, Rimadyl, Tramadol and no being crazy for a week! Please......keeping a 9 month old crazy girl quiet for a week. Pray for my sanity.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on July 11, 2009 at 10:45am

One of our dogs, Casey, had the adequan injections for arthritis and they gave him horrible, bloody diarrhea. It turned out that Cushings disease was causing his hind leg problems and not arthritis after all. We lost him to the Cushings a couple of years ago - the most heartbreaking thing we have ever been through with one of our dogs. He was a "once in a lifetime" dog.

Make certain you investigate all the side effects of the adequan before you make the decision. All drugs have side effects that they don't necessarily tell you about and all dogs are different. Your Joey may do very well with the adequan - wishing you and Joey well no matter what decision you make. It's so hard to watch them suffer as they get older. If only they could talk and tell us what we can do to help them.

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Permalink Reply by Jude, Lily and Louise on July 11, 2009 at 12:43pm

Sorry about little Casey. I feel my Mace was a once in a lifetime dog. We lost her in November after 14 years. I absolutely agree about checking side effects. We are blessed with an excellent up-to-date vet. I think that is always the first step, finding a vet who keeps up with the literature. That doesn't necessarily equate to expensive. You also have to educate yourself to work with the vet. Our vet had explored many options for her and moved to Adequan because it was clearly arthritis. Over the years due to illness and injuries (Mace was very atheletic) we have had experience with many NSAIDS and pain relievers. Sounds like you are doing the best thing for Joey, getting informed. He's a lucky boy to have such a good parent.
I wish also that God had given them the ability to tell you what they are feeling and how to help, but at least God gave us the gift of their company for how ever long we are lucky enough to have them.

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Permalink Reply by Joey Nolegs Gilbert on July 11, 2009 at 2:09pm

Thank you very much! We're blessed to have Joey. It's a minefield out there that's we stay connected through the internet and asking a lot of questions and we belong to the So California Corgi Assc.

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