Limping at 3!!!!!

[Droogs]

Hi all,
I have a lovely Labrador cross who has just turned three. She loves to go for walks and play with my other 1 year old border collie. However, over the last few months I have noticed she starts to limp after standing up or running lots. She also seems much slower on walks and less active.

I have taken her to the vet and they cannot find anything except to say she seems to have slightly restrictive front elbows with feet that turn slightly in which might be causing pressure- which could be breeding (we don't know what her dad was but it looks like a bit of rottweiller). They gave her anti inflammatory tablets for two weeks and told us to give her as much bed rest as possible. Since then they have tried a steriod injection, which has made a difference.

The biggest worry is that she also loves her food and is on the heavier side although vet says it's not that bad. I have her on a light complete food and have cut all treats.

Anyone have any similar experience of this? Either limping/Stiffness and any healthy remedies? I think if she goes on to regular steriods it will only make her fatter and not to keen to have them pump her with stuff at three! - anyone got any experience of homeopathy or chiropractors etc

I love her to pieces and want her to be happy and healthy - and enjoy her runs!!

Thanks

[NewfieGrl]

Hi,
If she continues to limp I would suggest getting a second opinion. Did they do xrays? I definately would suggest not doing the steriods on a regular basis. The side affects can be terrible, especially at her age.
My older Newfoundland has arthritis and one somewhat bad hip. About 2 years ago I started noticing that he was looking stiff. I had used glycoflex with him since a young age, because of his breed. I also started using Metacam as needed. Definately not something I wanted to start him on but I also believe in pain management. When there is pain there is lack of movement. Lack of movement will create atrophy. Shortly after his arthritis was diagnosed I started bringing him to acupuncture which helped greatly. I had heard alot of great things about it. We still go on a regular basis. Last year I switched him to a holistic agility supplement, and along with the acupuncture I have greatly been able to reduce his need for the metacam. There are still some days that he needs it, but not nearly as much as he use to. I also have a special exercise regimen for him.
But, it sounds like you don't quite know exactly what you are dealing with yet. Hopefully you will soon.
I will be away at a pet convention so if you reply with any questions I won't be back until Tuesday.
Good luck.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats.

[Gingermylove]

when you view the exray look for pinched nerves I would follow the diet for ivd to prevent what mygingermylove is going through.
also I agree holostic medisine is awsone!
Ginger & laurie
lauriesmallwood@isp.com

[artmark]

Our smaller dog died recently from a adverse reaction to METACAM. I would only use a NSAID as a last resort.and if you do research them there is quite a bit a veternarian will not tell you 18% of dogs who have a adverse reactions to a NSAID die or have to be euthanized from complications.we just recently started our other dog on glucosimine it is a joint supplement,we have not seen a response yet.

[Evey]

If there is restricted movement in the front end massage therapy can help. A good massage therapist will work with you on keeping it affordable.

[rstowe]

Our Corso has hip dysplasia and she takes Synovex G3. It is a chewable glucosamine vitamin that helps keep her from getting stiff and sore with no side effects. We get it from the vet but I believe you can get it from a pet store.

Definitely get x-rays done by a different vet if your current vet didn't do x-rays they are only doing half the job.

[NewfieGrl]

Our smaller dog died recently from a adverse reaction to METACAM. I would only use a NSAID as a last resort.and if you do research them there is quite a bit a veternarian will not tell you 18% of dogs who have a adverse reactions to a NSAID die or have to be euthanized from complications.we just recently started our other dog on glucosimine it is a joint supplement,we have not seen a response yet.

Yes, I know the side effects of the NSAIDS. I have done my homework when it comes to any and all medications I have to give to my pets. That is the reason why I use it as little as possible. I do great supplements, acupunture and a specific exercise regimen so that he keeps some muscle in the leg. The combination of everything I do with him has allowed me to give him the Metacam as little as possible, but I also will not allow him to suffer in pain if he's having a really bad day. Thank goodness the bad days are rare as I've had the same bottle of Metacam since October, still have some left, and he's a 140 lb dog and almost 9 years old. Half the recommended dosage usually nips it in the bud.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats.

[artmark]

I am glad you are aware of side effects to nsaids but most are not, and veternarians to not practice medicine to the same standard as other doctors, some tell nothing in fear the owner will not use the drug, some refuse to give out the client information sheet and some give limited information and no treatment options.if you not aware of it in February the FDA/CVM changed there nsaid brochure adding some side effects and adding the instructions to immediately contact your vet if any side effects occur.

[artmark]

METACAM

We believe that our dog died from an adverse reaction while on the Nsaid, Metacam manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim it was introduced on November 11, 2003 and on February 23, 2004, they were sent an advisory letter from the FDA asking for changes in their promotional materials. They had made misleading mechanism of action claims, misleading comparative claims, unsubstantiated safety claims and did not provide a full list of risks. On April 19, 2005 the FDA sent Boehringer Ingelheim a notice of violation for the same unsubstantiated safety and efficacy claims and misleading mechanism of action claims. It was over one year later and they still were misleading veterinarians about the safeness and effectiveness of their product. After this misleading information is distributed, how is it undistributed? It is not! On January 10 2007 the veterinarian that treated our dog said, we are going to use Metacam, it is one of the newer Nsaid’s and it is safer and more effective than all the others.

[NewfieGrl]

Yes, I still find it disturbing that there are vets who don't give the client any information about the side effects. I feel pretty lucky that I have the kind of vet that I do. I also have the holistic vet that I use for acupuncture and the holistic vet that formulates the foods and supplements I sell to bounce ideas off of. I knew Dublin had one bad hip when he was 2 and had his OFA's done. He really didn't start showing signs of it until he was 7. I was using the glycoflex with him at that time and then started using the metacam, as needed. I then started the acupuncture with him and that greatly helped. Then I switched to the holistic agility supplement and took him off of the glycoflex and that helped even more. Both of my vets are very impressed with how he is doing. But he still has bad days, especially if he over does it. That's when he will get a dose. I've also considered trying some hydro-therapy with him.
You had mentioned you hadn't seen a change with they glucosomine you are using. What other ingredients does it contain? And how long have you been using it? Sometimes it takes a little time for it to start taking effect, but if you don't see a change in a few months I would switch to something different. You may even want to consult with a holistic veterinarian and see if they have other options for you.
As Evey stated also, massage may help.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats.

[artmark]

we have not been using the glucosimine that long and we are being cautious with it so we will be patient. I have done quite a bit of research since we lost our other dog I am glad you have the veternarian you have but I have spoken to average vetertnarians teachers and even a veternarian that helped write the practice act model for the AAVSB, veternarians behave unlike all other medical profesionals ,they ignore laws that have been in place for over 100 years to protect the common man from the medical profession and when you ask them about it you get long winded vague responses. sorry to say your Veternarian sounds great but is in the minority

[KYBordeaux]

I would definitely stay away from NSAIDs at all cost! My bordeaux does awesome on Trixsyn. It is hyaluronic acid, the newest science out there. It works a lot quicker and better than any glucosamine I tried. Best wishes. At that age, I would hate to see a dog on steroids/NSAIDS long term. I would try a good quality diet, keep her weight maintained, use some supplements and try acupuncture.