My Flynn Has Arthritis

[NOKIAGIRL]

Can Anyone Help Me As My 6 Half Year Old Boxer Flynn Has Arthritis In His Hips.

He's Been On Steroids For The Last 8 Months And We Have Managed To Reduce His Dose To Half But He Becomes Lame When He Runs Too Much, We Have A Magnetic Collar Which Helps A Little

Any More Ideas Would Be Great As He Wants To Play All The Time And Ends Up Sore.

 

[TossBranAbi]

Is there any way of playing with him without him running around a lot. I would try to keep his play sessions short and have him rest in between instead of just going and going. And playing in warm water might help, it would be soothing and less 'shock' (can't think of the word I want to use here) on his hips. Have you tried a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement?

 

[Net45582]

have you tried gloucosamine(sp)?......the vet can also prescribe Rimadyl or other meds.Good luck...I've also heard hydrotherapy(swimming) helps sometimes as well as massaging.

 

[KonaKoffe]

How about adding dietary supplements to his diet ( vitamins C, E, fish oil, glucosomine and chondrotin) and possibly accupuncture. The same things that help humans as far as diet can help dogs.

 

[NOKIAGIRL]

Flynn

Flynn Has Been Taking Glucosamine And Cod Live Oil For The Past 2 Years And Other Medications Vet Has Tried Gave Him An Upset Stomach.

We Live In Glasgow Scotland So We Realy Dont Get Much Of The Sunshine Here In The Summer When We Do. Flynn Loves Nothing Better Than Getting Into Car And Going To The Beach For The Day
He Won't Swim But Loves To Be In The Water All Day.

We Don't Run Him But If He Is Off Lead At Night And He Sees A Fox There Is No Stopping Him He Never Has A Chance Of Getting Them But He Comes Back So Proud Of Himself That He Chased Them Away If The Fox Was To Stand Its Ground He Would Probably Run A Mile As He Is Generaly Afraid Of His Own Shadow.

 

[TossBranAbi]

I am sure there is some other kind of meds that can help or even some other way to give them not not upset his belly. Have you talked to any other vet for maybe a fresh start and new ideas? Even if you really like your vet he/she may be not thinking of some kind of med or treatment. I know that is a long shot but it does happen. There has to be something to help poor Flynn, he is still quite young and arthritis is a fairly common problem. Do you have a facility around that does actual hydrotherapy for dogs? Where they would get him in and do exercises? Don't give up, there is an answer out there somewhere.

 

[lafsalot]

My (now) 14.5 year old senior did fine on cosequin for years, but just recently added rimadyl. Hope your furbaby feels better soon ~ Cathy