Ageing collie's stiff/sore legs

abibee

What would you suggest for our ageing collie's legs? She still likes to run and chase sticks during the day like she's a pup, but pays for it in the evening when she's stiffened-up and sore. We limit how much she gets to run about, but don't want to stop her fun.

Someone suggested a small dosage of Ibuprofen, would that be ok?

krlyr

Ibuprofen apparently has a very small safety margin in regards to toxicity in dogs, so no, don't give the dog any. Ditto with other un-prescribed medication, unless they have been suggested on vet advice, you're taking a gamble at their safety and I would avoid them. I know of a young dog who was recently euthanised as they managed to get into and eat part of a pack of painkillers (can't recall if it was Ibuprofen or Paracetamol) and the liver damage it caused was irreversible - but the dog went up and down seeming to recover and then regressing for days, not a pleasant way to spend its last few days at all.

A vet visit would be my first and foremost suggestion. There's no such condition as "old age", as I was once wisely told. Old age may bring on the start of typical conditions like arthritis, but that in itself is its own medical condition.

A vet can diagnose the exact issue, and from there you can go on to a suitable treatment/management plan. My 7.5 year old Rottie x had stiffness last year - vet thought it may be arthritis, given her age (Rottie lifespan as sadly quite low due to the prevalence of bone cancer etc.), but I wanted to rule it in/out. X-rays showed it to actually be tendonitis - so treatment began and she's now all better, and still comes out running with me.

Even if it isn't something curable, a vet can give a suitable pain relief, and recommend supplements to help. I've heard lots of doubts about the efficiency of glucosamine lately, but there are plenty of other supplements to consider. This webpage is a fab read actually - http://dogaware.com/health/arthritis.html

RedBern

our 9 year old retriever has mild arthritis in his front paws - and now has a tin of sardines every other day with his breakfast. Since we started this - about a year ago, his joints don't seem to stiffen up or swell as they used to. Worth a try for 49p a tin.

DaveTheMus

As above, some fish oil of any kind will work a treat.

Shoshannah

I would suggest a trip to the vet to get her some anti-inflammatory painkillers intended for dogs. She must be in pain, poor love.

Big no no to ibuprofen - the dose needed to stop pain in dogs is higher than the dose needed to kill them.

abibee

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that Ibuprofen is a no-no, it was suggested by another owner who's dog has arthritis, hmm.

I'm a bit reluctant to go the vet route yet, as it's only a little stiffness as yet, and we're a little cynical/afraid that once the vet gets his hands on a dog, it can be downhill from there.

That link is useful, but I'm surprised at it saying 'not' cod liver oil, I thought that was the way to go generally, I guess I just assumed.

Shoshannah

abibee wrote: »

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that Ibuprofen is a no-no, it was suggested by another owner who's dog has arthritis, hmm.

I'm a bit reluctant to go the vet route yet, as it's only a little stiffness as yet, and we're a little cynical/afraid that once the vet gets his hands on a dog, it can be downhill from there.

That link is useful, but I'm surprised at it saying 'not' cod liver oil, I thought that was the way to go generally, I guess I just assumed.

I would urge you to reconsider a vet visit. It is normal these days for older dogs to take pain medication for their arthritis, just as humans do.

Don't be afraid. You could change her life.

mum2one

Have you thought of cod liver oil tablets, - our dog has cod liver oil, evening primrose and garlic tablets (he has the human version), our last dog had them as well. x

any_name_will_suffice

Does your dog like to swim?

My 7 1/2 year old lab cross goes to our local hydrotherapy pool once a fortnight for a "fun and fitness" swim. We started going for hydrotherapy last year after a cruciate repair, but around the same the vet noticed stiffness in his hips- something that is sometimes noticable to us after a long walk. She advised that within two years he would likely be on long term anti inflammatories, and that "controlled swimming" might be beneficial, and a year on, he is having much less stiffness. He is also an incredibly strong swimmer, in great condition now and absolutely loves it- we are lucky to have a great centre near us where fun and fitness means playing fetch with all his favourite toys in the pool.

He is also taking a joint supplement.

Another thing that has made a big difference is buying him an orthopedic dog bed- he is much less stiff on rising.

The vets is definitely the place to start.

Cyclamen

Our Staffie cross gets stiff and creaky .. what we have done is

Make a set of dog stairs.. we get up some firm foam blocks and used a glue gun.. they look horrendously messy but she can now get up onto the office bed with me without jumping.. took a bit of training coaxing.. but she uses them herself now.

Changed her bed.. made sure we had something that supported her and gave her enough room to lay flat out on her side legs extended ..as she prefers this.. she used to sleep in a little ball.

try to encourage her to only run on grass not roads.. a bit harder as i'm an electric chair user so she trots with me.. but will now stick to softer grass.

glucosamine dog tablets.. she loves these (chicken flavoured) and i think they help.. my husband takes teh human ones and noticed a difference when we ran out.. very silly as she comes and sits in teh kitchen at 8 pm waiting for them (thats when i take my meds and she often beats me to cupboard as there kept together).

Massage and when she is particularly creaky i give her my 'heat pad' its a human argos one so i watch constantly but it seems to help..i am sure you can buy pet versions but i had a spare cover and limited funds so she uses mine.

Raising bowls up .. she hated this an dstopped drinking .. but it was suggested and we tried it.

Shorter walks, playtime etc.. not necessarily less overall but not as much at a time.. although my lass doesn't want as much play now..

I also second the talking to vets.. we were told for now its not bad enough for meds but if she is in regular discomfort that we cant stop I will be back there

teddysmum

If you go onto the Lintbells website, you can request a free sample of 30 Yumove tablets.


My 11 year old cavalier was getting very stiff after lying down for some time, especially in the evening, but since he has been on Yumove ( January), I can honestly say that he has only hobbled once and doesn't get stuck part way upstairs so often . As a bonus he loves the taste and regards his daily tablet as a treat.


The tablets can be bought, in tubs of 300, more cheaply, elsewhere, but the sample comes with a special (one off ? ) offer of 450 at a lower price per tablet.


I can't give a direct link to the offer, as I have had my sample.


http://www.lintbells.com/products?gclid=COClj47ayb8CFWXLtAodMH0AYQ