Ageing collie's stiff/sore legs

m1kjm

teddysmum wrote: »

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

I'd really like to try this offer but I can't see it on the website

krlyr

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.

Find a vet you can trust, either through experience or recommendation. I certainly trust my vet's judgement, there have been times I've actually been talked out of expensive treatments or diagnostics as the vet has thought it not worth the expense or knew of a cheaper option to try (e.g. when I had a pet rat with suspected heart failure - the accurate diagnostic method would have been a chest x-ray but the vet was happy to prescribe the meds on the basis he would improve if it was heart failure)

You really need to know what you're dealing with - it most likely is the onset of arthritis due to old age, but there is a chance it's something else. As said, my dog's intermittant stiffness was due to tendonitis in her shoulder, and she needed different treatment for that. With her condition, the longer it went untreated, the more damage it could have done - it often needs surgical intervention, though thankfully in her case the rest, anti-inflammatories and then the physio/rehabilitation plan did the trick for her.


Cod liver oil tends to not be recommended due to the high amounts of Vitamin A in liver. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, i.e. one that can be overdosed as excess is not just filtered out into urine as
waste. Therefore, regular use of cod liver oil can pose the risk of overdose - fish body oils are much safer and still great for the joints (though many fish body oils may need to be supplemented with Vitamin E - the intake of fish body oils can deplete the Vitamin E stores slightly, hence the need for supplementation)

abibee

Thanks for your thoughts and input guys. Good idea about her bed, I've not thought of that.

I think she's manageable just now with supplements (looking at fish oils and glucosamine). But of course if she gets any worse then we'll see what the vet can offer.

Age doesn't come easy, does it!

teddysmum

m1kjm wrote: »

I'd really like to try this offer but I can't see it on the website

Try using the site's search function for 'free sample'.


If this doesn't work, pm me and I'll ask a friend how she got her sample, after I posted the link on our forum.

dawnie1972

Yumove don't do samples anymore - I enquired via their facebook page

Paradigm

You don't say exactly how old she is?

Metacam works extremely well for this kind of thing but can have side effects if used long term....

Dogs seem to manage pain much better than we do & while we think they are ok & comfortable that might not be the case.

For the sake of a consultation fee I'd suggest a check at your vet.

m1kjm

teddysmum wrote: »

Try using the site's search function for 'free sample'.


If this doesn't work, pm me and I'll ask a friend how she got her sample, after I posted the link on our forum.

TY so much, I've emailed them and they're going to send me a sample :T

starrystarry

Seraquin did the trick for my dog. He used to be very sore after a walk but he doesn't show any signs of it anymore. We saw a difference within a few days.

I was interested to read about Yumove. I'd never heard of that one but it seems to be similar to Seraquin. Similar price as well though so I might as well stick with Seraquin since I know it works for my boy.

jrtfan

I would definitely recommend a chat with your Vet to find out what exactly is causing the stiffness. Also, changing your dog's bed to a memory-foam dog mattress can work absolute wonders, I speak from experience with my Greyhound who is 14.5 years old and has arthritis in the base of his spine plus both hips.

When his back legs first began to play up, my Vet suggested Flexadin chewable tablets which contain, amongst other things, Glucosamine Hydrochloride and Chondroitin sulphate. These really helped his condition for about 2 years but more recently, as the arthritis has progressed, he's started on a life-long treatment with Previcox each day (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, available only on prescription) which helps to reduce the inflammation in his joints and tendons, and eases the pain too.

Because his condition is far advanced, the Vet also gave me a few tablets of a human medicine called Tramadol (an opiate analgesic) for any really bad days, but sofar he's only taken 1 of these.

The bed I bought is basically just a slab of memory-foam with removable covers, I got it from a nationwide chain of pet stores but it would be no different from buying a chunk of the foam if you know anywhere that sells it to order, and making your own cover for it. Probably a lot cheaper that way!

danih

My cavalier king charles started to limp a few months ago. He is 7. I took him to the vet, and was advised there was little wrong with him that wouldn't be resolved be losing a few kilos Vet showed me his medical history, Max had gained 5 kilos in the 5 years we have had him. He was underweight, and vet agrees when we got him, but can't argue that he is too fat now. He has now lost his first kilo, and the limp has vanished.

If your collie is overweight, reducing that will ease the strain on his limbs and joints, and improve his mobility - even if if mobility problems are more severe then my experience.