My old fella

[bobleponge]

My dog, my faithful German Shepherd X elephant companion of the last dozen or so years is starting to show his age.
His grey muzzle looks very distinguished, and his haughty "I've seen it all before" look when I try and get him to do something always makes me smile.

He is starting to limp at the back though, I'm guessing some arthritis/rheumatism thingy. He doesnt seem to be bothered by it, is still very happy and eager to go out for our twice daily constitutionals, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is any form of medicines/homeopathic anything really, to ease whatever is making him limp?

[binley100]

It's probably arthur itis (as me ol' grandad used to say) Do you give him cod liver oil capsules they might help.

[janeyo]

I think that's common of German Shepherds bob, my friends who have them swear by letting them lixk the end of the butter pots out, to help their joints. It is sad when they get older, and less mobile. ight be worth a trip to the vet to rule out anything wrong? Like a thorn or torn ligament?

[bobleponge]

We had a quick pop to the vets a couple of days ago just to rule out anything other than oldness, the vet was good, the boy was excellent as always, just sits there and lets the vet do anything.
He just said its old age, nothing really to be done, cant make him any younger etc etc. Not sure I could get him to eat cod liver oil, its gopping, but will give them a go.

I've realised this could be seen as a very tactless post, in regard of Matthew's loss today, so I apologise, I wasnt thinking very much, it was obviously in no way intended, I'm just worried about my boy.

[snohare]

I once worked at an animal sanctuary where they would take in any animal, whatever its condition. One of their oldest guests was a horse who was due to be put down due to old age and severe rheumatism/arthritis; it literally couldn't walk. Their vet, who was into herbal medicines, gave it a herbal preparation called devil's claw, which worked wonders as an anti-inflammatory. The horse had been there for years if not decades, and was in great health when I saw him, as were other animals like dogs, which they had treated with the same thing.
There are several plants called Devil's Claw, I'm afraid I cannot tell you which one this was although I am pretty sure it is not the American desert plant with the evil thorns...hope this helps bob. ( You can stop sweating now !)

[Bigmallly]

When I had my Great Dane many moons ago, he suffered with Hip Dysplasia which if I recall was popular in German Shepherds / Alsations. We had to give him away when he could no longer manage steps.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

[FionaH]

Equine shops here sell Devils Claw, as Snohare said I have seen it work wonders on horses

[binley100]

You can get cod liver oil as capsules and wrap it in a bit of cheese or just pop it in his food. Stand well back if he burps tho ' . Our dogs have always had them and garlic capsules as they've got older.

[BilboWaggins]

Acupuncture

We had just the same situation with darling Ollie in the last 12-18 months of his life.

He had cod liver oil all his life and I added Rosehip extract which is meant to help with arthritis, don't know if it did. Many people swear by chondritin and glucosamine but you need to give both of them for at least three months to see any effect.

The one thing that made a HUGE and unbelievable difference to Ollie was acupuncture. He went from "trudging around very slowly" back to "sparkle in his eye, barking his head off, bouncing Beardie" within two treatments. Every dog is different and we found he needed a treatment every three weeks in order to maintain the benefit but some dogs, once stablisised, only need top-up treatments every 6 - 8 weeks. There can't be a placebo effect when dogs receive acupuncture - we know it worked and that it gave him another 12 months of nearly pain-free quality life. Don't know if this is feasible for you, but our Pet Plan insurance paid every single penny of the vet fees. Would do the same thing again in a heartbeat for any other animal.

PM me any time if you want to chat more about it.

[elsie-scot]

hi, our shepherd/black lab/whatever, has problems with his joints (back, hips/knees/wrist) and he was needing quite freq anti inflammatory medication and not able to enjoy wlaks over 30mins without stiffening up later in the day, but vet recommended changing to science hill joint care food, it is pretty expensive, but he is a new dog and hasnt needed any anti inflam after a month on the food - he has now been on it for over a year now and has no problems walking for an hour at a time with no probs after

[ginger ninger]

I'm sorry to hear your furry lad's not feeling to good Bob, Its a worry!! Have you tried putting a cod liver oil tablet in a small piece of cheese or chicken...It works with my cat and he hates taking tablets.
His condition could have a lot to do with the cold weather were all having as well, you know yourself how the cold makes your joins feel odd. Try a hot water bottle for the old lad in his bed, he'll love you for it. My cat Looooves my electric blanket

[selfraising]

My cocker spaniel is now 14 and a half. Can't see much, deaf as a door post but still interested in what's going on. I have been giving him joint care sticks which do seem to improve his stiffness. They contain glucosamine amongst other things so might be worth trying some glucosomine and chondroitin.

[scarey55]

My old Lab had arthritis for a long time and we used to give him arthriti-um. I know it sounds a bit Acme-ish but they worked a treat. Mark and Chappell sell them and you can have them delivered here for not too much. Basically, they are glucosamine and I think you can give them human tablets too which might be a bit cheaper. Healthspan also deliver here and I have just discovered that they have a section called vetvits where you can buy glucosamine especially for dogs.

[snohare]

Is it just my imagination, or is there a big "joint effort" going on here ?

[ginger ninger]

Is it just my imagination, or is there a big "joint effort" going on here ?

Ha Ha Ha....Norty Step Lady .