My dog has Arthritus in her back legs. what can i do?

Question

I hav an older labrador and she has trouble with her back legs, they can be weak sometimes and painful for her..
is there anything i can do to help, apart from not let her run around too much?

Does anyone know how much the vet pills are usually?

and is that the best way ...

I have noticed it helps if she gets rest, but then she start puttin on weight, when i mssage her legs if shes struggling i will hold her back end up while i massge her muscle in the back legs...

Answer 1

Aw sweet pup!
Yes there is a supplement called Glucosamine Chondrotin. You can buy it from your vet or petstores, you can also use Glucosamine meant for people. It is used to lubricate their joints and it works WONDERS for older large dogs. Ask your vet, it will really make pup feel much better and happier.
Also don't let her jump down from things. Get a ramp for your car or if your bed is high.
Do you have stairs in your house? Consider setting up all her stuff on one floor. Stairs can really be painful for older pups.

Answer 2

Is the dog in pain? More importantly, is the dog border line old? Because if so, then it might be time to consider putting the dog down because of the pain. I grew up with a beautiful white german shepherd, named carly, my whole life. She was loving, loyal, and truly the best dog any could ask for or expect. But a little over a month ago, soon to be two months, we set her appointment to put her down. You see, it started with arthritus, and she was in pain. No medication that the vet or doctor suscribed seemed to work. Then eventually, she seemed to loose feeling in her back legs, when she couldn't walk up the stairs, couldn't run, could hardly walk. She just sat on the ground all day. It was time to free her of her pain, and we all went in the room. She was still perky and sweet, it's just the fact that her body couldn't keep up. I miss her everyday, and though we've added a new addition, carly is and always will be the best, no competition. If your dog is older, and the arthritus is getting worse, and more painful, medication won't help anymore. You have to consider it may be time to put your dog down. And just a side note, when people put down their dogs, they don't think they're strong enough to watch, so they don't go in while the process is done. It's cruel. Your dog has given you so much unconditional love, and loyalty and patience, that the least you could do is surround it with loving and familiar company when its soul leaves it's body. Hope I helped.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

She should see a vet, a holistic vet will avoid meds, but may have natural cures that can be cheaper in the long run and very often more beneficial at making her life longer and less painful. Meds don't fix it, they just cover up the pain, not that I'm against traditional vets. Until you can get her to the vet, you can give her 1/3 of a tylenol, but I'm not positive on the dose, so maybe you can search the web. I just know that when my mom's dog was having pain, she'd hide a small bit of tylenol in a piece of hotdog and feed it to her, but I don't remember how much. DON'T give her the whole pill, and this is only a temporary fix....get her to the vet.

Answer 5

Your vet should be able to put some Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs up to relieve the pain, this can be used in conjunction with glucosamines (available at most supermarkets chemist or through you vet). Green lipped muscle is also a great thing to use. Some diets (ie mobility support royal canin) contain green lipped muscle. Speak to your vet for advise or some clinics offer nurses clinics for elderly pets they can advise you. Keep exercise limited, avoid stairs and jumping on furniture. Also ensure that he has a well padded bed and plenty of room to stretch. Keeping completely confined will make his joints seize. Also warm compresses can make them more comfy.

Answer 6

I forced my lab to stop going up and down stairs too much since it hurt his hip and often he slipped down. I suggest during night or day keep gates up so dog wouldn't go up /down too much also, help the dog into the car if going for a ride. I also used some arthritis kind of pill that the vet recommended (organic pills-all natural) i noticed a bit difference in my dog in about couple days, the pain seems to fade away. Hope this is helpful.

Answer 7

My Rot tie also has arthritis in her hind leg. Currently, she is taking Rimadyl ( a prescription) and I and trying to get her weight down. You can give her Baby aspirin (5 grain tablet per 30 lbs every 6 to 8 hours.) But never give her tylenol, aleive, or adult asprin because that can be lethal. When it really bothers her, I put a warm compress on her hind leg.

Answer 8

Vet can sort you out with pain killers as well as glucosamin to stop the arthritis advancing. You can take care of your dogs diet and keep her weight in check since any extra load is bad for her. Light exercise will be good, but try to keep her from stairs and jumping.

Answer 9

I have 2 gsd,one 14 the other 11 and they have the same .they are on rimadyl tablets from the vet and they really do work.some say have side effects but mine diont and anyway would rather they have two more years pain free and running than the other alternative.£1 a day per dog tho!

Answer 10

arthritis is a very painful condition for pets. the vet will perscribe some painkillers and anti-inflamatories, but also you could try a herbal medicine that we have for ourselves and can find in most good health shops called " Glaucosamine" but you will still need to see a vet so they can tell you the dosage, another thing you could try would be a hot water bottle wrapped in a teatowel and gently place on the effected area, but make sure its not too hot for the pet. Another thing you could try would be an electric blanket for her to lie on herself, it may help, if you go for the electric blanket, follow all the health and safety advice that comes with it.