What will help my aging Golden Labradors arthritis?

Question

She is already on prescription meds from the vet, and doing ok most days. Will massaging the afflicted shoulder help? If so what's the best way to massage a dogs shoulder? I use heating pads and she has a heated orthopedic bed, but was wondering if there was anything else that might help my girl?
She is such a wonderful dog and I want to make her senior years as comfortable as possible. So any suggestions or websites with good tips to relieve discomfort would be wonderful.

Answer 1

YES!!! Massaging helps! My dogs are getting older and its like when you get your feet rubbed after a long day, they like their feet rubbed too, Massage it, but not to hard! Hope she feels better

Answer 2

What is she taking? Is it an antiinflamatory,like Rimadyl or Deramaxx? If it is,then you should add Cosequin,(a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement just for dogs) and Wellactin ( a salmon oil supplement) These helped my dog immensely with her arthritis.I bought the human versions,which are Cosamin DS ( you can get it at Wal Mart,it's about 20.00 cheaper than the stuff from the vet,but it's made by the same company and is essentially the same thing,my vet recommended it) and Rexall Salmon Oil 1000mg.Softgels.You would start with three Cosamins per day for a month,and then go down to one or two a day,along with 3 Salmon Oil Softgels per day.Organizations that train seeing eye and other service dogs are adding these supplements to all of their dogs' diets when they are still puppies,because they also help to prevent joint problems.Turmeric is good,too,you can buy it in capsule form.All of these are safe to give with the prescription drugs.You might also try adding fish( fatty fish like mackerel,salmon and sardines) to her diet,and using warm packs on her joints.Gentle exercise ( walking) is good,and weight reduction if she is too fat.Good luck.Oh,and massaging does help!

Answer 3

First, if she is over weight at all, even an ounce, it's time for her to go to on a diet. Extra weight buts more stress on the joints. This will help a lot.
My second suggestion in the Hill's new diet J/D. The orthopedic surgeons love this diet, there is no magic bullet, but this does seem to help dogs. You can also start giving glucosmaine, ask your vet for how much you can give your dog.
Also you can start exercising your dog more, a little bit each day, or start swimming with your dog or have your dog swim. It gets the joints moving and the blood flowing.
There is also physical therapy for dogs that can help those joints. And there is also acupuncture for animals that can help with pain, it can relax your dog and help with massaging. An animal acupuncturist or a doggie PT can help you how to give a good massage for your dog.

Answer 4

Flexicose is very good and has made a huge difference in my older dog. Be aware that Rimadyl and Deramaxx have MANY side effects and have killed a lot of dogs. Not sure if that is what your vet gave you but do some research on them. I would never put my dogs on those drugs.
Vet techs and others might jump in to say thumbs down or bla bla bla Rimadyl helped my dog.. Yes, well it does help a LOT of dogs except the ones it kills.
It's not ok with me if my dog dies just because someone elses lived.
Flexicose and White willow bark from the health store.. (Its aspirin with out all the fillers and addatives)

Instead of feeding crap like Hills Science diet all grains and toxins with extra vitamins in it, it makes more sens eto feed a DECENT food and add in your own omegas and flexicose. Hills sucks. ALL of their food is over priced Old Roy. Compare labels!
Dont be ripped off by Hills SCience Diet.

Answer 5

My two senior cats LOVE snuggling up to the healing vent in the winter to help their arthritis - so the heated bed must be wonderful for your dog. They are on fish oil and glucosomine - I know I've seen studies that the latter is helpful for dogs. Some people have also found relief for their dogs with acupuncture. Also, getting any extra weight off helps.

Massaging may or may not help the arthritis, but lots of loving touch will help her spirit. she is lucky to have such a caring owner.

Answer 6

Massaging probably won't help. Ask your vet if you can give her pain killers, like Advil, if she has a bad day. And, as always, keep your pets interests first- if it gets too bad, don't be afraid to let her go. I know it hurts, but sometimes it's in their best interest. Best wishes.

Answer 7

You can always give her something like Bayer or Advil if she is having a good day. Exercise can help to, it doesn’t have to be a long walk, 10 minutes.