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Arthritis in Remaining Front Foot
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London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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1
9 March 2017 - 9:18 am
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Does anyone have experience of this?

Thanks

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Germany
Member Since:
14 December 2016
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9 March 2017 - 9:26 am
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depends on what you mean. just had the paw x-rayed and there is arthritis, which didn't really surprise me. Manni was on metacam for two weeks and there is an ongoing discussion on whether he should be put on this permanently -which I am against at the moment.

Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.

Manni's blog -dogblog-

Germany
Member Since:
14 December 2016
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9 March 2017 - 9:29 am
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oh, annnnd of course have been talking to the PT regarding support, like bandages, braces and such of course. Found out Manni stumbles, trips and falls with the things.

Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.

Manni's blog -dogblog-

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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4
9 March 2017 - 9:34 am
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I think Paula (Dobiemom) is dealing with this for Nitro. I'll send her a PM to tell her to weigh-in on this post! 🙂 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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9 March 2017 - 9:42 am
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Thanks, Alison. That's really kind. We saw the rehab vet today. I thought it would be nice as the girls love going there but actually it was rather sobering news for both of them. They are now both booked in for X-rays next week. 

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
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6
9 March 2017 - 9:50 am
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Hi, yes we are dealing with arthritis in Nitro's hind legs/knees....he gets acupunture and I give him adequan injections - liquid glucosamine - that gets into his system much faster than oral supplements. He has kidney issues, so we can't give him anti-inflammatories which is what helps him the most. Most recently I've investigated CBD oil, which also is purported to help arthritis/mobility issues. At this time it's not legal in Wisconsin, but hemp oil is (which also contains the CBD oil). My vet has a contact at UC Davis who is very knowledgeable about this, and also uses it on her dogs, and swears it works. I've ordered some and can't wait to try it out. 

On a brighter note, the usage of CBD oil is on the verge of passing in Wisconsin - so at least we're headed in the right direction.

Paula and Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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9 March 2017 - 10:10 am
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Thanks Paula, that's really helpful. I will definitely look into CBD oil. Meg's already on the full dose of Metacam permanently (her system allowing) to help her with arthritis elsewhere. It's quite severe in her elbow, which has dysplasia. She also has laser and acupuncture. But the foot thing is new, and has rather thrown me. She does seem particularly prone to it - it was end stage arthritis that cost her her leg - and it's frightening how rapidly it can progress. Apparently there's some new drug, which is available in the US, but not yet in the UK. The rehab vet was telling me about it but I can't remember the name. 

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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8
9 March 2017 - 10:16 am
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Btw, Paula. Do you find Nitro's arthritis is affected by the weather? Meg is increasingly reluctant to go out when it's damp. She never worried about rain etc before

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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9
9 March 2017 - 10:38 am
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Quad pug Tani had pretty bad arthritis in her back and all 4 legs, she was first diagnosed at 6 years old.  She started with supplements and slowly ramped them up to max, then add a NSAID (rimadyl) at a low dose and increased, then added pain meds and increased.  She was on rimadyl for years and luckily tolerated it very well.

I was at the point where I thought a decision on life quality would need to be made when we decided to try Adequan injections.  It is expensive and does not work for all dogs, and they also seem to have occasional supply problems.  It worked like magic to Tani!  We started with a loading dose, I think one shot a week? or maybe 2, I can't remember.  Then it was one shot a month.  I learned how to do the shots at home since she was such a bear at the vet.  We got probable two more years with her because of the injections although the last 8 months or so we were doing shots twice a month. 

I also had to convince Tani that riding in the stroller was a good thing- that took several months.

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
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10
9 March 2017 - 10:44 am
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I definitely feel the weather affects him. At first I wasn't sure that could happen with dogs, like it does people, but now I'm convinced it does.

Paula

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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11
9 March 2017 - 10:52 am
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I'm certain of it in Meg's case. She is markedly different when it's damp, not just when it's actually raining, but when there is damp in the air. I've checked and you can get CBD oil in the UK. I'm going to try it. And I shall also look into the adequan injections as needed. It's so good to know there are still things we can try. I was feeling slightly helpless. The thought of all her weight pounding on that single arthritic foot makes me wince, and, try though  I do to moderate her physical activity, she has never been a girl to take it easy. Definitely encouraged by the fact they worked so well for Tani, Karen.

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12
9 March 2017 - 12:03 pm
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Glad you posted. Sooooo much invaluable first hand information that you cannot find anywhere else.

And Elsie Pie needs xrays too? Not sure you wsnt to give her cannabis? Can't get the image of a stoned Elsie Pie out of my head. Kidding!

You have a lot of good options and some clear SOLUTIONS!!!

Hang in there! I'm sure Elsi and Meg thoroughly e joyed their Rehabe visit and could cre less about any conversations you jad with the doctor!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
2 December 2016
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9 March 2017 - 2:11 pm
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" I have never seen Meg put a paw on the ground", so sayeth Ruby Roo DaBear! So, there's that. As long as Meg has a WABBIT in front of her, well, I just see her flying through the air! 

CharlieBear does have issues with his good front paw: so much so that I did not want to admit this BUT texted the head of neuro TWO SATURDAYs ago because I thought (despite ALL the pain/nerve meds he is on )that he had a new bony bump (yes, THAT kind of bump) near his wrist on his good leg and was not walking well at all. The neuro was at the Vet School when I texted and because he knew I was a BIT anxious (cue the horror music) he told me to head on in. He felt the bump, too. Upshot, we had x-rays done and he, the surgeon, and the radiologists all came to the conclusion that there were no real issues but that Charlie likely had arthritis. In his good leg. Sooooooooooooo.....once EmmaBear gets everything straightened away, CharlieBear will be going back. In the meantime, because CharlieBear is ALREADY on all the meds he could possible be on, we just added an additional dose of amantadine. Which helped a lot. Supposedly has no sedative properties (hard to tell with the Pancake DaBear but...) The additional dose is to be used for a few weeks only and then we will back down from it again. 

The upshot is that the head of neuro called me neurotic (as I said, "Maybe I am being neurotic but...") He said, "Oh, there is no doubt that you are neurotic but you could be neurotic AND CharlieBear could also have something going on..." I told him it was a complement coming from him. He did say it takes one to know one...And so it goes. 

I would really love to explore Adequan and CBD oil (of course, I live in Georgia so there is VERY little chance of the second...). Meanwhile, of the two, which do you believe Meg benefits from more: acupuncture or laser? We have not been offered either choice yetsad And, if Meg needs to move from a rainy place to one where the sun shines most days. she would be more than welcome at the DaBears HQ (Ruby Roo's vote notwithstanding.) 

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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14
9 March 2017 - 2:47 pm
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Regarding the CBD oil - I have now seen TWO news stories on this in the last 48 hours. For use with dogs for arthritis, phobias with fireworks, cancer ... you name it. Now I do live in LA where we recently made marijuana legal HOWEVER the vets can't prescribe it for pets (even though they know it works and is good). Also, while marijuana is legal in CA, without a medical card, I am unable to even explore that option for Jasper (for fireworks not arthritis). This angers me greatly!!! It isn't the "get you high" kind that I want but something that would ease July for Jasper since in our neighborhood ... the booms go for weeks. 

Anyways ... I got off track ... my point was ... there is a lot more research coming out about the CBD oil and I hope it goes mainstream and I hope it helps Nitro and Meg (if she can get some in the UK). 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Germany
Member Since:
14 December 2016
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15
10 March 2017 - 2:07 am
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I know for a fact that animals with arthritis are just as prone to be affected by the weather conditions as humans are, although my experience here is more with horses than dogs, but why should that be any different.

Clare, when you say that Meg has been on Metacam throughout: I've only just now talked to the vet about it who said that it is a possibility for Manni at this point. I am not quite ready to do that because I feel that I rob myself (and him) of the possibility to intervene medically if there is something more acute. I feel like most days he's getting around ok, but he was also a little more lively when on Metacam. Did you decide to do that on x-rays alone, or was Meg limping, or what made you decide? Also: do you give something for the stomach with it? I had Manni on two, well, something like Pepcid while he was on Metacam, but I know that this can also have long-term effects, so that, too, I think makes things more difficult. what's your take??

We've done acupuncture and laser as well but I am not the biggest fan of laser, at least. But then that's just me.

Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.

Manni's blog -dogblog-

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