Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Any advice on next steps for arthritis treatment? I've noticed that Rumbles rarely sits or stands anymore. He gets up to move from place to place, but immediately lays down once he gets to his destination. And hopping is starting to look like a BIG effort, especially in the morning.
He's been on Dasuquin since his amputation (15 months on 8/23) and on Rimadyl for about 5 months, when he started to have some trembling in his back legs.
He's eleven years old "right about now" (we don't know his real birthday, but the vet guessed 'early August' when Rums was a pup).
Does the Dasuquin you are using contain MSM?
Magnum had trouble with arthritis when she still had 4 legs. We had her on a glucosamine supplement. But, when we switched her to a glucosamine / chondrotin / MSM supplement (Jointguard) we saw a HUGE improvement in her mobility. It was truely amazing. I believe it was the MSM that made the difference (I had also heard of MSM making a huge difference for human arthritis sufferers).
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Sorry, also, if you aren't already giving Rumbles omega 3 oils then I would also suggest that as well.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
I'm afraid I've never had a dog make it long enough to have arthritis issues... 
So, have no advice, but just wanted to say I hope you find some ways to make him comfy!
Keep on keepin' on, Rumbles!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Quad pug Tani (Spirit Maggie's little sis) is now 12 and has pretty severe arthritis in all four legs and her back. She is on supplements including Dasuquin and fish oil, and rimadyl. About 4 months ago she started having episodes where one of her back legs wouldn't work at all when she got up. It only happened once a week at first, then progressed to every day. After a few min the leg would work again but it was pretty scary to watch and quite unsettling for her. The hock in that leg is really deformed from the arthritis- but the issue seemed to be with her back.
I started her on chiropractic treatments and it made a huge difference! The dead leg episodes stopped (until tonight oddly enough) and overall she is moving much better. I know chiropractic vets are not available everywhere - but I am a huge believer now.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I haven't had a reason to use it, but I've heard others talk about Synflex. You might want to take a look at it and see if it might help Rumbles. Hope he gets to feeling better soon.
If Rumbles likes to swim that may help also.
Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Rumbles.
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
21 Month OS Warrior…and counting!
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
I have Porthos on MSM, Glucosamin, Chondroitin, I also started him on Rosehip, high dose omega 3 and 'pain ease', he is doing very well so far.
I did have him on Synflex, which was wonderful, they do a special pet version, but I read on the label that it has Omega 6 in it and I believe (though I am definitely no expert!) that you should try and stay away from Omega 6 if there is cancer involved, so I take it now instead!
Big hugs to Rumble! x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Here is some info about Synflex which helped Spirit Jerry tons, and now me too. If you get it using this link you can help Tripawds with every purchase (hint hint! 
)
I don't have cancer though, so i can't comment on the Omega 6. But it has really helped me feel good, I used to get creaky on my walks because I have displaysia. I have it every day now and I don't get creaky anymore.
As far as my Momma knows, everyone needs a small amount in their diet, I don't think you can get away without any at all can you? Porthos can you point my Momma to the information you found to edumucate her about it? Thanks!
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
I would strongly suggest Adequan injections. They are easy to administer (SQ) and if your vet will sell it by the bottle the cost is not too bad. You start with 1 injection twice weekly for 4 weeks then maintain on once monthly. I have Loki on both Adequan and Dasuquin as well as fish oil and he rarely needs to take Tramadol or meloxicam for pain. He has hip dysplasia and has had elbow surgery but most days you would never know it!
Pam
Oh rumbles!! Chloe is also on Dasuquin (which says it has MSM in it for those of you wondering), but I know that the day of arthritis is coming. Recent full body x-rays showed the beginning signs of arthritis at the age of 11.
We hope you find rumbles some relief and that he can still be an active pup! It certainly is hard having an aging 3 legger... Keep us updated on his progress with whatever you decide!
-Nicole and Chloe
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Hey there Wyatt Ray Dawg!
Disclaimer- I am in no way qualified in veterinary or natural medicine (oh, but how I wish I were right now!)
Here are a couple of links on Omega 6 and cancer,
http://www.scie.....143439.htm
http://www.natu....._diet.html
Porthos gets a natural source of Omega 6 in his meat so I dont give him any extra Omega 6 if I can help it, I do give him extra Omega 3 though.
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
rumblesmom said
Any advice on next steps for arthritis treatment? I've noticed that Rumbles rarely sits or stands anymore. He gets up to move from place to place, but immediately lays down once he gets to his destination. And hopping is starting to look like a BIG effort, especially in the morning.He's been on Dasuquin since his amputation (15 months on 8/23) and on Rimadyl for about 5 months, when he started to have some trembling in his back legs.
He's eleven years old "right about now" (we don't know his real birthday, but the vet guessed 'early August' when Rums was a pup).
Hello sorry to hear about Rumbles's condition, but I have good news for you! I have found a product that changed my dog's life literally!. Its called Chondropaw, is all natural so I don't have to worry about damaging his liver or any secondary effect and it really works. My 10 year old boxer Dvorak had not only a very serious hip dysplasia but arthritis and the vet had told me that i should consider put him to sleep . I was so sad and desperate, my husband's co-worker told us about this product, si I tried it as the last resort, I wasn't ready to say goodby to my Dvorak yet. I can say today after 6 months that I got him back!. I'm so thankful and happy! After two months I stopped all pain medication He is walking without pain, not struggling to stand up and he even has more energy. Don't give up, you should've seen my dog's condition was very bad!. If you want to try it here is their website http://www.chondropaw.com. Good luck 
I have good news for you! I have found a product that changed my dog's life literally!. Its called Chondropaw
Hi Pia, thank you for sharing this product information with us, it's good to know what our options are. However as a head's up to our members, I noticed that you have said this exact same thing in other dog-oriented discussion forums on the web. If you are being paid for doing so, we ask for complete disclosure. And if this is the case, you can let the company know that we would be more than happy to review their product, and prefer that kind of up front approach instead.
Thanks for your understanding.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
tazziedog said
I would strongly suggest Adequan injections. They are easy to administer (SQ) and if your vet will sell it by the bottle the cost is not too bad. You start with 1 injection twice weekly for 4 weeks then maintain on once monthly. I have Loki on both Adequan and Dasuquin as well as fish oil and he rarely needs to take Tramadol or meloxicam for pain. He has hip dysplasia and has had elbow surgery but most days you would never know it!
Pam...thanks for this advice. I spoke with Rumbles' vet about it today and he agrees that it's a good 'next step'. He suggested that I buy it on petmeds.com and then bring the bottle to him and he'll teach me how to do the injections.
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