My GR Tessa is 10yrs, she's very lively and GR silly but she does have a touch of arthritis in her front right shoulder, X-Ray last year showed this up. Her weight is good at 27.5kg, she loves her walks and is the first out of the door when the leads are produced, once out in the fields after the initial burst of energy she settles in to a trot rather than her youthful gallop. 

I have noticed in the last few months that she seems extra stiff when getting up after a period of sleep, she takes a little longer to get up and seems more stiff around her haunches than she used to. She does not complain and there is no evidence of pain. She does seem worse in the cold wet weather so we make sure she is dried off when we get back and the wood burner in the kitchen keeps her warm.

We give her Chondriotin+Glucosamine tablet (500mg Glucosamine 400mg Chondroitin) and Omega 3 tablet every night.

Is there anything else I can give her as her arthritis increases with age or is there anything that anybody would recommend that I can get prescribed by the vet? She has had Metcam in the past but it really upset her stomach and caused blood vomiting and severe lethargy.

My vet is treating my 15 year old and he recommends along with the glucosamine & chondritin, a cod liver oil 1000mg every day, seems like what you are doing is fine, just check the levels

I have a 7 yr old GR who is suffering with DJD and as well as her supplements she has just started on Previcox for pain relief.  She has only been on it for a couple of weeks but so far she has no noticeable side effects and is a lot happier and more like her old self.  I'm hoping an improvement in the weather will help her as well.  I had my girl spayed quite late at 6 years old and i have to say that it seemed to age her noticeably.  I wonder what effect the loss of her female hormones has had on her bones.  She also almost immediately started suffering from spay incontinence.  I had her spayed to protect her from pyometra but can't help wondering if I did the wrong thing for her. :-(

My vet told me the Previcox seemed to give less side effects than Rymadil or Metacam - and from my dog's reaction they seem to be very palatable :-)

Cheers Sarah and Zingiber, I'll add the cod liver oil in as well, I wasn't too sure if too many fish oils might give the squitters but it's worth a try.
May be good idea to see the vet about Previcox, she is a game old bird and doesn't seem to be in pain when getting up but that could be that she just doesn't complain.

I had her spayed after her first season so it's hard to know if that affected her bones.

A few years ago i had a bitch with hd , a rep i knew recommed bomazeal senior tablets , within a week she was up and running  they did work for her , i have an older girl now and she is on hills j-d , im not a great fan of hills but it has really eased her movement.

Hi Newfienook
Are these Bomazeal tabs prescription or can I get them on line?

No not prescription , you can get them online company is called pharmavet based in north wales , they sometimes do buy one get one free too which saves some pennies

Cheers for that Newfienook, I'll check them out :)

Try this

http://www.gwfnutrition.com/prod_jointaid_dog/index.htm

It works for mine.

Checking on that too Boxacrazy :)

My eldest boy has gone really stiff just in the last few months and he's not 11 until November.  Actually taking him to the vets tomorrow as other things are happening too that I'm not happy about.  He still seems happy with life but I just feel as though there's something going on.

Best to check I think and I hope all is well, let us know.

we used previcox too, it actually worked wonders for our old girl

my staffy bitch at 12 was very stiff after sleep, we were recommended a magnetic collar, it did cost £40 pounds and we were very sceptical about wether it would work, but she wore it constantly and didnt hop down the stairs like she did and would trot and run for short distances chasing a ball etc which she had stopped doing berfore, as humans wear them and say the results are good u can think it is mind over matter but a dog the only thing u can see is a change in behaviour and  she had no limping.
Jesse was put to sleep on tuesday due to cancer but she wore her collar until she was gone at aged 15, and now it stays on the hook with my other two dogs harnesses and leads, i have taken it with me on her favourite walks a bit sad but it give me comfort and i do beleive it relieved the old girls aches and pains, but  a vet or the wisedom of the other dog owners here is invaluable.

> Try this
>
> http://www.gwfnutrition.com/prod_jointaid_dog/index.htm
>
> It works for mine.

works great on my older girl too! :-)

Green liped muscle extract and devils claw are good for pain relief and building lost cartilage. 

Cortoflex is another supplement that is recommended for joint problems and I've known of a few people say this had made a big difference.

There's also synoquin.  On more alternative therapies side the following aromatherapy oils are supposed to be good with joint pain, Roman Camomile, peppermint, ginger, black pepper and rosemary, they'd need to be mixed with a carrier oil like sweet almond, rubbed on with a nice gentle massage :-)

My Dog Angus is 7 years old has had his arthritis confirmed in his left knee by the Vet who took x-rays, I bought him a magnetic collar as I was willing to try anything and it has worked wonders, i must admit that it is probably not that bad yet but I give one of the pedigree joint care chews every morning and the two combined seems to work.  Please note that i bought my collar from Kleeneze or Betterware and it only cost me 12 pounds!! 
regards
Jackie

Hi, just searching for some help with my 9yr old arthritic spaniel and came across this page.  She's been on metacam for about 5 yrs now, and a couple of yrs ago I started giving her a glucosamine+chrondroitin supplement and flexible joint oil on her evening meal.  However she's often really stiff on one her legs and I've noticed lately she's not got as much 'sparkle'.  So I'm thinking of trying the Bomazeal.  Does anyone have any advice on whether the Bomazeal tablets would be ok to give her alongside her metacam, and should I replace the current supplement with the Bomazeal or give her all three???

I think you could replace the supplements with bomazeal , but i would just ask the vet about using both , bomazeal and metacam together  .but  as you use  glucosamine already with metacam ,i would think it would be ok .

hi, i have found massage not just to the joints but muscles as well does bring benefit to many animals , itried it on a shetland pony many years ago that had lamonitis , at the start it could hardly move but after around 2 wks it was joggin nicely diet allso was a help but i think the massageing worked wonders, it cant do any harm and may bring great relief. i 1st saw it on tv done by some animal guru and thought drivvel but when it showed the results weeks later i was amazed .