Gemma is an 8 yearold Rottie cross.
I believe she is getting artheritis. If she lays on hard surfaces she is stiff when she gets up.  I have reduced her diet to try and get some of the excess weight off that i admit she does have.
Questions.
no 1 Is there anything I can give her to ease her joints?? My nanner and uncle use Devils claw for their aches and pains which helps them. anyone know of something that can be used for dogs???
no 2 is there any bedding that you can leave outside??? i very rarely leave her outside for too long, but today I have had the plumber in so they have been shut outside as the front door has been open all day and you can deffinatly see the stiffness in the joints is worse. I need a bed that I can leave outside all the time and not worry about the rain, like plastic covered but soft. any ideas??? It has been raining on and off all day so everytyime it rains I bring them in, but thats no good moving the dog beds every 5 mins.
Any other ideas/advice anyone can give me.
She is worse in the morning and unfortunatly, I suppose now she is getting older, she does sleep in my bedroom so has to climb the steep stairs at night and then go back down them in the morning :( 
Lea :)

Devils Claw can be given to dogs.

Fish Body Oil and Vitamin E is good as is Vitamin C

Kudos produce waterproof orthopaedic beds which are very good.

I have had good results from using New Zealand Green Lip Mussel but only in the less severe stages.  You are doing probably the most important thing of all in getting excess weight off though, I am sure you will notice a tremendous difference just by getting her to a nice slender state.

Hi Lea,

I made an outside bed out of sponge a few years ago.  I must admit, I've been guilty on going to sleep on it too, :-D.  I got a piece of sponge, 4ft by 4ft, approximately an inch and a half thick and then covered it with vinyl.  It's been outside in the rain, frost and snow over the years and it's still going strong.  It cost me roughly £10.00 to make.

I'll be back ref Arthritis, my boss is giving me funny looks, opps :-D

  

Lea, I personally haven't used Devils Claw in the treatment of arthritis in dogs but I do know of a bloke who has used it as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory in horses rather successfully.  I would say it can be used in dogs too.

You asked if there was anything else that could be used in dogs to ease the joints.  In addition to the above, there are....

Chondroprotecive supplements such as Glucosamine and Chronioitin, MSM.
Homeopathic remedies, acupuncture can help too, ultrasound, acupressure, there's loads.
Hydrotherapy is excellent for arthritis.
Magnetic Therapy (although Isabel doesn't agree) ;-)
There are lots of herbal treatments but it might be better going to a Homeopathic vet if you wish to explore this avenue to discuss which may be helpful to your dog.

Hope this gives you a few ideas.

Hi lea. I have a rottie he had problems a couple of weeks ago with lameness in his back leg he was put on antibiotics and that seemed to help but the vet suspected arthritis or hip displasia but that would only be confirmed by x-ray. Touch wood he seems okay now he does appear to be stiff when he gets up from lying down and Im looking around at the moment to find more comfy bedding I have seen bedding with orphapedic foam but it doesn't work out cheap for me as he is only 6 years old and still thinks his a puppy and chews on it.  With some of the great advice offered here on this forum I have him on herbal vitamins such as mixed vegetable (for arthritis, skin & urinary probs) garlic and fenugreek (relief of rheumatism, arthritis and minor infections) and kelp seaweed (rheumatic pain and an aid for obesity) these can be purchased online at Dorwest herbs.  He does seem to be doing fine but Ill give anything a try if is a natural alternative.  Also he is on a weigh in programme at the vets as he does need to lose weight as this doesn't help arthritic conditions.  He is on prescription dog food unfortunately they weighed him wrong and I thought he was 47kg but took him back a week later and he is 56.6kg which is disappointing as I dont know if he has lost weight.  I also walk him every evening for half hour then gradually build it up to 1 hour.  Also you can feed your dog apples and cooked/raw veg like broccoli as a treat as I don't allow dog treats as this can contribute to weight gain.  Hope your dogs feeling better soon.

Benjy has arthritis following a really bad injury to one of his legs and he is doing really, really well on a natural supplement called Mobilise which you can get from www.arthritis-help-for-pets.com  He also wears a crystal 'necklace' which I got from Pet Portal (can't remember their website address!)

I find the beds made by Tuffies are great as they are so hardwearing and easily washed. They are also really thick which is great for dogs with sore joints. Benjy loves it!!!

Hope this helps!

Liz