Cushioning arthritis

[Michael Romanos]

It sounds like Bailey and you found each other. You both know how the other feels - there is the emphathy. I have a little back problem which seems as common as the common cold. There is so many different drugs etc to help lesson the affects of arthritis that it would be foolish not to try a good number of them to see what suits best.

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

It sounds like Bailey and you found each other. You both know how the other feels - there is the emphathy. I have a little back problem which seems as common as the common cold. There is so many different drugs etc to help lesson the affects of arthritis that it would be foolish not to try a good number of them to see what suits best.

A good point about the drugs, it makes me think of another thing invloving Bailey.

I have realized that because he is on Rhymadyl (some kind of NSAID, like asprin) he will throw up some time later if he does not eat his breakfast with his morning pill. Especially if exercise is involved. The doctor has him on an antacid, but that does not work as well as eating at the right time. Eating works every single time, 100%. So does not eating.

I might not have figured this out, but I have exactly the same problem, including the exercise making it worse. I could see another dog owner missing this point, because the vomiting happens at different times. Bailey does better with three meals a day instead of two, it keeps the food level in his stomach more even. Of course he gets tested periodically to see how the Rhymadyl is treating him. This is important too. The Rhymadyl is a huge help.

[fogebotom]

I will throw a word of caution out on the long term use of Rimadyl for dogs. It can cause severe liver damage and it is highly recommended that your dog go in for regular blood work ups. I would be concerned about it being harsh enough on his stomach that he is also in need of an antacid.

Are you also giving him ester c, glucosamine, chondrotin and msm? There are also other pain medications/antinflammitories that you can give.

I don't want to get into the AFFCO or what ever the heck it is debate again. I know what I know because I ask the questions to a person who has decades of experience and education in animal nutrition. He's got a doctorate and has worked in the livestock and companion animal feed industry for ages. He even tests the dog food and treats by eating them himself! Not my cup of tea ;0)

Cooking any food, will lesson the nutritional value. Human or dog. Many added nutrients are done just because the manufacturers know it's damaged and lost in the processing.

[Michael Romanos]

Cooking will affect the nutritional value of food if the food is OVERcooked or cooked past recommendations of time and heat levels. Cooked food per se need not be too damaging to the value of the foood.

Yes, many of these drugs if given regularly over long periods of time, can cause harrm to various organs - which is another form of 'side affects.' Let's face it - a good vet would know of all the important repercussions of the affects of drugs for dogs on dogs that have been proven and tested over time.

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by fogebotom

I will throw a word of caution out on the long term use of Rimadyl for dogs. It can cause severe liver damage and it is highly recommended that your dog go in for regular blood work ups..

Yes he goes in often for his blood test.

Originally Posted by fogebotom

I would be concerned about it being harsh enough on his stomach that he is also in need of an antacid. .

Unfortunatly it's typical of all NSAIDS to some degree. One must weigh the side effects and the benefits carefully for each dog. In his case he has two bad hips. To me that's pretty serious. Last year when he was only one, he could not get up one morning after running the day before. It would be a problem if the vet did not think about an antacid.

Originally Posted by fogebotom

Are you also giving him ester c, glucosamine, chondrotin and msm? There are also other pain medications/antinflammitories that you can give..

Yes, he gets those. It's an ongoing treatment plan, he may go on another drug some day. Thanks for your comments.

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Yes, many of these drugs if given regularly over long periods of time, can cause harrm to various organs - which is another form of 'side affects.' Let's face it - a good vet would know of all the important repercussions of the affects of drugs for dogs on dogs that have been proven and tested over time...

Exactly, a good vet is very important.

edit: I went back to using the ramp today.