Cardigan Welsh Corgi

[lalaja]

Hi I'm Lala (Layla) and my 9 year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi has been diagnosed with severe arthritis in his hind left knee and the Dr. wants to do TPLO surgery. He's a very mellow dog and I've heard that this is extreme surgery for dogs that are extremely active. We want to help him feel better but don't expect him to be 100%. Has anyone else dealt with this?

[Michael Romanos]

Hi Lala
Very sorry to hear of your Corgi's severe arthritis
Keep his weight down to a little below the ideal because weight pressure does no favours.
Surgery on your Corgi's leg joint is a LAST RESORT but appropriate surgery can reduce pain and improve movement and function.
Treatment options include Cortisone, Visco-Supplementation, Recovery SA and medication such as a combination of deer velvet, sharks cartilage, green mussel etc.

[Jane Austen]

Recovery SA and medication such as a combination of deer velvet, sharks fin, green mussel etc.

Michael, are you a warlock? I expected to see Eye of Newt listed next. June

[Louwants]

Some people have been raving about this pain medication for dogs.

DGP - Dog Gone Pain Revitalizing Supplement For Dogs

Mostly herbs and such, you may want to check it out. I plan to get it when my dogs start getting pain and such.

You could give your dog a non-coated baby aspirin, but, it could cause stomach problems just like in people.

[MyPemCharlie]

Hi Lala,

Sorry to hear about your Corgi's diagnosis. Your question made me think of an article I read several months ago about non-surgical solutions. I am not a vet, and neither is the author of the article a vet. However, they did take a dog though fairly intensive bed-rest alternative and the dog improved without surgery. The article is heavily biased against surgery, but might be worth a read just so you know you might have an option.

Link:
Dog ACL CCL Ligament Recovery Without Surgery No TPLO

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Jane Austen

Recovery SA and medication such as a combination of deer velvet, sharks fin, green mussel etc.

Michael, are you a warlock? I expected to see Eye of Newt listed next. June

I don't know about the deer velvet, but I do know that green mussel is glycoflex and has been used with horses and dogs for years. Glycoflex helped one of my girls years ago. And yes, shark fin is something I've also heard of. They're natural remedies.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by lalaja

Hi I'm Lala (Layla) and my 9 year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi has been diagnosed with severe arthritis in his hind left knee and the Dr. wants to do TPLO surgery. He's a very mellow dog and I've heard that this is extreme surgery for dogs that are extremely active. We want to help him feel better but don't expect him to be 100%. Has anyone else dealt with this?

I know of a dog with an injured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) that has had TPLO surgery and it helped him immensley. I had a dog with an ACL injury and we didn't do TPLO but did the conventional surgery and again it helped her.

IMO, the surgery can give your dog a normal life. If you have questions about it ask your vet and/or get a second opinion. I know it's pretty standard nowdays for ACL injuries, but haven't heard of it used for severe arthritis. You might ask your vet if there are similarities or why he's recommending TPLO for arthritis.

Peggy

[Echo]

There is a product on the market called Rapid Response that is safely
used on horses & humans. It also contains "shark fin". We use it for
horses that experience joint pain due to either arthritis or normal wear
an tear. It might be worth a look see. Linda
Amerdon International Home of Rapid Response

[Michael Romanos]

I visited a vet today to talk about the nine year old Corgi in the USA with the arthritis.
TPLO surgery is usually associated with a damaged joint not a straight arthritic one. It might seve you and your Corgi well to seek a second opinion ie another vet at another clinic.

Bomac's Bomazeal is the name of the New Zealand product for relieving the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. It is not a cure and it does not replace surgery but it is a world leader in what it achieves. I have seen a label and there seems no memtion of deer velvet, but the two main components of the tablets are New Zealand green lipped mussell and shark's cartilage.

Another recommended product for arthritis relief is Sasha's Blend. But Bomazeal seems more effective. These products will be great for giving your Corgi on a permanent basis after he has had major treament for his arthritis. Bomazeal can be purchas through the internet. Sasha's Blend has international distribution.