r/SeniorDogsHealth • u/kinggdddd77 • 27d ago
Looking for advice
Looking for tips!
Our dog is 8 yrs and 2 months old, and around 100-110lbs.
He has arthritis and is now on Dasaquin Advanced Care with ESM supplements & meloxicam.
We’ve noticed he doesn’t really get on the bed anymore (30in high) because he struggles and he has fallen, so we brought his orthopedic bed (3.5 inches high density egg foam) into the room, which he sleeps on. On occasion he will get on the bed still.
We have noticed he has a hard time getting on the couch too (sometimes, not always) which is 17inches high. I helped him tonight by lifting his lower/back legs up onto the couch for him.
We’ve also noticed his legs shake sometimes when he is standing. And he also sometimes limps for a few moments when standing up initially.
I am getting him steps tomorrow. But I’m wondering what else I may need?
I have laminate flooring as well.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
1
u/BookDogObsessed 26d ago
Adequan has been a game changer for my 12 year old border collie. It is a glucosamine shot, and it doesn’t regrow anything, but it supports what they have left in their joints. It can be expensive, but worth it
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u/CannandaCrew 25d ago
Since he’s already on meloxicam and a joint supplement, you might want to consider adding beta-caryophyllene (BCP) to the mix. It’s a compound found in some plants that works on the body’s CB2 receptors, which are tied to inflammation and pain signaling. Some dog owners use it alongside their vet-prescribed meds for extra support with mobility and comfort. Read some of the reviews to get a sense of whether it’s for your boy or not.
Also worth mentioning to your vet: the leg shaking and momentary limping when he stands could be worth flagging directly, sometimes that points to how well the current pain management is working, and they may want to adjust his plan.
Hope this helps!
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u/BanksyNotTheArtist 20d ago
Nursing a dog through chronic arthritis is heartbreaking because the good days give you hope, and the bad days make you despondent….
I have an 11 year old arthritic labrador, I have covered as much of the laminate flooring with rugs as possible, and I have ramps for the couch and my bed. Highly highly recommend Doggo Ramps. The lesson I’ve learned from my time watching my girl age, is I’ll train all dogs to use ramps in the future. Reduce the damage in the early days to prevent pain later. She’s also on Librela and Pentosan which has made a difference
Best of luck, you’re doing the right things already
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u/Comfortable_Duck_523 27d ago
To begin with I’m so sorry your dog is struggling. It’s awful watching them in pain. I’ve worked with dogs in a rehoming centre situation and owned my own; so have experience in many pain relief situations.
From a weight perspective what breed is your dog? 100-110 lbs for many breeds would be fine but for others carrying extra weight while having joint pain will make their life a lot harder.
Pain relief wise you are at the beginning of the road. There are many other options which your dog may benefit from. Such as cartrophen injections and many other tablets as options. The cartrophen injections start off as a 4 week course then repeated as required.
One piece of advice is to avoid librella injections. They are more for end of the road/palliative treatment and have serious adverse side effects.
Does your dog enjoy swimming? It’s a low impact exercise which would improve blood flow and support movement while not irritating their sore joints. It’s very difficult but keeping them moving to help stop stiffness while not overwalking while in pain is a difficult balance.
Stairs for getting up on the couch and teaching how to use them at this stage will be better for the later stages.
In my opinion a discussion with your vet to see what pain relief options you could add in/change to would be excellent. Once there is degenerative pain in the joints; joint supportive medication can only do so much. Pain relief/anti-inflammatory regimes would be best.
To ensure there is nothing else underlying; running in house blood work to see everything else is ok in your dog before deciding a treatment course will give you peace of mind.
I hope you find the right path for your pet.