American Bulldog Joint Issues

Question

sonny's pic   QUESTION: Here is my situation, i have an 18 month 95 pound American bulldog "Sonny". About a month a go he started limping with his rear right leg being lame. Brought him to the vet. They thought he tore his cruciate ligament. So we brought him to Michigan State University hospital. They wanted to perform the TPLO surgery on him for approve $3700. we choose to wait to see if the leg would get better. Well it did it took about 3 weeks till we saw any progress. We brought him to another vet for a second opinion expecting to do the MRIT Surgery which was a little cheaper ($1700) and he seemed to think that he just sprained his knee. After receiving this info "Sonny" was lame on his left rear leg.  We have had all the joints X rayed. The left rear leg appears to be sprained as well. The new issue is there is very aggressive arthritis in his left front elbow. When he walks you hear an occasional clicking coming from that elbow. Sorry for the story but my main question is how would you handle the situation>? Any other joint issue to share and if so how did you handle them. We are already about $1,000 with vet appointments, medicine, glucosamean, x rays. We love our dog very much and want him to live a full life.


Marie Peppers - Pet Nu   ANSWER: Wow Mike!  Your kid has some genetic issues going on here.  He is way to young to be having this ( all ) the problems.  Make sure the breeder knows about this.... So they don't keep breeding this problem into the line.

Ok, Yes, I can help your boy.  Glad you saw the second vet and got that every so important Second opinion.

Ok, He looks like a beautiful dog and with some good food, supplements and range of motion, he could have a long productive life.
Yes, Hold off on all surgeries.  The two back legs are always a problem.  When one goes ( the patella or the ligament), guess what??? **the other one soon goes, too.
A chronic problem for this breed and many other breeds.

I have some ideas to go along with what the " second opinion" vet is doing: Here is what I would like to see:

First - Make sure we keep this boy's  weight down. ....  He looks wonderful, but the key to his leg ( limb) health will be a lean body. Let me know what you are feeding / We many need to change him to a weight loss formula mixed with his regular adult dog food.
Again, the key is KEEPING his weight down.  He will not be able to exercise as he once did... I will need to put some limits on how you exercise him.  I will get to that after we talk supplements ...

Next, Supplements - there are a few this boy will need for a life time- This will help to reduce any pain, stiffness and swelling that may happen over time.  There is no guarantee this boy will not get arthritis in the 3 limbs that are bothering him.  But, with good supplements he can have a pain free of low-pain life.

1.  NuJOINT Plus - this is Wonderful - We have many clients taking this - only purchased thru Holistic Vets - you can use my referral and call the Manufacturer - they will get it right out to you.
Call 1-800-474-7044  ( give my name : Marie Peppers and code : 81098)
Tell them his weight and ask them about the 15% off Discount:
I will place a link to this product below:  Again, write down my name and order code - they can't sell to the public without it.
( made FDA quality here in the USA)

2.  NuVET Plus - GREAT immune system booster and skin/coat healer/ All NuJOINT doggies take NuVET Plus also.  I have place a link below for your review on NuVET - Gives a 60 day Money Back guarantee on the two products.
NuVET will cost you about 1.20 per day - He will need 2 wafers at .60 cents each ( MOST dogs only need one but he is a big boy)
UNDER 75 lbs - they only need about 1 per day....

3.  Omega 3 from Nature's Sunshine:

This is wonderful and FRESH from the FDA grade manufacturer here in the USA.
He would need 2 per day - here is the link to order:
Because of his size 2 per day - human grade product:
YOU can take some too!  Good for your muscles and bones....joints>

http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=1515

As for Exercise -

Leash walking - NO fast start or stops....
What I mean is No ball play - that is a fast start and stop...
Do you know what I mean...
A nice brisk walk is fine.  Try not to allow him to run off leash.
He may go to fast and then stop too fast. Controlled walks and not quite a run - very brisk walking.

Here are the links to NuVET and NuJoint and TESTIMONIALS:
Keep in contact with me!
I am here for you two...

NuVET wafers:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098

NuVET - order code 81098  ( Ingredients)
http://www.nuvet.com/ingredients.asp

NuJOINT Plus -
https://www.nuvetlabs.com/order/default.asp?cat1=Dog+Products&cat2=NUJOINT+PLUS

TESTIMONIALS...
Happy clients:
http://www.nuvet.com/testimonials.asp





Please let me know how he does within 30 days after being on the supplements and controlled activity.

Marie Peppers LPN MA



Ask pet Nurse Marie:  ( see me here:)


Marie Peppers / All Experts / Alt Meds for Pets

http://www.allexperts.com/expert.cgi?m=1&catID=3721&expID=98627

Dog Food Expet/  Marie Peppers

http://www.allexperts.com/expert.cgi?m=1&catID=3799&expID=96050








---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your quick responce, i will be ordering what you recomended today. Also the doctor we most recently saw gave Sonny a prescription for Rymadyl. Any feelings on that drug. The plan was only to give it to him for a month in hopes to make him feel a little better. I have read some mixed reviews about the drug.  what do you think?

Answer
Hi Mike - Glad you ordered the NuVET and NuJOINT for your kid...
The Rymadyl is ok for a short term.  This boy is too young to be on this drug for very long.  The NuJoint will kick in within a few weeks!
The NuVET and the NuJOINT will do wonders for this boy - I hope to see you two on the NuJOINT testimonials page...( someday!!)

So, the Rymadyl is for very short term only.  Too harsh on the liver!
NuVET and NuJOINT is long term and very very safe for his body systems...

Give me an update in 30-40 days after taking the NuVET - NuJOINT and oils ( omega 3s)

BEST of luck

Marie Peppers LPN MA
The Doggie Chalet
http://www.apluspetcare.com