Pain relief in older dog

Question
I saw in your profile that you have experience with older dogs, and I appreciate that.  We just came from the vet with our 12 year-old 55lb mixed breed female.  She's doing just fine for her age, but her hips are beginning to fail her.  The vet prescribed Duramaxx to help with her pain, but at $1.75/pill I don't think I can keep that up.  What do you suggest for general arthritis pain in older dogs?  Can they take Ibuprofen or Aspirin?  What dose?

Answer

Hi Neena,

When pain is at it's worst, a prescription pain medication would probably be the most effective. You might ask your vet if Rimadyl or the generic form of that medication branded under the names Novox  or Carprofen could be given instead of the Duramaxx, because it might be cheaper. Like Duramaxx, Rimadyl is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It provides safe and effective relief of pain and inflammation due to canine arthritis. Another option would be to get a prescription for the prescription pain medication from your vet, and search on line for a cheaper price.

Do not give your dog pain relievers that contain Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Give your dog buffered adult Aspirin or Baby Aspirins. Most veterinarians recommend from 5 mg to 10 mg per pound of the dog's weight during a 12 hour period.  Going on the safe side, a recommended dosage of aspirin of about 5 mg per pound seems to work well for most dogs. It is better to start off small and work your way up to the maximum. If your dog can get relief with a smaller dosage, that is great. For a 55 pound dog, give 3/4 buffered adult aspirin, or 3 baby aspirins twice a day as needed. There are also aspirins made especially for dogs that are meat flavored chewable tablets.

Aspirin can cause gastrointestinal upsets and ulcers in dogs, just as in humans. You should pay attention to your dog's eating habits when you have been giving it aspirin to watch for signs of an upset stomach, such as vomiting or the reluctance to eat. If this occurs, discontinue the aspirin use. To minimize stomach problems, always give food with the aspirin. Safety coated (Enteric-coated) shouldn't be given to dogs, because they have a shorter digestive tract than a human, and coating can prevent the medication form being absorbed before it's excreted.

If your dog's joint denigration isn't too advanced, a daily Glucosamine/ Chondroitin supplement can be helpful at slowing the progression of the degenerative joint disease. Glucosamine is a substance that has been shown to increase the production of proteins that help to repair worn and painful cartilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin are already present in the body, but decreases in production as a dog begins to age. Studies indicate that supplementing with these natural ingredients increases joint health for dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia. Brands to look for are: Syn-flex, Drs. Foster and Smith's Joint Care, Cosequin, and Glycoflex.

You would need to give the Glucosamine/ Chondroitin supplement daily for at least 8 weeks before it's benefits may be seen. After that time period you can try giving your dog less pain medication to see if your dog can get by with less, or even no pain medication.

You'll want to give your about 750 mg of glucosamine per fifty pounds of body weight at a minimum (talk to your vet to see if a larger dose is recommended) it's okay to raise this dosage as necessary if your dog's symptoms are more severe. Look for a product made with Glucosamine sulfate or Glucosamine HCL. If you stop giving the Glucosamine/ Chondroitin supplement, joint denigration will resume in a few weeks time. These supplements are safe, and makes them ideal for long term treatment.

There is also an injectable form of Glucosamine called Adequan which your vet would need to administer, that's supposed to be very effective.

Be sure your dog isn't overweight. Helping a dog maintain her recommended weight may be the single most important thing an owner do for their pet with joint disease. Talk to your vet about the amount of exercise your dog should be getting daily. Usually moderate exercise in the form of a leashed walk is best. Not providing your dog with daily exercise can make her joint disease worse.

Make sure your dog is sleeping on a well padded surface. There are orthopedic foam beds which help many dogs with arthritis. Beds with dome-shaped, orthopedic foam distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure on joints. They are also much easier for the pet to get out of. Place the bed in a warm spot away from drafts. Try to prevent your dog from walking stairs and jumping on and off furniture. Many people build or buy ramps, especially on stairs leading to their yard, to make it easier for their dogs to go outside, or to get into a favorite chair.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti