Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 After a day at the vets and an x-ray, we've been told that Riley has arthritis in both his front legs . His lameness has been caused by a fracture in a bit of bone growth that shouldn't be there. He's to have rest and anti-inflamatories and go back to the vet next week. It seems he'll be on them long-term (his blood results were very good though, which is apparently a good thing if that's the case). Why oh why did we cancel the pet insurance 2 years ago . At least we've saved those premiums which will cover the bill of £170 odd. No idea how much the anti-inflamatories will cost long term though . My poor boy, he doesn't seem elderly to me but I suppose he must be (he's about 12, we think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Oh no poor Riley My grandparents' Border Collie has got arthritis too. She has to take medication every day with her food, which she copes with well. Get well soon Riley! That's a gorgeous photo of him by the way I've always wondered, what breed is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Oh I'm so sorry to hear about poor Riley, bless him. He's cuts a fine figure, and certainly doesn't look his age. I know what you mean about pet insurance, but those premiums do add up too. Hope he's able to move around more freely once the drugs take an effect. XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Oh poor Riley, sorry to hear he's got arthritis Hope the meds will help and he'll soon be feeling like his old self. 12 years old is 84 in dog years (give or take ) so I suppose a bit of wear and tear is inevitable, but it's still sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I'm sorry to hear that ANH. Ruby and Cyrus send love and licks to Riley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Poor chap. Don't despair though He is in pain and it has become apparent now because of this piece of bone being broken off. Had this not happened you wouldn't have known. Until now he has obviously been doing very well. Once the inflammation has gone down from this episode he could be supported with less 'aggressive' treatment that will maintain and keep him comfortable (Glucosamine/Chondroitin springs to mind). With rest and his anti inflams he'll be back on his feet in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 poor Riley. the other thing you could do is look at his diet - one of the 'joint support' ones from the vets would help because they contain glucosamine and chondroitin. poss more expensive than what you normally feed, but combined with the medication could work to keep him pain-free for longer and therefore avoid the 'big' bills - monthly cost being easier to manage than a major splurge I guess. Ozzie is no longer insured - it lapsed when I had a broken ankle, cash flow was non-existent, and we cant now reinsure him against joint/arthritic type probs, so we just keep our fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I thoroughly recommend Glucosamine, my 15 year old cat has it & although the arthritis is still there, she finds it managable. Riley's beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Poor chap I hope he's feeling better soon. Mind you if you compare dog ages 12 is quite old there is a chart at our vets which gives a human comparison but can't quite remember what that was. I can recommend Vet-vits for glucosamine/chondroitin tablets I give them to my older grey who has a bony growth in his shoulder. They are £13.90 for 240 if your vet has recommended some you could compare mg and dose accordingly it seems to have delayed any problems he still limps but thats from his corns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Thanks for the good wishes and all the advice, folks . I'll note it all down for when I go to the vet next week. (Riley says thanks too .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Bless him. Good boy Riley, Sorry you're having a rough time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I hope he is soon on the mend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Poor Riley, sending him a HUGE hug. I can well recommend this stuff http://www.jointaid.co.uk/ - made a massive difference to my last dog's mobility and I've recommended it to others who all rave about it too!!! Definitely worth a go and I reckon they'd send you a free sample if you contact them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 ANH - my sister has a Parson's Jack Russell who gets arthritis in her long legs. My sister got her one of those expensive collars with a magnet in..it works wonders! They usually have stalls at county shows, but can get the details for you if needed. Also there is a tonic you can give them - is it called vitapet or Vetsym? I nice doggie massage might help him too. Poor Riley! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I hope he's soon on the mend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Poor Riley, he is such a handsome chap. Our old cat had meds for arthritis and it made a new cat of her, so hopefully he will feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Sorry to hear about Riley. Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM tablets will help a lot. Avoid the veterinary preps as they are hugely expensive ( I should know, I did sell them to clients who insisted on doggie preps) compared to the human equivalents from the mail order specialists such as Healthspan. The amount of these additives in food is also insufficient in my opinion. Don't let him tear down the stairs...........it absolutely hammers the joints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 Thanks OSH . Just to confirm, the human equivalent is OK for dogs? Do they come in the same doseage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Difficult to overdose so just give Riley what you might take yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 I might take some myself . My elbows have been a bit achey for a while now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 It'll be all that ironing. Hope he's improving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Poor Riley - I think he's just so handsome, he looks like such a character. My old dog Sally had arthritis about the same age and used to be very stiff in the hips. I must admit we only used the stuff from the vets, I wished I'd tried some more natural supplements for her. I hope he loosens up a bit soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 I think he's definitely improving, he's weight bearing a little bit now - once the fracture heals we'll really see if there's problems with his mobility. He had no trouble barking and jumping around when someone came to the door yesterday . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 That's a gorgeous photo of him by the way I've always wondered, what breed is he? Sorry, I never answered . We're not really sure, some people say part Staffie, a few people we've met out and about say a bit of Rhodesian Ridgeback. He's a complete mongrel but I think he should be a new breed, he's just the perfect dog . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Sounds like he's feeling better. Vet-vits are from Healthspan and give you dosage according so weight reasonably priced I think I just give ours with food as one tends to be a be picky and wont eat them on their own the other just eats them like they're a treat! Hope the fracture soon heals and he can get back to normal even if he should be taking it easy! One of mine has now ripped a nail off it seems to be one thing after another they're worse than the kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...