Ollie's arthritis

[admin]

I apologise that this is not strictly AIHA/IMHA. Worzel’s friend Ollie has developed arthritic hips in the last couple of weeks & he has started to become a bit stiff. The vet has given me some Previcox. I note with my crazy, paranoid world of AIHA brain that the possible side effects of anaemia, bleeding etc are the same as the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -rimadyl & metacam. I gave rimadyl &/or metacam to my previous dogs without any ill effects, but I am terrified now I know “too much”. I have read everything I can about them & understand that the risk is very small. But there is a risk, as with any drug. Can I ask you all if I am being stupid or sensible by being reluctant to use them? He will of course be having a blood test to check nothing untoward is happening if I decide to give them to him. If anyone has used anything wonderful in a more “natural” & less potentially harmful form that has worked well, could you let me know. All opinions would be gratefully appreciated!
Thank you
Sheena, Worzel & Creaky Bottom

[admin]

Hi Sheena – first, many many thanks for your kind words on the private page. I really appreciate it. Our grief is immense, and we are trying very hard to deal with it – not least for Dora’s sake.
Second, can you find a herbalist? I do know some humans who have benefited from herbal stuff for arthritis (including devil’s claw), so it might be worth it.
Like you, I know I am going to be completely paranoid about giving my beloved animals any drugs in the future…… I really couldn’t bear to go through all this again. Please let us know how Ollie is doing.
xx

[admin]

Hi Sheena

Sorry to hear about Ollie. There’s always something isn’t there? I’m not going to be much use here as I really don’t know whether to advise you give this stuff or not. Is it an NSAID? Is there an increased risk of IMHA with NSAID use? Has Ollie ever suffered any other immune related problems? It is so difficult, I know. I have difficulty treating Mable for fleas and worms, and am dreading vaccination time, but then unlike her sister, her immune system doesn’t appear to have had any issues. Again, I’m not sure what to advise, but these might be some things to ask yourself before making a decision. I’m hoping some others can advise. I know my step-mum’s dogs always seemed to be on Metacam and had no problems.

I like Lynda’s idea of a herbalist. It brought to mind another possibility – and now you really will think I am bonkers – is Reiki. Someone recommended Reiki for Molly when she had IMHA, and yes, I thought they were bonkers and did no more about it, but since then I’ve come across it for animals more and more, and apparently it can be “sent”.

And now I’m going to bow out before you laugh your head off at me ;)

Mary and Mable x

[Vally]

Sheena, I am the QUEEN of arthritis supplements (and Ebay) !!! Yes you may all bow.

I have a list of everything that gets added to Bingo’s food and I’ll email that to you over the weekend (I’m out tonight) with the dosages I use. There’s (sit down everyone) green lipped mussels, gelatine (thank you Lynn) , vitamin C (BUT I believe this is only for rheumatoid – some discussion about it making osteoarthritis worse), turmeric, ginger, msn powder, blackstrap molasses. I think that’s it but I need to check.

Now of course I wouldn’t suggest you add all these at once or Ollie will have tummy problems.

I really really recommend the green lipped mussels, although they’re not cheap. Bingo gets 1 capsule (500mg) twice a day. I’ve recommended these to heaps of people and dogs and everyone admits I am QUEEN!!! Lady at work, her dog had hip dislapsia and vet was suggesting surgery. She could hear his hip clicking when he walked. I suggested she try the GLM and her dog is now doing fabulous. No issues, no clicking. She still gives 2 a day but he’s a springer spaniel. Bingo probably gets more than he needs, but I’m too scared to change anything. She has recommended it to someone she sees in the park (can’t remember details) but he’s better AND labrador down the road, only a 2 year old (bit overweight), was becoming very reluctant to walk anywhere, had trouble getting to his feet. They had been to the vets about it and were discussing going to a specialist. I suggested the GLM but I knew they weren’t going to try it. I had a small bottle that had come free with the larger bottle that I buy and I gave that to her. I saw the dog about 2 weeks later chasing a ball in the park. She came and told me he was fabulous. He plays basketball with her kids now, goes for walks, really great (still overweight).

The others that are my favourites and should not cause any issues are the gelatine and turmeric. Knox gelatin brand is cheap as in USA, but I can’t get that here so I’m not sure in France. It has no preservatives. I pay a fortune for Great Lakes Gelatin which I can get here (imported from USA) which is the only one available here with no preservatives.

I know you’re not keen on supplements, so do your research, but I’ll email you. I make them up in little pots as Bingo is somewhat impatient at meal times. Whenever he hears me making up the pots, he smells the GLM and thinks it’s a treat for him.

Love Vally & well oiled.

[admin]

Lynda
I can’t express in words how sad I feel for you all. Bless you for taking the time to write during this devastating time. Herbal sounds good – I will look into it. This disease is truly evil & turns us all into extreme worriers who look at the worst possible scenario for everything. Look after dear Dora & yourselves- love to all, Sheena xx

[admin]

Thank you all – Mary, I would never discount anything – my dear friend in the UK trained in Reiki & I do believe these things have value. We don’t know precisely how acupuncture works, but it does & has been used for thousands of years. With regard to supplements, I am not a huge fan of adding lots of supplements for dogs with AIHA as I am a “don’t rock the boat ” person with serious diseases like that. Some supplements are better & safer than others, of course. I’m going to get the GLM, Vally & will look forward to your list which looks very good. Ollie doesn’t have AIHA or any problems that I’m aware of, so I need to get my head round this. The serious side effects of these NSAIDs are rare, but I am still unsure.

They are detailed on this pdf
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ApprovedAnimalDrugProducts/DrugLabels/UCM050408.pdf
Rimadyl, Metacam & Previcox all the same side effects.
Ollie always has oral metacam after his vaccinations because he has an injection site reaction problem – this applies to any type injection including antibiotics, but he only has one dose.
Scary note – Worzel was prescribed Previcox for his broken toe – unbelievable – when I looked at the side effects, I was very cross with the vet, actually. Needless to say I didn’t give them to him. It shows how careful we have to be – I take no risks with Worzel.

I don’t want Ollie in any pain though. That’s not fair on him, so I have to do something. I will go for Green Lipped Mussels, Vally. Let’s try that & see what happens.

Thanks again everyone
Sheena, Sick Note & Creaky

[Vally]

Sheena, some time ago (before the AIHA days) Bingo hurt his back and was put on Rimadyl (or perhaps it was Metacam). I got home and read the side effects and thought forget it. That was actually when I first started Bingo on the GLM, double loading dose and he was fine after about the second day – no issues at all.

Now I don’t really believe it could have worked that fast, he was probably putting on an act before hand, but I’ve simply kept him on the mussels as I had been warned by the vet back then that he was a likely candidate for a slipped disc.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Mary-Jane]

Vally, that’s amazing about the green lipped mussels. I’m going to investigate whether it’s used in cats. What a mix of things Bingo has! It sounds like it does the job, and has helped others too. You are definitely queen of this!

Sheena – what sort of vaccine site reactions does Ollie get? Are we talking a “normal” post vaccine hot/red localised area, or is it a longer term thing? The reason I ask is that Molly suffered a site reaction which initially disappeared after some months, only to reappear as two large masses requiring surgical removal and histology. They were benign fat necrosis (rare, but everything about Molly was rare!) but this was the reason we stopped vaccinating her. In cats, there is a rare but serious cancer which can develop at vaccine and microchip sites. Now, before I scare you half to death, it is rare in cats and exceptionally rare in dogs, but I’m just trying to establish the nature of Ollie’s site reactions, and whether you think it’s an immune related issue or more dermatological perhaps. You know me and my obsession about immune linked conditions.

It’s interesting you mention acupuncture. I’ve no idea what the evidence behind it is, or even if there is any reliable evidence, but many people swear by it – even my consultant recommended it.

Mary & Mable (who might like mussels too)