Old dog, need advice (Cortisone shots or Rimadyl)

3dognite · 12-12-2012, 05:16 PM

I have a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, he's nearly 13. He's in good health but is getting stiff and in the winter, can almost not climb up the steps.

The vet has given us a couple of options: Cortisone injections and Rimadyl.

Thoughts on which is better? Alternatives?

GrammaD · 12-12-2012, 05:32 PM

Adequan injections helped my spondylosis sufferer a great deal
Adequan Canine - Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.

Traumeel is proving quite effective for my current old timer
Traumeel

3dognite · 12-12-2012, 05:42 PM

Thank you!

Freestep · 12-12-2012, 05:49 PM

Ask your vet what kind of side effects a cortisone shot would give. I know that with oral corticosteroids, you can have issues like excessive thirst/excessive urination, weight gain, etc. and you can only use them for the short term or they cause serious metabolic problems.

Has he had a blood chemistry panel done? Rimadyl is helpful for many dogs for pain relief, but it is hard on the liver, so you'll want to know how his liver is functioning right now. If his liver isn't doing well, you probably want to look into other options.

harmony · 12-12-2012, 05:49 PM

I have a few really old dogs too and they take pain med too, but one is getting bad enough I might have to do what I do not want to!

harmony · 12-12-2012, 06:00 PM

I have two bottles of Tramadol . And we have done alls kinds of pain med but like anything it takes it toll.

phgsd · 12-12-2012, 06:05 PM

I also have good luck with Adequan injections with my arthritic dog. She was starting to get very stiff but perked up a lot after a few shots. I am able to give them to her at home, so that saves us a trip to the vet every month.

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 12-12-2012, 06:20 PM

Oh Corgis! Adorable! Good to see you 3dog! I would have sworn you were in VT!

DogAware.com Health: Arthritis in Dogs more info than you probably ever want!

Adequan for Dogs is a good article on Adequan, plus the website of the manufacturer has good info too. It's 8 loading doses - 2 a week for 4 weeks. Then you go from there - depends on the dog how often they need it (1-2x a month).

Holistic Care for Pets at the bottom she also has really good information on pain in stages - I find her info easy to read/get.

M&J · 12-12-2012, 06:50 PM

Zeel and Traumeel. I read a study that Zeel works just as well as rimadyl after 30 days of use. I put three tabs in the water bowl, and three tabs of Traumeel in Rudy's food.
Working well. I also use Cetyl M and hyaluronic acid, but I think the Zeel/Traumeel combo is giving the best results.

Jax08 · 12-12-2012, 08:02 PM

Laser therapy. No side affects, good results. Same price as rimadyl.

12-12-2012, 05:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
3dognite Master Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Helena Mt., USA Posts: 803	Old dog, need advice (Cortisone shots or Rimadyl) I have a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, he's nearly 13. He's in good health but is getting stiff and in the winter, can almost not climb up the steps. The vet has given us a couple of options: Cortisone injections and Rimadyl. Thoughts on which is better? Alternatives? __________________ Chris, mom to: Rebel (GSD) Tank (Cardigan Welsh Corgi) Guinness (Brittany) Cosmo-space cat Chess-fuzzy cat Valentine-our ragdoll cat Two great skin kids Last edited by 3dognite; 12-12-2012 at 05:21 PM.

12-12-2012, 05:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
3dognite Master Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Helena Mt., USA Posts: 803	Thank you! __________________ Chris, mom to: Rebel (GSD) Tank (Cardigan Welsh Corgi) Guinness (Brittany) Cosmo-space cat Chess-fuzzy cat Valentine-our ragdoll cat Two great skin kids

12-12-2012, 06:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
phgsd Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 1,569	I also have good luck with Adequan injections with my arthritic dog. She was starting to get very stiff but perked up a lot after a few shots. I am able to give them to her at home, so that saves us a trip to the vet every month. __________________ Kira, Kessy, Djenga, Madina www.hghclubnortheast.com

12-12-2012, 06:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 22,788	Oh Corgis! Adorable! Good to see you 3dog! I would have sworn you were in VT! DogAware.com Health: Arthritis in Dogs more info than you probably ever want! Adequan for Dogs is a good article on Adequan, plus the website of the manufacturer has good info too. It's 8 loading doses - 2 a week for 4 weeks. Then you go from there - depends on the dog how often they need it (1-2x a month). Holistic Care for Pets at the bottom she also has really good information on pain in stages - I find her info easy to read/get. __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org Help a rescue: wish some big dogs a Happy Howliday! www.bigdogsbighearts.blogspot.com Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. Albert Schweitzer

12-12-2012, 06:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
M&J Knighted Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,900	Zeel and Traumeel. I read a study that Zeel works just as well as rimadyl after 30 days of use. I put three tabs in the water bowl, and three tabs of Traumeel in Rudy's food. Working well. I also use Cetyl M and hyaluronic acid, but I think the Zeel/Traumeel combo is giving the best results. __________________ Mary I got a dog for my husband. It was a good trade. LILLY and RUDY In Memory of MADISON, The King 12/89-6/04 In Memory of JAKE, The Perfect Dog 9/01-11/02

12-12-2012, 05:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
GrammaD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 386	Adequan injections helped my spondylosis sufferer a great deal Adequan Canine - Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. Traumeel is proving quite effective for my current old timer Traumeel

12-12-2012, 05:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Freestep Crowned Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,158	Ask your vet what kind of side effects a cortisone shot would give. I know that with oral corticosteroids, you can have issues like excessive thirst/excessive urination, weight gain, etc. and you can only use them for the short term or they cause serious metabolic problems. Has he had a blood chemistry panel done? Rimadyl is helpful for many dogs for pain relief, but it is hard on the liver, so you'll want to know how his liver is functioning right now. If his liver isn't doing well, you probably want to look into other options.

12-12-2012, 05:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
harmony Knighted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 2,145	I have a few really old dogs too and they take pain med too, but one is getting bad enough I might have to do what I do not want to!

12-12-2012, 06:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
harmony Knighted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 2,145	I have two bottles of Tramadol . And we have done alls kinds of pain med but like anything it takes it toll.

12-12-2012, 08:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,045	Laser therapy. No side affects, good results. Same price as rimadyl. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

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