Doggie pain
July 5, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Yup, another post about pain in our canine friends. I know I’m pushing the boundaries of the blog but it is about pain and how it affects us as well.
I’ve written about my 9 and a half year old greyhound, Dee. She’s been having a lot of trouble with her right hind leg because of an old, old break in her hock. When you look at the x-ray, the arthritic damage is very obvious.
Last night, something happened while she was outside and she began to cry. She is no longer able to do stairs and is definitely not herself. So, off to the vet we went this morning.
Since she’s been tried on anti-inflammatories, she’s now going to be on Cartrophen, which is a 
disease-modifying anti–osteoarthritic drug, which I assume is similar to the DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) that humans are given. Dee is to get one shot a week for four weeks and then she’ll be re-evaluated then.
Fingers crossed that she’ll feel better soon because even though she’s small for a greyhound (~ 67 pounds), that’s too much for me to carry around.
Images: Marijke Durning
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Marijke, I can empathize with your pain coping with your furbaby’s suffering. I’ve been there, and have had major success with Cartrophen and a couple nutritional supplements.
My dog, an Am Cocker Spaniel, is pushing 9 years and has had both rear AC ligaments ruptured / torn. She was overweight by a few pounds after the 1st injury, so I worked hard to get her weight down to normal — succeeded. Maggy was given the 4 weekly doses of Cartrophen, with some improvement, then monthly injections for awhile.
On my own, I started her on elk velvet antler capsules and 150 mg daily Vit C. Amazing results! She soon started jumping back up on the furniture, climbing stairs, and limping eventually disappeared.
After the second rear leg sustained an ACL injury, we went through the same treatment. She continues to get Cartrophen as a booster every 3 months, as well as the elk velvet antler and Vit C daily.
My nearly-9 yr old acts like a puppy — I just wish I could harness some of her energy and good health!
I wish you all the best in treating Dee and hope you have success as I did.
Dorothy
Thank you so much Dorothy for taking the time to write about your experiences with your dog and pain. Right now, Dee is looking as if she is giving up. She’s got no light in her eye and I’m hoping that’s just because she is tired and maybe the medication is making her tired.
Dee came to us in November; her half brother, Oscar, was with us until just before he turned five – he died the August before Dee came. He also was in a lot of pain and I just can’t stand knowing that such creatures are suffering.
Thanks again,
marijke
Marijke, I’ve deduced you’re in Canada, as am I (Ontario), which explains why we both know of Cartrophen.
With regards to your comment that it looks “like Dee is giving up”, I can empathize with the poor dear. I’m sure I look like she does when my pain is more than I can tolerate. Please don’t give up on her — I sincerely hope you try “alternative therapies” on her, i.e. elk velvet antler and Vit C — no side effects like the vet-prescribed meds. I would be very surprised if Dee didn’t respond to these supps.
I’ll watch your blogs to follow Dee’s progress.
Wishing you and Dee all the best with her health.
Dorothy
P.S. I don’t normally post replies / comments on blogs or stories; the pictures of Dee and her story tugged my heartstrings and I had to share my Maggy’s success story, with the hope that it helps Dee.
Marijke, I can’t believe I forgot one other product the vet recommended for Maggy’s ACL healing — and it HAS worked WONDERS for her! It is a product called “Sasha’s Flexibites” from Sasha’s Blend of New Zealand. These little wafers are given as treats. I only wish I could take them for my arthritis, etc.
I probably sound like I’m trying to promote products, which I know some websites frown on. These products I’ve named have worked miracles on my aging pooch — I hope the info is of use to you and Dee.
Dorothy
Thanks again Dorothy. While I don’t usually encourage product promotion without knowing what is involved, I think this is an exception because it’s not for human use. And, it’s for my Dee so that’s reason enough!
I’ve taken note of the products you mentioned. And yes, I’m in Canada – Montreal.