Help for my bulldog?

[shaunaroxanne]

Hoping some of you can help. My bulldog is my most precious pet, but he's 9 1/2, which is old in bulldog years. He has really been slowing down, his hips are getting weak, and this morning he could barely get up. He has a vet appointment tomorrow. He is eating and drinking, and otherwise healthy, and he is walking, but very, very slowly and I know he is hurting. Anyone know of any good supplements or anything I can do to keep him comfortable? I have been through hip displacia before with shepherds, and I know things can go downhill quickly. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Samson yet At the very least, I need him with us until July. My son is at the top of his class in SeaBee A school, and he will be wrecked if something happens to his dog. He also will be testing for a SEAL slot, which has been his life goal. Yes, I know he needs to be tough to be a SEAL, but we are talking about the dog he grew up with, and I don't want him to have to deal with this on top of all his military stuff. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[justjumpit621]

Hoping some of you can help. My bulldog is my most precious pet, but he's 9 1/2, which is old in bulldog years. He has really been slowing down, his hips are getting weak, and this morning he could barely get up. He has a vet appointment tomorrow. He is eating and drinking, and otherwise healthy, and he is walking, but very, very slowly and I know he is hurting. Anyone know of any good supplements or anything I can do to keep him comfortable? I have been through hip displacia before with shepherds, and I know things can go downhill quickly. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Samson yet At the very least, I need him with us until July. My son is at the top of his class in SeaBee A school, and he will be wrecked if something happens to his dog. He also will be testing for a SEAL slot, which has been his life goal. Yes, I know he needs to be tough to be a SEAL, but we are talking about the dog he grew up with, and I don't want him to have to deal with this on top of all his military stuff. Any advice is appreciated!

Dasaquin or cosequin, and lazer therapy may help.

 

[theAfamily]

There is a vet here in central florida that I saw a special about doing stem cell therapy on dogs. He gets the stem cells from the dogs abdominal area and injects is into there joints that are being affected. They showed some before and after video footage that was amazing. Dogs who could hardly walk, moveing around freely after 30 days. I am not sure how feel about all that but I am sure you can do some research online. The vet here I think is called valuevet.

Good luck

chris

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Dasuquin is a daily oral supplement to improve joint and cartilage function that helps a lot. Adequan is a regular injection that is like concentrated Dasuquin that does wonders - I've really seen some huge improvements with older hip dogs getting the combo of these two. And the mainstay of keeping a hip dog comfortable is going to be an anti-inflammatory. Usually an NSAID (carprofen, meloxicam, etc) or tramadol (pain control). Dogs can be much more comfortable and be much more active with some simple medications! I don't think you need to be giving up on him yet!

 

[justjumpit621]

Dasuquin is a daily oral supplement to improve joint and cartilage function that helps a lot. Adequan is a regular injection that is like concentrated Dasuquin that does wonders - I've really seen some huge improvements with older hip dogs getting the combo of these two. And the mainstay of keeping a hip dog comfortable is going to be an anti-inflammatory. Usually an NSAID (carprofen, meloxicam, etc) or tramadol (pain control). Dogs can be much more comfortable and be much more active with some simple medications! I don't think you need to be giving up on him yet!

Also Rimadyl But yes I have seen many dogs get adequan also and it does work well. Right before I left the vet hospital they started doing the laser therapy which worked wonders on many different conditions.

 

[shaunaroxanne]

Dasuquin is a daily oral supplement to improve joint and cartilage function that helps a lot. Adequan is a regular injection that is like concentrated Dasuquin that does wonders - I've really seen some huge improvements with older hip dogs getting the combo of these two. And the mainstay of keeping a hip dog comfortable is going to be an anti-inflammatory. Usually an NSAID (carprofen, meloxicam, etc) or tramadol (pain control). Dogs can be much more comfortable and be much more active with some simple medications! I don't think you need to be giving up on him yet!

Thank you so much, that makes me feel better! I don't know what is involved with the laser treatment mentioned, I imagine it probably involves anesthesia, which I would worry about with an old bulldog. His mother actually died during a c-section along with her 13 puppies. So I will ask my vet about the things you mentioned, and hopefully we can keep him comfortable. My vet told me once to be very worried if a bulldog ever refuses food. So far, he still has a voracious appetite, so I'm hoping that's a good sign!

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Gee Dear, you beat me to my top 3 cocktail
Adequan, NSAID and tramadol.
Work great on my French bulldog, and have used adequan with success on a horse and tramadol for me

I am glad you have concerns with anesthesia and brachiocephalic dogs(sp?)

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Also Rimadyl But yes I have seen many dogs get adequan also and it does work well. Right before I left the vet hospital they started doing the laser therapy which worked wonders on many different conditions.

Carprofen = Rimadyl

Most dogs tolerate laser therapy quite well without any anesthesia or sedation btw. But it's not very commonly available so your vet may not have access to it. You can often see remarkable results on supplements and NSAIDs alone, especially if it's in the earlier stages. Let us know how he does!

 

[justjumpit621]

Thank you so much, that makes me feel better! I don't know what is involved with the laser treatment mentioned, I imagine it probably involves anesthesia, which I would worry about with an old bulldog. His mother actually died during a c-section along with her 13 puppies. So I will ask my vet about the things you mentioned, and hopefully we can keep him comfortable. My vet told me once to be very worried if a bulldog ever refuses food. So far, he still has a voracious appetite, so I'm hoping that's a good sign!

Yeah as ferret said, the laser therapy does not require anesthesia, it is the light frequency pulsing that is supposed to help heal. All he needs to do is wear doggy goggles during it lol. But yeah I don't know where in your area may offer it.

 

[shaunaroxanne]

We went to the vet today, and she wasn't overly concerned. We are trying Deramaxx, and if that does not help she wants to do radiographs. He also should lose 3 lbs which is much easier said than done since he's so lazy, always has been, even as a puppy. I am hopeful!!