Blackie's arthritis has gotten worse as he's gotten older. He is very stiff when getting up, doesn't like to sit, and will lay down whenever he can. He can't handle going on any even remotely "long" walks anymore (even a 1/4 mild is pushing it for him).
We think it is time to start him on a joint supplement/arthritis pain med. After our interesting vet visit a couple of days ago, the vet gave us some Rimadyl for him. He is doing SO much better now that he has been on it. You can just tell he is feeling so much more spry. But not only is the Rimadyl unGodly expensive ($3 a day!), but I've heard that its long term side effects can be quite nasty (such as liver failure in Labradors). So this isn't something we want to keep him on forever.
Does anyone know of a supplement/med that would help alliviate some of his stiffness and doesn't have any horrible adverse side effects?
Also, Blackie and Rose are both "outside" dogs. They have nice cooshy warm straw/cedar filled doghouses in the winter and I've taken temps in them and it stays around 70 when both dogs are in it (and when it gets REALLY cold they come inside). Will this winter aggravate Blackie's arthritis even more? I know "our" old Alasken Malamute had horrible arthritis and hip problems. When the weather cooled down I always remember her having trouble walking, but that also could have been because of the snow.
If it were up to me the dogs would be inside/outside dogs like Chloe is...but apparently where having Chloe inside is okay, the powers that be don't want Blackie and Rose inside. If I want them to come inside I need to plead my (and their) case and if Blackie needs a squishy warm bed to help his arthritis, that would be fine with me.
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