Darlin' Marlin! Update Post 12

[boomersooner]

Can't get much more comfortable than that!!! You are a cutie, Marlin!!

[Karen]

Aww, he looks so comfy! Eh, ya don't wanna be out doing much walking in this weather anyway, Marlin! White doggies might get lost in the snowbanks!

[Daisy and Delilah]

I heard on the news a while back that the doctors are saying Glucosamine-Chondroitin doesn't work. I say hogwash!! Daisy and Delilah agree with me. They both take it every day and neither of them are limping at all. This is a major breakthrough for both of them. I'm really pleased. Good luck with it, Sandie.

My sons Aussies both take it too and it keeps them in good shape. All four of these dogs(mine and his)have knee problems.

Thanks for bringing that up, Ellie!!

[Freedom]

Marlin has continued to move on 3 legs, so this afternoon he went in for xrays. He has severe osteoarthritis, in BOTH knees. It is the vet's opinion that this is too severe for surgery, although she said I can have a consult with an orthopedic surgeon if I want a second opinion.

I have started Marlin on Deramaxx, and a series of 6 injections of Adequan, which is an injectable form of glucosamine. Marlin is also on oral glucosamine and chondroiton. The vet said we can get him more comfortable for the rest of his life.

[lvpets2002]

Oh No Poor Wittle Marlin.. He is so Cute in the picture.. I am saddened to read about his knees.. I sure hope the Meds work & for sure the Pain Meds.. Take it easy wittle guy & get better soon.. Huggss & Prayers ,,

[pomtzu]

Just keep up the oral dose of the gluco/chrond therapy. It takes a while, but I'm sure you'll see a difference in a couple of months. Both of Myndi's knees are really bad too, but you'd never know it - and don't tell her that!

[cassiesmom]

The vet said we can get him more comfortable for the rest of his life.

That's good to hear. Fingers and paws crosse.d

[Cinder & Smoke]

... doctors are saying Glucosamine-Chondroitin doesn't work.
I say hogwash!! Daisy and Delilah agree with me.

They both take it every day and neither of them are limping at all.

Don't tell our White Coat, Doc Mike, that, either!
HE takes Glucosamine for HIS knees!

SmokeMutt's been on Glucosamine for most of his life - his 'trick knee'
responded in about 6 months - he's a 'daily user' and runs like a deer!

Ole Fluffie Tail Bowser (RB ) had 'stiff hips' - a couple months of Glucosamine
and he began moving around like a pup!

And guess what - Dear ole DAD (me) has a Glucosamine capsule in MY
pile of daily pills.

I'd say they work just *phine*!

[K9karen]

I had my doubts that Glu/Cho worked until a few months ago. Mz Logan has been on a high prescribed dose once a day. It's expensive, but obviously worth it. I had neglected to renew the scrip for one week, awaiting my check, and she started limping and having a horrible time getting up. There was a huge difference in her personality.

Needless to say, Mr Visacard came into play and within a few days, she was back to normal. Nothing like severe guilt. Shame on me. I don't hesitate to get meds for myself. I even give her dog biscuits with Glu/Cho.

Hope you feel better sweet Marlin.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Mz Logan has been on a high prescribed dose once a day.

It's expensive, but obviously worth it.

Needless to say, Mr Visa card came into play ...
I even give her dog biscuits with Glu/Cho.

WHERE do you buy your Glucosamine / Chondroitin ??

YEARS ago, when our Doc Mike first proposed using Glucosamine to treat
SmokeMutt's 'Luxating Patella', he carefully explained that the "active ingredient"
that helped improve joint function and lubrication was the SUPPLEMENT called Glucosamine.
He stressed it was a Supplement and NOT a "drug" - and therefore did NOT
require an MD or DVM doctor to write a script for. I thought it sounded like a
snake-oil treatment - but did a lot of Internet research ...

After the pain pills helped reduce the joint swelling, SmokeMutt just
*gimped* around and didn't seem to be in pain - but Doc said we should at
least *try* the Glucosamine. That's when he admitted that HE took a daily
Glucosamine - NON-prescription - to help with his painful knees!

Source of Doc's Glucosamine = Wally's World - the generic, store-brand "cheapy-stuff"!

THEN he pulled a bottle of the Vet-sold "Prescription Glucosamine" and explained
what was in it - a LOT of Glucosamine and a LITTLE bit of actual prescription drugs
for pain relief - thereby requiring a DVM-written script - and an OUTRAGEOUS price!
Which did I wanna try?

We headed for Wally's World - and have been steady "cheap stuff" customers for years!

PS: Smokey started out on TWO 1,000 units of Glucosamine (one pill every 12 hours)
for about 6 months - his "maintenance dose" is now ONE 1,000 unit pill per day.

Discuss this with your Vet - ask him if he can prescribe the MEDS she needs as
a seperate script; and let you buy the Glucosamine as an over-the-counter,
NON-prescription, supplement. Ought to be a lot less expensive.

NOTE: Doc Mike and many other Vets suggest that Glucosamine by itself -
without to often combined Chondroitin - is the desired supplement for canines -
many Vets feel the Chondroitin is not of great benefit to the dog.
Wally sells both straigh Glucosamine AND the combined Glucosamine + Chondroitin.

End of Tail.

[pomtzu]

I also use the otc brands from Wally-World and have for several years. Works the same as the high priced brands and you don't have to mortgage your house to pay for it! You might also try a chewable Vitamin C table with the gluco/chron since it enhances the effectiveness. I did this as a "jump start" for a while when I first had Myndi and Sparky on it, but don't anymore.