I think I am way behind on your posts - so, sorry if you have already explained. But, if most everything other than her hips is pretty much under control, why can't they give her anything for her arthritic hips?
I think I am way behind on your posts - so, sorry if you have already explained. But, if most everything other than her hips is pretty much under control, why can't they give her anything for her arthritic hips?
No options such as glucosamine and/or chondroitin just to see if after they have been administered awhile if they might make a difference? It's not an overnight treatment, but can help when given consistently for a period of time. I gave Feeby Glyco Flex Plus (glucosamine, chondroitin, and green lipped mussels) when she was limping from arthritis, and within 2 weeks she had improved quite a bit. She has been on it for over a year now, and no limp at all. She by no means can move around as she once did, but she does OK.
All three have been used (either separately or together) on humans with success. And, all of them can be purchased without a prescription, but it would be a good idea to find out why your vet won't even entertain such things as a trial if nothing else.Are those the two that work well on humans with arthritis? He wouldn't go there when it came to supplements. Thank you for bringing them to my attention- I will read up on it.
All three have been used (either separately or together) on humans with success. And, all of them can be purchased without a prescription, but it would be a good idea to find out why your vet won't even entertain such things as a trial if nothing else.
Vale has just been through so much, and has been a trooper all the way through; it is hard to see that she might be taken down by arthritis. I use interim (6") steps all over my house for Feeby, just so she doesn't have to jump as much to get to places - and, she uses them all (she knows!). I haven't yet had to resort to a very-low sided litterbox, but I will do so if/when the time comes. For me, that means a whole lot of clean up around the box, as she stands to pee/poop! Small price to pay, if it comes to that!
Amazon.com : VetriScience Laboratories - GlycoFlex Plus, Hip and Joint Supplement for Cats, 30 Bite Sized Chews : Pet Supplies - after you read what you need to, this is what I buy for Feeby.
Self warming mats/blankets to help with easing the pain a bit? She probably loves your lap because it is not only warm, but comforting. Even a heating pad when you can watch over its use with her?I held Vale last night while she ate so she was more comfortable. That is about all I know to do.
We lost our 11 year old golden retriever about a year ago and he had been on medication for years because of the pain from arthritis in his back end. We tried glucosamine, heating pads, pretty much everything but eventually he just couldn't even get up off the floor and just fell. The night before he was trying to hide under the bed and the next day it was like he couldn't stand up. We put him to sleep at that point.My vet told me that there really wasn't much on the market for cats. I use Metcam but even its not working anymore.
There are more pain management options, so you are not helpless, yet. In addition to NSAID therapy, such as your meloxicam already in the pain treatment booty, there is neuropathic pain management (a big part of DJD) i.e. gabapentin and amantidine, as well as other interrupters of the pain pathway, including oral tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (lower dose for pain compared to anxiety treatment), and microdosing traditionally anesthetic agents, such as ketamine (they may have already given this in a cocktail if she was sedated for her abscess procedure). Can you email her care team requesting additional prescriptions either filled by them or digital copy emailed to you to send to online pharmacy? Gabapentin capsules are small and easy to administer in food or pill manually. TCA tablets are also tiny. These all have minimal side effects, primarily sedating while adapt to new med, then sedation effect wears off and just the pain management stays. Multimodal approach leads to lowest effective dose of the meloxicam, too.I am conflicted- I wanted the vet to help Vale and he did- but I wonder if I am just putting off the inevitable. It bothers me that her hips still hurt and that there is nothing more that can be done. Who wants a life of chronic pain.
Your vet is in the minority within their field. The veterinary pharmaceutical company that makes the medications he does recommend also make the peer reviewed, trialed, and studied supplements, including Enisyl (L-lysine), which has now been proven less effective than we thought, Cosequin, still proven effective in studies for over 15 years and highly recommended by veterinary orthopedists and pain specialists, Proviable and FortiFlora, strongly used by veterinary internists. Over 10 different vets have all introduced me to supplements, with strong education backgrounds in feline pain management, GI/kidney disease management, cancer management, and joint disease treatment.Some vets are not into supplements, MD's can be the same way. He may not know much about them. I am sure glad that I have this site of informed people, such as yourself, to help educate me. Vets are not the be all and end all when it comes to animals.
Self warming mats/blankets to help with easing the pain a bit? She probably loves your lap because it is not only warm, but comforting. Even a heating pad when you can watch over its use with her?
Self warming mats/blankets to help with easing the pain a bit? She probably loves your lap because it is not only warm, but comforting. Even a heating pad when you can watch over its use with her?
Your vet is in the minority within their field. The veterinary pharmaceutical company that makes the medications he does recommend also make the peer reviewed, trialed, and studied supplements, including Enisyl (L-lysine), which has now been proven less effective than we thought, Cosequin, still proven effective in studies for over 15 years and highly recommended by veterinary orthopedists and pain specialists, Proviable and FortiFlora, strongly used by veterinary internists. Over 10 different vets have all introduced me to supplements, with strong education backgrounds in feline pain management, GI/kidney disease management, cancer management, and joint disease treatment.
Thank you, mentat! I will look into the supplements that you mentioned.
You are speaking about a holistic vet? There are some in the St. Louis area, I will check them o ut. . I stay with my vet because he works with me in regards to my fiances.
We lost our 11 year old golden retriever about a year ago and he had been on medication for years because of the pain from arthritis in his back end. We tried glucosamine, heating pads, pretty much everything but eventually he just couldn't even get up off the floor and just fell. The night before he was trying to hide under the bed and the next day it was like he couldn't stand up. We put him to sleep at that point.
Unfortunately there's only so much that medicine can do for pain and arthritis. Even people who have arthritis can only get so much relief.