UA-12921627-3 Jump to content

Fee

Rescue Representative
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,399

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Fee

  1. Cartrophen Injections

    in Health

    Posted

    Thanks Karen - yes that is Callie on my avatar. :wub:

     

    I have discussed with the vet using a painkiller - my other oldie dog is on glucosamine supplements + Metacam which seems to work well for her and hasn't caused her any problems so far. Unfortunately Callie is also taking something of a cocktail of heart medications which the vet feels would not mix well with Metacam etc.

     

    If the Cartrophen injections don't work, then he suggests a course of painkillers/anti-inflamatories by injection (I can't remember the name of the drug), but he has given a fairly stark warning that although that will make her more comfortable it is likely to make her heart worse and will probably shorten her life. Obviously in the end it's quality of life that's important, but of course I'm hoping we can achieve that with the Cartrophen and without the side effects.

  3. Cartrophen Injections

    in Health

    Posted

    Thanks for the replies, everyone, it's interesting to hear peoples' different experiences. On the basis of this thread the vet's assessment of 50% of dogs showing significant improvement sounds about right.

     

    Keep everything crossed for my Callie, please. :flowers:

  4. Cartrophen Injections

    in Health

    Posted

    Thanks Pboae. Yes, those were the sort of odds my vet quoted me as well in terms of how many dogs were helped. It's encouraging to hear they helped Sully so much, though, I'm just praying Callie is one of the 'lucky' 50% as well.

     

    Apparently we aren't likely to see much improvement until after the fourth injection, so it's a bit of a nail-biting wait to see what happens.

     

    I hope Sully continues to do well :flowers:

  5. Cartrophen Injections

    in Health

    Posted

    Callie was very stiff and arthritic when she came to us, nearly a year ago. We started her on Seraquin, which are glucosamine supplements, and until recently these definitely improved her mobility and she seemed reasonably comfortable.

     

    Over the last few weeks, however, she has stiffened up again and her back legs in particular have become very wobbly. She has slowed right down on walks and seems to have trouble getting herself up and started in the mornings. I felt really depressed about her at the weekend, her quality of life seemed to have deteriorated so much I wasn't sure how long it was fair to keep her going.

     

    I took her to the vet this morning and he has recommended a course of Cartrophen injections. We had the first one done this morning, and she will need 3 more over the next 3 weeks. It's very much a 'try it and see' but if it doesn't help her I'm not sure that there are many more options we can try.

     

    I just wondered whether anyone else's dog has had this treatment, and how successful it was? Also any other experience of dealing with severe arthritis that has gone past the stage where diet/supplements seem to be helping?

  7. Introduce Yourself

    in The Place to Start

    Posted · Edited by Fee

    I'm Fiona and live near Swindon with husband and two daughters (10 & 13 yrs).

    I volunteer as Administration Co-ordinator for the Oldies Club (www.oldies.org.uk) also do some admin work and fundraising for a local greyhound rescue.

     

    We share our home with:

     

    Molly - greyhound

    Taz - saluki lurcher

    Meg - whippet/terrier x

    Callie - elderly collie x

    Pip - guinea pig

    Speedy & Greedy - Giant African Land snails

     

     

     

     

    (Edited because I forgot the snails - how could I??)

  8. The Clicker Training Club

    in Behaviour and Training

    Posted

    No reason not for Caliie - you can swap a clicker for a light ie some kind of small torch. Instead of the 'click' she woud get a 'flash'!

     

     

    Lol, I see that might be possible with some dogs - but Callie is also elderly, grumpy, has poor eyesight and is very stubborn. I think any kind of 'training' would be doomed to failure.

×
×
  • Create New...