Curly and his aches & pains

Curly has gone downhill lately. Really hobbling around, stumbling and sometimes falling over. He stands a lot and goes into this weird pose that looks like he is really suffering in pain.

We've been trying some things with our vet to help what we think is his arthritis. We tried rimadel (sp?) and it didn't help from what I could tell. Then we tried Metacam and he had very bad stomach problems and diarrhea. I stopped that immediately. Aspirin has done nothing either.

I feel so bad for him. He continues to follow me everywhere, even though I can tell it hurts him. I have been gating him in my bedroom for 4 hour periods lately so he'll get some sleep. But in the afternoon (when he starts wanting dinner) he will just bark and bark, never resting. I'm worried about him!

Any ideas?

I'm sorry Jeanette. I don't have any ideas other than the Rymadel but I hope you can find something that will help Curly feel better.

I'm sure others with senior pug experience will have more advice but would he enjoy a warm bath to relax his joints or perhaps would he lay on a blanket with a heating pad under it? Poor guy! I just love Curly!

My poor Curly. :pale: Have you tried Glucosamin/Chodrotin. You can use the human kind, but I don't know the amounts off the top of my head. When Rocky got older we had him on some pretty powerful pain meds, I'll see if I can find them when I get home. Have you tried Previcox?

Amanda wrote:I'm sure others with senior pug experience will have more advice but would he enjoy a warm bath to relax his joints or perhaps would he lay on a blanket with a heating pad under it? Poor guy! I just love Curly!

There are two things that make Curly run like a puppy. Food and post-baths. I'm convinced that he does way more harm when he gets so excited. He actually tries to do pugtonas after a bath. So even though the bath probably calms him some, the aftermath undoes any good!

Brenda wrote:My poor Curly. :pale: Have you tried Glucosamin/Chodrotin. You can use the human kind, but I don't know the amounts off the top of my head. When Rocky got older we had him on some pretty powerful pain meds, I'll see if I can find them when I get home. Have you tried Previcox?

I tried Glucosamin from Trader Joe's and it didn't do much. Is Glucosamin/Chodrotin a special combo I should try? I will ask about Previcox.

That dear old man - one of my favs. I would look into acupuncture. I hope you can find something that works.

Oh, and just a thought......from what you describe has the vet checked for spinal issues?

Jeannette:
I just switched Lola to Previcox. She can't take Metacam or Rimadyl as it upsets her stomach and most of the Glucosamine products are a no-go as she has shell fish allergies and many are made from mussels, abalone, etc.
In a case of bad arthritis, supplements will help, but won't stop the pain. He needs pain relief. I have found Lola has done VERY well on Previcox. If he's really in agony, might be worth thinking about something stronger like Tramadol.

I don't have any advice to offer but just want to send you and Curly a big hug. I'm a HUGE fan of Curly!

We've had good luck with Metacam. I'm sorry it doesn't work for Curly.
I also give Toby one of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+11248+19887&pcatid=19887
These have helped my old guy. I'll keep Curly in my prayers.

Please hug Curly for me. I hope you can find something that helps him. He really makes my heart melt.

MommaJones wrote:We've had good luck with Metacam. I'm sorry it doesn't work for Curly.
I also give Toby one of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+11248+19887&pcatid=19887
These have helped my old guy. I'll keep Curly in my prayers.

OK.... that LOOKS like a functional link to the Drs Foster & Smith site, but when I click it, it takes me back to the PA forum page. Any thoughts?

GingerSnap wrote:

MommaJones wrote:We've had good luck with Metacam. I'm sorry it doesn't work for Curly.
I also give Toby one of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+11248+19887&pcatid=19887
These have helped my old guy. I'll keep Curly in my prayers.

OK.... that LOOKS like a functional link to the Drs Foster & Smith site, but when I click it, it takes me back to the PA forum page. Any thoughts?

I think I fixed it in my post. Let me know if it still doesn't work.

Thanks guys. Good info for calling the vet tomorrow. The link works too.

I'll let you know.

There is an injection that can be given for dogs that have arthritis. I think it is Adequin. My vet that we had in Illinois give them to her pug that she adopted who has arthritis from bad hips and knees.

Thanks for fixing the link, Christy! If I recall, someone (Rebecca & Pugs maybe?) posted awhile ago about a heat-reflecting blanket that she put in the bed of her oldsters and she said that it really helped with that stiffness upon waking. I can't remember where she got it, but if I recall, it was pretty inexpensive.

GingerSnap wrote:Thanks for fixing the link, Christy! If I recall, someone (Rebecca & Pugs maybe?) posted awhile ago about a heat-reflecting blanket that she put in the bed of her oldsters and she said that it really helped with that stiffness upon waking. I can't remember where she got it, but if I recall, it was pretty inexpensive.

I have that! It doesn't seem to make much of a difference with my old man. Poor guy.