Great Dane W/arthritis

[RILEYSMOM]

Hello, I have an 18 month old Great Dane "Puppy" that has just been diagnosed with advanced arthritis in her right hip and minor arthritis in her left hip and knee. They are suggesting hip replacement for her. I am seeking any info from fellow large breed dog owners that may have had to face this horrible affliction???

[SmoothCollieluver]

I have seen it before in clinic but not personally had it happen to my pet. I wish you the best in your time of hardship.

[RILEYSMOM]

Thank you.

[Danegirl2208]

hi rileysmom..i also have a great dane pup about 14 months..how awful, my heart aches for you and him:( i hope its ok to post a link to another forum on here, but please come check out leans and slobbers..its an all dane messege board..there are many, many wonderful people there, and im sure someone will be able to help you out...i hope to see you there hun!
http://leansnslobbers.proboards92.com/index.cgi

[RILEYSMOM]

Thank you for the referral DaneGirl, I really appreciate it. Hopefully I will get some feed back that is more Dane Specific.

Thank again!!

[GSP4619]

awwww how sad. Please keep us posted on what you find out.

[RILEYSMOM]

Well, it has been pretty interesting so far.... Everyone that I have spoken with has told me do not have the surgery done on Riley. I even spoke with my chiropractor and he recommened what others have, put her on 2 daily doses of glucosamine and that should help, with moderate exercise and he said that if she is experiencing swelling than I can bring her in and he can adjust her. (He is also a licensed animal chiropractor) I am just shocked that any vet would just frivously recommend surgery, I guess they are no different than medical Dr.'s now adays that just want to prescribe pills for anything and everything that ails us humans.
I have found someone that has been raising Great Danes for over 30 years and she has offered to take the x-rays to have them checked out before I make any desicion just to get another professional opinion other than my vet and the ortho she referrs to. It just seems like such a drastic thing to do to Riley when to look at her run and play you would never know she had anything wrong with her. Thank you for the support and referrals, they are much appreciated!!!

[espy33]

I have an Aug. 2006 issue of The McAlvany Health Alert in front of me that has an artcle about pet health. He mentions fatty acids of EPA and DHA, found in fish oils, helps with arthritis. Salmon is very good.

Best of luck.

[RILEYSMOM]

??? I Thought That Salmon Was Poisonous To Dogs??

[StarfishSaving]

??? I Thought That Salmon Was Poisonous To Dogs??

Salmon poisoning disease only occurs when a dog eats raw salmon and certain other fish that contains infected parasites (not the parasites themselves.) Cultured salmon oil is just fine and I think that's what espy was referring to.

[RILEYSMOM]

Thank You, I Really Had No Idea!! I Thought It Was All Bad.

[espy33]

Salmon poisoning disease only occurs when a dog eats raw salmon and certain other fish that contains infected parasites (not the parasites themselves.) Cultured salmon oil is just fine and I think that's what espy was referring to.

Thank you Star. Yes, that is what I meant. I should have also said you might ask your vet about the oil.

My dh told me that fresh raw bones also are helpful. I'll ask him if he has time to find the article this weekend. If he can find it I'll will post more.