Question:
We adopted Bo, our male bulldog/retriever mix, when he was 8 months old from our local humane society. Not long after, Bo started limping and favoring his right rear leg. We had him X-rayed and the vet found arthritis developing. The vet prescribed Rimadyl. The dog needs it just to get through the day because of the pain in his hindquarters.Why would a dog develop arthritis at such an early age? And could you give us advice on any other treatment you would recommend?.
F.V., Labelle, FL Aug 20, 2006
Answer:
Your dog is extremely young to have arthritis. He may have some other joint problem, like hip dysplasia (a separation of the growth plate at the end of the bone) or an inflammation of the bursa or joint capsule. The cause could be trauma or a developmental abnormality.Hot and cold packs, plenty of rest with restricted physical activity for three to four weeks and twice daily massage therapy, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs" (Newmarket Press, 2004), may help considerably. A soft pad to sleep on is also called for.These measures (pending a more definitive diagnosis) are warranted, and the sooner you get your young dog off the Rimadyl, the better. Long-term use could harm the dog's liver and kidneys.
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