PLT treatment

[franjan]

We've been back to the vets today with Crocky to see what treatment options we have: he's around 12 years old, and has degeneration of his lower spine and hip joints. All bloods and waterworks tests have been fine.
He's getting more doddery on his back legs, it's a lot more effort to stand up and get in / out of the van (he's not been able to get upstairs since about August last year) and he's struggling to get outside quick enough when he needs a poo and sometimes the urge to poo only seems to register once it's actually happening.
He still loves his walks and seems to improve when he gets going (though he can only manage short walks)and is still happily eating / drinking and has the odd play with his toys.
He's currently on glucosamine and carprieve (50 mg) but we've been given a trial of PLT meds (anti inflam plus low dose steroids) as the vet has had positive experience of this previously.
Has anyone else tried this with their hounds?
Fingers crossed it'll help him feel more comfortable
We're also thinking of physio / McTimoney therapy - can anyone advise of someone we could try, local to us? We're in the Merseyside area

[alexandsteve]

No advice but really hoping it helps your Crocky boy xxx

[vickyb]

Sapphy was on it for ages for her polyarthritis. She couldn't have anti inflammatories because of the other meds she was on and she did brilliantly on it, it really did the trick. She's not on it regularly any more but if she ever shows sign of pain or limps she has it for a few days and it really does work wonders.
Hope it helps Crocky

I'm a big fan of physio and our vet who is also a physio recently trialled a cat 4 medical laser and 3 of ours were treated with it, the results were impressive. Every dog she used it on improved within a couple of sessions. One of the vet nurses dogs hadn't been able to jump into the  car for a long time due to arthritis. After 2 sessions she was standing by the car with her mum and the vet and suddenly she jumped in by herself and has continued to do so.

Susanne was so impressed she's now bought one even though they are very expensive. It's very quick and they don't feel it but you have to commit to an initial 5 sessions over 2 wks then 1 or 2 weekly sessions than every 3 or 4 wks depending on response. Gracie is now having monthly 'top ups' and will for as long as it's helping her. The shoulder of her remaining leg was starting to feel the effects of 4 yrs of her being a tripaw but it has really made a big difference.

[Ted]

Have you tried Synoquin, I give it to Mickey intermittently when his dodgy hips and arthritis in his right legs play up.

[jodav]

Years ago, Tracy was on 4 PLT tablets per day for limping. They worked well, better than anything else she'd been given before. We gradually cut the dose down until she was off them completely. Talking to another vet recently, it seems PLT medication has slipped from favour which is a shame because even though we were warned of some possible side effects, we found none.

[vickyb]

Mar 8, 2015 15:08:06 GMT -5 jodav said:

Years ago, Tracy was on 4 PLT tablets per day for limping. They worked well, better than anything else she'd been given before. We gradually cut the dose down until she was off them completely. Talking to another vet recently, it seems PLT medication has slipped from favour which is a shame because even though we were warned of some possible side effects, we found none.

I think new meds have taken over too and I agree it's a shame as I was really happy with how it works for Sapphy.

[franjan]

Thanks everyone That's really positive - he's been on the meds for a couple of days now and looks like he is getting up from lying down a LOT easier So far, so good!!!