My elderly dog

My cat and my goose suffer from arthritis. My dad and I have been giving them special medication from the vet called Metacam. It won't cure it, but it helps ease the pain. My goose has problems walking around still, even with the medication, but apparently bird-like animals can adapt to problems with their legs.
Our cat is pretty lively, so I'm not sure if the medicine is helping.

Ask your vet about it next time you see him/her

My dog has bad hips (not arthritis yet) and glucosimine seems to work pretty good. Maybe try Sasha's blend (for athritis, haven't tried it but they used it on an old bear at the zoo I did work experience at so it should be good).

The only other thing I could suggest (not sure if it'd work for arthritis though) is go to a vet and ask about a joint lubricant kinda of injection. My dog has just started getting it to help with the pain and she gets I think a needle a week for a while and then one a month or something.

EDIT: yea definatly ask about metacam too, my dog is on that as well as glucosimine and the injections. It should help with inflammation and pain

Hi

I am an ex Vet Nurse.. and yes, taking your dog to the vets and getting some stuff to help ease and reduce the arthritic pain is always better than nothing at all..

But unfortunately if you HONESTLY feel that your dog is really suffering and in severe pain..    a time is going to come where you are going to have to make a choice.. If it is just mild arthritis and you think some meds are going to be enough to help.. then thats fine.. but if its at a point where your dog cant move and is in obvious severe pain and discomfort, then you need to consider whats best for them?

I know this is a really hard and sensitive thing to bring up.. I had a very old cat Misty a few years ago and she was very old and was getting very sick.. she had severe kidney disease and though i had her on Hills KD and meds for ages.. a point came where she was past medication.. and i knew. I knew, that despite her weary little body from refusing to pass on to the heavens.. she was in severe pain and discomfort.

Then she had a stroke and i knew i had to make that choice for her. I didnt want her to suffer any longer and wanted her to cross over with dignity.. so i had her euthanased peacefully and i had that time with her before she went.

so yeah, you really need to weigh up and decide how severe the arthritis is and whats best for animal

cheers

Caz