Painful spondylitis of the spine

[TooTooMommy]

Hi everybully. Our 8-year-old, adora-bull Meaty started limping a few weeks ago, and the first vet Xray'd and diagnosed himz with arthritis of one elbow, one hip, and spine. He's had six Adequan injections, and after that,
the vet started him on a new arthritis med called "Galliprant" along with "as needed" Tramadol. He mentioned that a a CT scan at another specialist' office would be a good idea, too. He was the MOST concerned about the arthritis in his elbow---which we've worried about, too, since bulldogs carry SO MUCH of their big (beauti-bull) extra large chests on their elbows.

Nothing has helped, he's still limping, so we wanted a 2nd opinion. Vet number 2 is very much a BULLDOG specialist! I call him the "Bulldog Whisperer" :D We just went today, and he has diagnosed him with
spondolytis in his spine. On Xray, he showed us where there are lots of "bone spurs" between his vertebrae
that shouldn't be there So, he said it's actually NERVE pain he's suffering from. What's weird is that it can
be caused by Streptococcus! Since the first vet was more concerned about his ELBOWS, we asked about that--
but this vet isn't concerned about them---just the spine for now.

He'll be on antibiotics for at LEAST a month, and he also got an anti-flammatory injection and then will take Prednisone by mouth for 30 days, starting tomorrow. I'd appreciate hearing from anybully whose been through
this and/or knows anything about it.... Thank you

P.S. We got SO MUCH detailed info today, I felt like we'd been through a veterinary class! I also wish
I'd recorded everything the vet said---it's so much to remember !!!

 

[ddnene]

I'm so sorry to hear about Meaty... I had a boxer that suffered thru arthritis and a bone spur in her neck. We did the injections, tramadol, prednisone and it seemed to help her for awhile. She ended up having cushings disease so we had to change protocol on many of her meds.

I'm going to tag some members that have dealt w/aging bulldogs... did they offer laser therapy as an option for you? Some members have tried that w/their bulldogs w/much success. I wish you and Meaty all the best...

 

[helsonwheels]

Love the tie. Too cute. I would put him on glucosamine the one in liquid form you buy at Costco from Wellness. Has MSM and Chondroitin plus hyaluronic acid. The body will always absorb liquid form much faster and you dont lose it's potent like a capsule. Im sure others like mentioned will help you out on your thread. Hang on. You can always check out the link attached for maintenance

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/your-bulldog-s-health/51130-essential-oils.html

 

[cefe13]

Sorry to hear Meaty is in pain and hope the meds will help him soon. He looks adora-bull indeed!

 

[TyTysmom]

So sorry to hear about Meaty Haven't dealt with spondylitis, but Tyson does have arthritis in 2 legs, one front, one back. We have him on Rimadyl, Tramadol (when needed) high dosage of Glucosomine (Dasequin) and we do laser treatments as well. This combo has worked for us, and he's been walking perfectly for almost a year now.... At first he was limping, and having difficulties walking. We also go a little of weight off of him since vet said that would help tremendously. I'd ask to see if laser would be an option? Hoping the meds give him some relief. I was so against medication, and wanted to do everything but that. Then I realized I was being selfish, and had to think about his well being, and I didn't want him in pain - its been such a difference since. My old man just turned 11 on the 11th of this month

 

[1Chumly]

Love the tie. Too cute. I would put him on glucosamine the one in liquid form you buy at Costco from Wellness. Has MSM and Chondroitin plus hyaluronic acid. The body will always absorb liquid form much faster and you dont lose it's potent like a capsule. Im sure others like mentioned will help you out on your thread. Hang on. You can always check out the link attached for maintenance

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/your-bulldog-s-health/51130-essential-oils.html

Do you know the doseage for dogs on the liquid glucosamine? I can see my whole family going on it (except the cat)!!

 

[2BullyMama]

Hi everybully. Our 8-year-old, adora-bull Meaty started limping a few weeks ago, and the first vet Xray'd and diagnosed himz with arthritis of one elbow, one hip, and spine. He's had six Adequan injections, and after that,
the vet started him on a new arthritis med called "Galliprant" along with "as needed" Tramadol. He mentioned that a a CT scan at another specialist' office would be a good idea, too. He was the MOST concerned about the arthritis in his elbow---which we've worried about, too, since bulldogs carry SO MUCH of their big (beauti-bull) extra large chests on their elbows.

Nothing has helped, he's still limping, so we wanted a 2nd opinion. Vet number 2 is very much a BULLDOG specialist! I call him the "Bulldog Whisperer" :D We just went today, and he has diagnosed him with
spondolytis in his spine. On Xray, he showed us where there are lots of "bone spurs" between his vertebrae
that shouldn't be there So, he said it's actually NERVE pain he's suffering from. What's weird is that it can
be caused by Streptococcus! Since the first vet was more concerned about his ELBOWS, we asked about that--
but this vet isn't concerned about them---just the spine for now.

He'll be on antibiotics for at LEAST a month, and he also got an anti-flammatory injection and then will take Prednisone by mouth for 30 days, starting tomorrow. I'd appreciate hearing from anybully whose been through
this and/or knows anything about it.... Thank you

P.S. We got SO MUCH detailed info today, I felt like we'd been through a veterinary class! I also wish
I'd recorded everything the vet said---it's so much to remember !!!

My girl, Banks had what is called butterfly vertebrae with arthritis all trough her spine, our vet had said so many times any other breed and we would be having a different conversation, but due to bulldog pain tolerance - she lived a very normal life via pain management. She was on three medications (tramadol, Gabapetin and Deramaxx) along with monthly laser therapy. I could always tell when she was due for the laser, she would slow down a bit and take more time to walk the stairs or a hill, but once she had her session, the next day she was full throttle.

We are also having a similar spine issue now with our French Bulldog, Cheli. He is not on any meds at this time, but we are taking him for weekly laser therapy sessions and he has his spring back -- prior to the sessions, he was hesitating on going up stairs or would not jump up on the bed or couch (had to lift him up and down).

I would also ask about the Gabapetin... it is a nerve med that blocks pain signals to the brain - try to avoid the steroids, if possible. Ask about using turmeric or MovoFlex in place of the steroids

good luck ... keep us posted -- sending lots of healing prayers

has your vet mentioned laser therapy, if not, look to see if a vet offers it in your area.

 

[helsonwheels]

Do you know the doseage for dogs on the liquid glucosamine? I can see my whole family going on it (except the cat)!!

For us it's 2 TABLEspoon and I started Nyala with 1 TEAspoon every 3 days as she's not 18 months old. Once 2yrs old she'll get 1 TABLEspoon only every 2nd or 3rd day as she doesn't have any issue. But its already in her body as we say so easier to up it if god forbid she has an issue. it takes about one month for us to see the difference. Dogs will, l be a bit sooner. I use to give some to my GS every 2nd day one to two tablespoon for maintenance but he was 115lbs. Nyala started not too long ago. Dont ask but Madame now jumps on the sofa instead of going up with the foot recliner. A bit scarey.

 

[TooTooMommy]

Thank you so much, everybully!!! I have a lot more info now, I really appreciate it!
((( Hugs )))) to all of your precious bullies----it's SO hard when they're in pain, isn't it?

 

[Tuneybuster]

My Petunia has spondylitis. She is maintained on gabapentin and tramadol. No steps. No jumping on or off furniture. We built ramps both for the outside steps and inside, to allow her to be able to get on the couch & chairs. I used insulation Styrofoam for the indoor ramps so they were light and easy to move from place to place.

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[TooTooMommy]

Thank you again, everybully! [MENTION=12940]Tuneybuster[/MENTION]----Awww, Petunia is so adorabull, and I'm sorry she has spondylitis, but I hope her meds help her a lot! When we first got Sophie and couldn't decide what to name her, PETUNIA was one of my hubb's favorites! Have
you noticed that she misses things like jumping and playing? Does she seem sad ever since
her diagnosis? The reason I ask is because Meaty LOVES to chase his ball, and
we've had to stop that! Tonight, hubbs took him for a short walk----which he also LOVES---but he was struggling---it
is SO sad! We keep reminding ourselves that he is EIGHT now, so obviously that factors into it.

What breaks our hearts is that everything I've read said that bulldogs are very STOIC about their pain, so he may be actually suffering terribly, but doesn't really "show" it..... Of course we give him exxxtra lovins, and we also gently massage his poor elbows and spine. I dunno if I mentioned before that the other vet was very concerned about arthritis in his elbows----but this second vet who diagnosed
the spinal spondylitis isn't. Ugh, it's so hard to know what to DO, because we think his elbows also hurt A LOT

It's been almost a month, and sadly----even the DAILY dose of Prednisone hasn't appeared to help----he's still limping
and it is SO sad, because he LOVES to walk and play! Like many of you, we don't love the fact that he's been on Predisone
for so long-!

Just so everybully knows----the vet we're going to is truly a bulldog specialist---so we have TOTAL trust in him !!
He wants us to come back tomorrow for more Xrays, etc. . He DOES offer laser therapy,
so we'll ask about that. I've also been reading about physical therapy and accupuncture. And although I prefer
more natural treatments versus lots of MEDS, if that's what will keep him out of pain, than it's worth it! I was
reading that SOME elderly dogs are also put on Narcotics if the pain is that bad!

There's a place a bit far from us that offers aqua therapy for doggies----that would be PAWsome, but honestly,
it would be sooo difficult to get him there and back very often. I know that may sound horri-bull, because
we love our babies SO dearly, we'd love to be able to do anything for them, but sometimes, that is not possi-bull.

Thanks again! (( hugs )) to everybully !!!

 

[2BullyMama]

Thank you again, everybully! [MENTION=12940]Tuneybuster[/MENTION]----Awww, Petunia is so adorabull, and I'm sorry she has spondylitis, but I hope her meds help her a lot! When we first got Sophie and couldn't decide what to name her, PETUNIA was one of my hubb's favorites! Have
you noticed that she misses things like jumping and playing? Does she seem sad ever since
her diagnosis? The reason I ask is because Meaty LOVES to chase his ball, and
we've had to stop that! Tonight, hubbs took him for a short walk----which he also LOVES---but he was struggling---it
is SO sad! We keep reminding ourselves that he is EIGHT now, so obviously that factors into it.

What breaks our hearts is that everything I've read said that bulldogs are very STOIC about their pain, so he may be actually suffering terribly, but doesn't really "show" it..... Of course we give him exxxtra lovins, and we also gently massage his poor elbows and spine. I dunno if I mentioned before that the other vet was very concerned about arthritis in his elbows----but this second vet who diagnosed
the spinal spondylitis isn't. Ugh, it's so hard to know what to DO, because we think his elbows also hurt A LOT

It's been almost a month, and sadly----even the DAILY dose of Prednisone hasn't appeared to help----he's still limping
and it is SO sad, because he LOVES to walk and play! Like many of you, we don't love the fact that he's been on Predisone
for so long-!

Just so everybully knows----the vet we're going to is truly a bulldog specialist---so we have TOTAL trust in him !!
He wants us to come back tomorrow for more Xrays, etc. . He DOES offer laser therapy,
so we'll ask about that. I've also been reading about physical therapy and accupuncture. And although I prefer
more natural treatments versus lots of MEDS, if that's what will keep him out of pain, than it's worth it! I was
reading that SOME elderly dogs are also put on Narcotics if the pain is that bad!

There's a place a bit far from us that offers aqua therapy for doggies----that would be PAWsome, but honestly,
it would be sooo difficult to get him there and back very often. I know that may sound horri-bull, because
we love our babies SO dearly, we'd love to be able to do anything for them, but sometimes, that is not possi-bull.

Thanks again! (( hugs )) to everybully !!!

Thanks for the update.... Banks was not depressed and she seemed to self-regulate a lot (play when she wanted, rest when she needed)

Talk to your vet about moving off Pred and getting on the gabapetin/tramadol with the laser therapy--- it will make a difference


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[Tuneybuster]

[MENTION=16009]TooTooMommy[/MENTION] My Tuney doesn't really miss jumping or even taking walks. However, Tuney didn't have a life of play before we rescued her. She was a baby maker. She lived in a crate in a garage. She was not familiar with playing. If Tuney had it her way she would still be jumping up on everything. We prevent that by remembering to put pillow on the chairs, & gating off the part of the couch that is not ramped. We ramped both the front and back steps too. With the daily regimen of gabapentin and tramadol, Tuney seem comfortable and happy. She goofs around by steeling something in the house that is not hers (usually a shoe or boot) and parades it in front of us as to say " look what I have" She seems to almost giggle as she does it. So we play along. There are times when suddenly she will limp because she did too much that day. (She also has bad knees and mild hip dysplasia) I have carried her to outside and to her bed making sure she doesn't have more pain. With rest she is usually better the next day. I see a happy girl. Who loves to be sassy. Everyday she parades a shoe or boot in front of me, is a good day. Trust me. If for even a minute I thought the pain was too much. This girl would be at a specialist to look at options. Make adjustments. Play in short very limited (rolling the ball and short distance rather than throwing it) He will be happy to just be playing and will get used to it being his new norm. BTW Tuney also turned 8 this year. Sending you love and positives.

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[Hankster]

checking if I got the right one as I see a couple things in this one that I question..... it's by "wellesse" extra strength berry flavor (I don't even know if there were diff flavors... in fact, I didn't even know it was flavored ;/ one of those rush through Costco things)... any way, it has two things I'm not sure about.... sucralose, and erythritol ... they are low on the list but thought sucralose was a no no???? thanks for any insight...

Love the tie. Too cute. I would put him on glucosamine the one in liquid form you buy at Costco from Wellness. Has MSM and Chondroitin plus hyaluronic acid. The body will always absorb liquid form much faster and you dont lose it's potent like a capsule. Im sure others like mentioned will help you out on your thread. Hang on. You can always check out the link attached for maintenance

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/your-bulldog-s-health/51130-essential-oils.html

 

[helsonwheels]

checking if I got the right one as I see a couple things in this one that I question..... it's by "wellesse" extra strength berry flavor (I don't even know if there were diff flavors... in fact, I didn't even know it was flavored ;/ one of those rush through Costco things)... any way, it has two things I'm not sure about.... sucralose, and erythritol ... they are low on the list but thought sucralose was a no no???? thanks for any insight...

I dont give it every single day. I will jump days as she eats well.

Is sucralose or maltedextrin poisonous to dogs?