Arthritis & Coughing Advice

[kevin earl]

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hi everyone

been a while since i posted but would like some advice on what to use apart from metacalm for arthritis { bailey male whippet,} anyone know of a herbal alternative? also need something for what it seems as catarrh like symptoms, he tries to clear his throat like a dry cough a few times then as if mucus forms he slightly gags bit nothing comes up, vet was saying maybe x ray, but as he is on vetmedin for a murmur dont want to sedate him, any suggestions are more than welcome on this very informative site, had a lot of problems with that it seem when ha had a tooth out on top row

kevin

 

[Whippets Rule]

I'm sorry your boy is not well............But....

I'm surprised your vet hasn't suggested the possibility that the coughing could be related to the heart problem as your boy is on vetmedin......it is not uncommon for dogs with heart problems to cough and gag a bit as though trying to clear their throat....it is something we have to watch for ( and has happened a couple of times)as our whippet has congestive heart failure and is on vetmedin.

Personally I would associate the dry cough with his failing heart.

The mucusy sound can be a sign that fluid is starting to accumulate in the lungs.

Of course I'm sure your vet would know this and assume he/she has ruled it out.

 

[FeeFee]

I agree, the coughing could well be related to a heart condition and possibly fluid accumulating around the heart. This may be treatable with a diuretic which can help, or it may be his dosage of vetmedin could be adjusted. Well worth a chat with your vet if they haven't already ruled out a connection with hsi heart.

How long has he had the cough? If it's recent it's also possible he's picked up a Kennel Cough infection.

For arthritis, there are alternatives to Metacam - Previcox is an alternative drug which has fewer long-term side effects. I give all my older dogs a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement which helps keep the joints lubricated, I use Synflex liquid which you can buy online. If a dog's arthritis is really bad I don't think this is an alternative to using a painkiller/anti-inflammatory (which is what Metacam is) but it can help to use it as well. I've also used a bioflow magnetic collar and was amazed at how much it helped my old greyhound.

Good luck with your boy, I hope the vet is able to help and you can keep him comfortable :luck:

 

[kevin earl]

update after the vet visit , she gave him frus to try and help with {maybe} fluid , but 2 weeks on them no better she still says its an enlarged heart pressing on the windpipe , certain ways he may lie the heart kind of moves , but he is very perky so no signs of any tiredness at all anyway she is now suggesting an x ray to see if it has got bigger than 3 years ago since last x ray the vetmedin is still ongoing and also she said his left side heart sounds better, and also mild murmur which we knew about from previous vet , although each vet has diff opinion on how severe the murmur is, but we soldier on meantime

 

[eve]

My old girl did not tolerate Metacam well and she was treated with steroids for arthritis. They worked very well but increased her hunger.

Steroids can also have a diuretic effect and can cause bone thinning in long term use. Steroids may not however be siutable for a dog with heart disease, you would need to ask your vet.

I avoid chemical diuretics as the side effects are unpleasant. Cooked (steamed is best) chopped turnip added to the food acts as a natural diuretic and is easily digestible. I have found it very effective in the past.

I do not know how old your dog is but putting him through a GA for an X-ray, which may show if the problem is worse but will have no real benefit sounds risky given his heart condition. I refuse to have my dogs x-rayed unless a surgical proceedure is necessary. My dog died at 9 years old from a thromboembolism a couple of weeks after a GA. He had a mild heart murmur only. Blood clots are one of the risks of GA.

The Bioflow magnetic collars help some dogs but not others but may be worth a try as they may not only help with the Arthritis but may improve blood flow.

Stick with your gut feeling and Good luck with your boy

 

[kevin earl]

hi thanks for all replies, its difficult to say whats best each vet has a diff opinion on 1 the severity of the murmur and 2 do you increase the vetmedin dose, but i know the ferus is making him pee like a horse and drink as well but i am not keen in keeping that going as he has already had an accident with peeing, he is nearly 10 now but we would hope he keeps going for a lot longer so its back to the vet again tomorrow as he was coughing on the hour last night

 

[weathergirls]

liquid glucosomine and devils claw excellent for arthritic condition you can get it on line fro pet chemist direct