AngieBaby!
21st January 2011, 13:33
Has anyone got any comments on Cartrophen? Does it work, is it worth it or is it just a cash cow for vets?
Ruby's been showing signs of stiffness in her back legs and her front paws over the past few months or so - especially after she's had a good romp round the field. We noticed that she was finding it difficult to lift herself up off the floor and started to hobble after getting off her chair so we took her to the vets who said they thought it was arthritis and put her on a course of cartrophen injections (costing £200 for a 4 week course!). Our vets are advising us to continue with the cartrophen, one a month from now on for 4 months then another 4 week course one every week, but we spoke to a fellow dog owner last night, whose dog also has arthritis, and he was told by his friend who's a physiotherapist that cartrophen doesn't work and is just a nice little earner for the vets.
When Ted had his cruciate ligament operation, he was referred to a marvellous surgeon called Knowle Fitzpatrick who did his TPLO procedure. Knowle wasn't all that fussed about using cartrophen either so now we're really confused who's opinion to trust - our vet's, the surgeon's, the dog walker's physiotherapist!
At the moment, along with the cartrophen injections, we've been sending Ruby to hydrotherapy (@ £40 per hour) and have only been giving her lead walks and (touch wood) she seems to be hobbling less. So now, we're not sure if it's the lead walks and hydro mainly doing the trick or if the cartrophen is also helping. Tiz a very confusing and expensive game this dog ownership lark at times isn't it! Phfft! :058:
What do you guys think? Have any of your dogs suffered with arthritis and if so what would you recommend to help ease the discomfort?
Ruby's been showing signs of stiffness in her back legs and her front paws over the past few months or so - especially after she's had a good romp round the field. We noticed that she was finding it difficult to lift herself up off the floor and started to hobble after getting off her chair so we took her to the vets who said they thought it was arthritis and put her on a course of cartrophen injections (costing £200 for a 4 week course!). Our vets are advising us to continue with the cartrophen, one a month from now on for 4 months then another 4 week course one every week, but we spoke to a fellow dog owner last night, whose dog also has arthritis, and he was told by his friend who's a physiotherapist that cartrophen doesn't work and is just a nice little earner for the vets.
When Ted had his cruciate ligament operation, he was referred to a marvellous surgeon called Knowle Fitzpatrick who did his TPLO procedure. Knowle wasn't all that fussed about using cartrophen either so now we're really confused who's opinion to trust - our vet's, the surgeon's, the dog walker's physiotherapist!
At the moment, along with the cartrophen injections, we've been sending Ruby to hydrotherapy (@ £40 per hour) and have only been giving her lead walks and (touch wood) she seems to be hobbling less. So now, we're not sure if it's the lead walks and hydro mainly doing the trick or if the cartrophen is also helping. Tiz a very confusing and expensive game this dog ownership lark at times isn't it! Phfft! :058:
What do you guys think? Have any of your dogs suffered with arthritis and if so what would you recommend to help ease the discomfort?