This super nice big black bear of a dog will be going into rescue because his hips just aren't up to spec for general adoption. Rescues generally have tighter screening protocols for potential adopters where they will do extensive questioning followed by home checks followed by more extensive questioning. Some people consider it a bit much dealing with rescues and maybe sometimes it is when the questioning turns into an interrogation but for the most part, rescues are run by well intentioned people with the welfare of the dogs in mind.
This guy definitely deserves a great home where he can adore and be adored but also be looked after properly in case his hips get worse.
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Maybe to be mentioned to the rescue or just for general information, the vet is going to try a series of shots with Abby (once a week for four weeks and then once a month for four months - can't remember the name of the shots for the life of me but will ask) to try and stave off the necessity and overwhelming cost of hip replacement. Knowing that a hip replacement (at some outrageous price) is not the only option may open up the door for this guy to more potential adopters. Also can try some glucosamine and chondrotin for dogs..not sure how effective but it certainly can't hurt even though it takes several months to kick in.
The portrait shot is gorgeous -- what a terrific picture! It captures something in the dog that makes it not only a great photo, but a revealing portrait.
I hope he is as lucky as our Buck-Buck was in finding someone who will love him all his life.
I've never heard of shots for bad hips before. Maybe some kind of steroid?
This dog is amazing!!!!!! The best one I walked last week. So responsive and so sweet. Good luck to this beautiful, and yes, very big boy.
Susan
Not sure. I think it may lubricate the joints to ease the rubbing of bone on bone. That is just my guess, I will get a definitive answer.
The drug called Adequan Canine and is an injectable substance known as a "polysulfated glycosaminoglycan" and is very similar to the more familiar oral supplement known as glucosamine. Adequan has been proven to be preferentially taken up by inflamed joints when injected into the dog's muscles. It soothes and lubricates the joint, naturally reducing inflammation and pain by reducing friction. Even better, instead of just masking pain as NSAIDs do, it actually helps to rebuild cartilage in the damaged joint. It's not just pain control, it's therapy.
Adequan does this without much in the way of potential side effects. Some humans who have used Adequan on themselves (there is no human version licensed in the United States) report that it stings a little; it upsets some dogs' stomachs for a while after the injection, and in very rare cases it can cause low platelets – a condition that is reversed upon stopping the drug.
Adequan has one major drawback: The price. Some vets will order it for you and let you give the injections yourself at home, but it's an intramuscular injection and it's crucial that the full loading dose, following the directions in the package insert, be given. The loading dose is critical.
Adequan is much safer than the NSAIDS such as Rimadyl and Deramaxx and appears to be a better first step for dealing with pain from degenerative joint disease than NSAIDS, and the NSAIDs are always there if Adequan isn't enough.
When coupled with acupuncture and chiropractic, the benefit of Adequan is greatly increased, so if those therapies are available, they are also well worth seeking out. You can also continue the oral glucosamine supplementation with a high-quality supplement such as Cosequin; some owners of large dogs say they have been able to extend the symptom-free period between Adequan injections to as much as six months by starting out aggressively, and tapering off while giving oral glucosamine supplements at the highest recommended dose.
There is information for dog owners on the manufacturer's website at www.adequan.com. The company that originally created Adequan has additional information at http://www.luitpoldanimalhealth.com/.
Joanne corrected the previous link on Adequan with this one:
http://www.adequancanine.us/
Thanks for all the info. I'll definitely have to do some research into this.
The drug is cartrophen. Here is the link for information. Sounds pretty promising for Abby, bless her sweet little heart.
http://www.kvh.com.au/Cartrophen%20Vet.html
Hang in there Bear
Just because the hips are bad doesn`t mean there isn`t a lot of life left in the old dog.
Trust me,I speak from experience.
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