Labrador just diagnosed with severe arthritis. Pills for her which do not seem to be helping? Any suggestions at all? She is in much pain!?

A vet will only start, usually, with the minimum treatment and so if that's not helping with the pain, you need to get back to the vet. Arthritis cannot be cured of course, but it should be able to be kept under control when the condition flares which it will in damp cold weather. Most vets would treat with antiinflammatories and pain relief and maybe will have to adjust the dose to get it right. When your b itch is in trouble with this, you have to be sensible about what and how much exercise to give - arthritic patients should be encouraged to take some exercise, but it might be best to source a canine hydrotherapy pool which provides gentle exercise to keep the ongoing damage to a minimum. Acupuncture is worth considering too.

a vet shall only start, usually, with the minimum treatment and so if that's not helping with the pain, you need to get back to the vet... arthritis cannot be cured of course, but it should be able to be kept under control when the condition flares which it shall in damp cold weather... most vets would treat with antiinflammatories and pain relief and maybe shall have to adjust the dose to get it right... when your b itch is in trouble with this, you have to be sensible about what and how much exercise to give - arthritic patients should be encouraged to take some exercise, but it might be proper to source a canine hydrotherapy pool which provides gentle exercise to keep the ongoing damage to a minimum... acupuncture is worth considering too...

there are supplements, pleease look into it...

i'd also do raw diet......... might actually really help her... she'll remain fit, and no stress shall be on the joints

I am so sorry to hear this. Talk to the vet.

Adequan injections are a very helpful treatment for arthritis in dogs and even in horses, and they are not simply pain treatment, but help rebuild the joint tissue. Because the supplements may be a bit expensive, you can ask your vet if they can write a prescription for you to forward to one of the online suppliers.

You might also try Shark's Cartilage, available from the health food store, but Adequan is most helpful.

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2010/march/...

Since this is an injection, if you don't have your vet administer it, you can ask the vet to show you how, or if you have a friend or relative who is a nurse, perhaps they will help you.

I learned how, and I am normally terrible with such things!

Euthanasia if all options have been tried.

There are supplements, please look into it.

I'd also do raw diet... might actually really help her. She'll remain fit, and no stress will be on the joints

You didn't happen to mention what pills you're giving her, but hopefully it's something that your Vet either recommended or prescribed. Some years back we had a Bulldog with severe Hip Dysplasia, and by the time she turned 3 years old she also developed arthritis. It was then that the Vet prescribed Rimadyl and also suggested a Glucosamine/MSM supplement. She was on this regime for 5 years and lived a pretty normal and pain free life, not to mention that she was more mobile than I ever thought she could be. So, if your dog isn't on a prescription from the Vet, that should be discussed. Blood testing is usually required before putting a dog on a prescription med for arthritis, and also done every 6 months in order to get the script refilled. Also, I don't know how old your dog is but if her pain can't be managed and her mobility is poor, you might have to consider her quality of life and make that dreaded decision that many dog owners have to make in order to end their suffering.

So take her back to the vet and try another medications.

Some things that may help...

1.Glucosamine supplement.

2. Provide her a good, supportive bed to sleep on

3. If she is overweight, put her on a diet to loose weight.

4. Take her swimming.. this will provide exercise to get her weight off her joints, but help to provide some flexability and exercize the muscles that surround her joints.

The incredibly obvious first step would be to tell the VET the pills aren't working! Have you given them enough time? If yes, then get a referral to a vet who does acupuncture. That's the best thing I've ever found for any dog in pain from a huge number of causes.