Very bad arthritis - supplement advice

Hi guys, I was at the vet today with Bacardi's big brother, 13yo sphynx Matej, for a routine dental (6 teeth out, all his fangs, ouch). Because he's had problems in his knees for years, we also did an xray of his joints, which revealed a HUGE problem - very severe arthritis in his shoulders, so bad that even the vet, who is an orthopedis specialist, said that he had never seen anything that bad in any cat or dog ever in his career.

So, he will be having a surgery to remove some loose bone(?) fragments from his shoulders, and the vet told me to get some joint supplements (which are not going to improve anything, but may or may not slow down the progression). Do you guys have some recommendations? Also, I once watched a documentary on cannabis for dogs, but it's not very common in my country. Has any of you have some experience with that? I'd appreciate any advice, because I am quite devastated by the news.


PS: do you call them fangs in English? Those vampire teeth?

 

Poor kitty. Cuddles that Matej feels better soon. So does that mean he is toothless now




I haven't used it with a cat but I have used it on my old drooler the glucosamine supplements. It didn't really help with pain but it seemed to slow down the progression. The only thing that worked on her pain was pain meds unfortunately.

Hope someone has more information for you.

 

yef, he is completely toofless ) I got pain meds from the vet, but we are talking long term..pretty much something he'll take for the rest of his life. So the vet told me the less pain meds he'll need, the better. I'll have a look at glucosamine!

 

If you are willing to try reading through somewhat technical material written for vets, these two pieces by Dr Robin Browning nicely review the options for treating arthritis and the attendant pain. Plus, this is up-to-date information (2016 CVC in San Diego proceedings).

 

My civi Moxie has severe joint degradation. I first noticed it when she was less than a year old. She is now 11. I first started on cosequin. Then about 4 years ago added gabapentin for pain since she would eat laying down. Then about 2 years ago added Adequan injections. The injections really seemed to help.

 

Merlin had joint problems for a long time (diabetic neuropathy worsened them) but he did really well with Cosequin capsules. Since it's a powder you mix with their food it wont be a problem for this sweet toothless kitty. He got a lot better until other conditions such as the neuropathy worsened his legs again.

 

Guys, thank you a lot for the links and recommendations. I have ordered Cosequin and made a mental note to ask the vet about Adequan - I wonder if I can get it here. Also, I’ll try to read the vet paper, hopefully it’s not too scientific as English is not my first language.

Matej sends his toothles turtle smile

 

I second adequan and cosequin. Both helped Sheba a lot.
I used the equivalent to Adequan here in Australia so ask your vet for alternative if adequan isn’t available where you live.

 

Bronx is on MSM, Adequan, Cosequin, CBD oil, fish oil, gapapentin & turmeric "golden paste"

 

Oh dear, sorry. Technical reading in a second language when you don't already know the subject matter is close to impossible. (Many years ago, I thought my then decent German would suffice for translating some material about electro-magnetic load-lifting technology. What a nightmare that turned into.)

Without claiming any expertise, here's my understanding of the main options:

Meloxicam and robenacoxib - Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) that will relieve the pain, and do so almost immediately. Desirable to reduce or eliminate use over the long term. (I'm currently adding liquid meloxicam to his first meal of the day and it has made a world of difference for Thomas.)

Gabapentin - A pain reliever that works differently than an NSAID and more suitable for long-term/forever use. Should be working within a week or two. May need to deal with trade-offs between pain relief and doziness.

Adequan - A medicine derived from cow tissue that can slow or even reduce damage to cartilage. You would be giving your cat subcutaneous shots, like you do with insulin. If works, can and should continue use long term.

Cosequin, Dasuquin, etc - Supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin and/or ASU that can reduce arthritic pain. Works for some cats, not for others. (Didn't work for us.)

Omega 3 Fatty Acid - A supplement with proven anti-inflammatory value, along with other benefits. Squirting fish oil on top of food is a common and easy way to administer. (Also currently using, for all three cats.)

Microlactin - A supplement with anti-inflammatory properties based on milk protein from hyper-immunized cows. Works differently than an NSAID or gabapentin but can be similarly effective. (What I'm trying next.)

I'm sure others with more experience and knowledge can refine and correct what I say here.

 

Don't know if it's available in the US but I recently started my 13 year old cat on Yumove, as she's developed some arthritis in her back left ankle. She's been on it for a couple of months and she's back to running around playing, climbing fences etc.. Obviously hers isn't as severe as your poor little one but it might be worth a look anyway.

 

My boys are 20 ad 21
They get adequan weekly (there is a loading dose). They get canna pet-
durlactin EFAs and green lipid mussel-
I have 4 flights of stairs and they do great. They earlier you start adequan the better.
IF I could ONLY do 1 thing it would be adequan.
the other supplements are all natural and no side effects (durlactin has side effect if issues with milk if not it works good)
Sounds like micrlactin is similar to durlactin --it has really helped my boy with knee issues.

 

PS I started adequan at 15 yrs.

 

Wow Jayla. 21 and 22 years. That is fantastic!! I had two at those ages... a Burmese and a tonkinese. Such wonderful ages. My Tonkinese never had a sick day in her life.

 

Hi Bron!
They will be 20 n 21 this summer but lately it seems I find myself saying they are now-Rico I adopted at 1 and Dre I rescued found in a gutter as a baby.
After working closely with my holistic vet I found starting before symptoms are my best chance of keeping them healthy and mobile.
I just recently started durlactin (Dre has knee issues he is my chub) it really seems to be helping especially with the canna. Not to mention the daily fluids lol--my senior facility!
That being said if I could only do 1 it would be adequan-I think it is amazing.
I love seeing Shebas picture

 

durlacticn if no milk allergy-canna pet---green lipid mussel---essential fatty acids--adequan--- dasaquan is good but might raise bg