Cartrophen concerns

My dog was prescribed four Cartrophen injections. For the first injection, the serum in the bottle was coloured with a tinge of yellow. The following three injections were a serum of clear colour.

When I asked the vet she said it was just old stock. I’m concerned as treatment has not been successful. What should I do?

Lance Bates, via email 

Casing the joint

I’ve been doing local agility classes with my 7 year old Lab x for the last three years and he loves it. However I’ve noticed that he’s started showing signs of stiffening up, especially in this cold weather. It’s not severe enough for medication but I’m looking into supplements...

What would you advise to help keep him supple, we’d both love to be able to carry on with the classes?

Thank you,

Jill, by email

Which joint supplement is best?

Hi

Can anyone tell me which are the best joint supplements for dogs? I use them because my eight-year-old JRT had a leg injury a few months ago (cruciate, but not complete tear) and although recovered, has days when he limps and looks sorry or himself. He's very active and hard to keep from 'doing too much'. I use Vetroflex (for cartilage regeneration) with success, and also Yumove (for pain relief, I hope!).

I have noticed that some of the well known supplements 'boast' that they contain NO Devils Claw and some say NO Glucosamine but they don't say why not. Are there any of these 'typical' ingredients which shouldn't be taken in conjunction with each other? Help, I'm confused, any ideas please?

Thank you
Sara Marlow, by email

Back to good health

Dear Think Tank

My young Dachshund recently hurt his back, I know the breed are very prone to this so it's not totally unexpected, but what can I do to make sure this injury doesn't create long term problems for him? What is the best way to ensure maximum healing and to encourage healthy joints?

Many thanks
Mary Smith, Reading, Berkshire


Please note: Dogs Today strongly advises that veterinary attention is sought in the first instance so please assume this is the case when providing advice, tips and suggestions.


Alison Logan, vet, replies...

As a breed, the dachshund is certainly prone to back problems. This ranges from back strain (arched back, unwilling to go up/down stairs) through to the other extreme of a prolapsed intervertebral disc (knuckling of hindpaws, difficulty walking on hindlimbs, loss of ability to pass urine/faeces voluntarily). Back strain should settle with rest and pain relief, but at the other end of the spectrum major back surgery may be advised in order to avoid paraplegia

I am assuming that your dachshund made a full recovery, but I would treat this as a warning of potential future episodes. You rightly want to avoid long-term problems and action you can take includes:

- walking your dachshund with a body harness rather than collar and lead

- regular exercise – two or three short walks rather than one long walk, and avoid the common pitfall of a super long walk at the weekend after a week of shorter walks

- maintain ideal body condition, ie avoid your dachshund losing his waistline and carrying excess bodyweight

- avoid jumping up or down – consider furniture, car

- avoid rough play

- balanced diet with particular attention to the joints (glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids)

If, however, your dachshund has not made a full recovery then I would have him checked out by your veterinary surgeon, especially if you have not had him examined with this problem.