What are ways I can help my parent's Golden with Arthritis?

She limps from time to time, and she takes medication for her Arthritis. Right now she is having her leg iced, but I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to make things easier on her. She's rather bored lately, although she is 7 years old, she loved to play ball. Now, we don't like to let her run much because of her pain.





What are things I can do to play with her, without causing more pain on her leg? What are additional methods to lessen her pain?





Thank you!What are ways I can help my parent's Golden with Arthritis?
Swimming is very therapudic as well as a low impact sport and is excellent for all arthritis sufferers.... dogs included.





There is a series of injections she can get through the vet's office. A drug called ';Adequan';. It's a series of 8 injections (about 1 or 2 per week). Close to the end of the 8-shot series you should notice marked improvement in ease of mobility and reduction in discomfort. It's success rate is high (70%, I think), so her chances are good that this will help. I have had two dogs go through it with great success.





Try and keep her weight in the normal range. Excess weight increases discomfort and stress on the joints.





Her life will change a bit, but these key things will really help a lot. Maybe no more high speed fetch games, but in a few months she should be feeling better if you give these three things a try.





The previous 2 answers will help a lot, too .... in addition.What are ways I can help my parent's Golden with Arthritis?
First - you need to know what type of medicaiton she's on.





Is she on a supplement of glucosamine or chondroiton? There are several OTC supplements that can greatly help (they usually take a few months to work . They can help with some arthritis, but don't alleviate the pain.





Prescription oral medications. There are several such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Tramadol. They can make an old dog feel young again. They work tremendously. If she's not on them already, I would consider putting her on one.





You can also try prescription adequen injections by your vet. They are VERY expensive - but can greatly help. Very few people go this route.





Finally - try non impact exercise such as swimming. If you live near water, take the dog swimming for exercise. If not, there are usually therapy centers that have areas just for dogs - although again, it's expensive.





There are options for your parents' dog. Talk to the vet and use your best options for your budget. Best wishes!
Keep her on a low fat diet for seniors, even though she is not old her weight needs to be kept low. I too have arthritis and know how she feels. I have had luck with increasing my Glucosamine and Condrotin mixed supplement. The 8 n 1 company makes one called Excell look at Petsmart for it. try it you will see an improvement in 3 months. When her pain level goes down she will get more active. You can ice when the joint is swollen all though dogs hate that try a warm bath tub. The dog may learn to sit or even lay in a tub with warm water. Not hot- good luck.
Change her to a high quality food with glucosamine and chonroitin added. This helps much better because it's absorbed and not excreted out through the kidneys half hour after it's given in pill form