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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 7:17 am |
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Poor Foxie! At the very early age of 3, bone arthritis was discovered on her spine when she had an X-ray for a sudden sharp pain she had (probably due to her back) while playing with her large Labrador friend. An osteophyte ("bone spur"??? - not too sure what the correct English term is) was visible on that X-ray photo in addition to some arthritis. My vet said it was probably an inherited condition (genetic), although Foxie's breeders, whom I contacted then, said that none of their dogs seemed to have similar problems.
She then started to see an osteopath someone had recommended once a year, and I gave her some DoggyFlex to help her. The osteopath always told me to continue practising agility but in a "moderate" way - which is what we've always done anyway. Life went on quite normally and joyfully for Foxie during all the past years, with her yearly session with the osteopath.
However, in January this year, I noticed that she started burping quite frequently, even a long time after her meals. I put it down to the recent change in her dog food contents and decided to try a new brand. But all of a sudden Foxie stopped eating completely. After 3 days of not eating anything at all, I took her to the vet's, who carried out all the tests, exams, etc, she could think of - nothing seemed to be wrong. She finally decided to have her digestive system X-rayed in case there was something there. She called me in the X-ray room to show me the photo. Nothing wrong with Foxie's stomach, tummy, etc, but her back... There were several osteophytes, and the vet pointed all the numerous places where arthritis had developed on her spine. No wonder she wouldn't eat, she must have been in great pain - we had just had a series of wet and cold days too, which probably triggered the pain. I could have cried when I saw the X-ray. My vet addressed me to a clinic where the vets also specialize in osteopathy and acupuncture. I had an appointment there and the vet-osteopath who examined Foxie told me that although she is only 8 and a half years old, her back looks and feels like a very old dog's. He manipulated her for an hour, telling me what he found and did as he went - dysfunction in her stomach (no wonder she burped and then stopped eating), in her colon, one of her kidneys... Plus various blocked vertebrae... Foxie was very helpful and nice all along, probably sensing that it was all for her own good, and when the vet gently placed her back on the floor, she immediately lay down and fell asleep at my feet. She has been prescribed some tablets (Dasuquin), is still allowed a little agility for her morale and to maintain some muscles in her back - she can jump over the very lowest bars (30cm), tunnels are ok, but she must avoid any steep down slopes (A-frame) and the see-saw, of course. Long walks are recommended.
So this is the present situation, I am not too optimistic regarding Foxie's future life as she gets older. She has recently started burping again, which she had stopped doing after seeing the osteopath in February. We have another appointment with him on May 6, which I am looking forward to.
Sorry for the long story, I thought it might help others. This is the X-ray which shows Foxie's back (taken in January), I think it says it all!
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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judy g
Friend for Life


Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 11875
Location: West Country
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:45 am |
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Ohhh Nina, I am so sorry to hear this...my Betsy had arthritis ( hips/spine ) all her life, diagnosed at 8 months. I sympathise entirely...but, there are many drugs and techniques out there which may help to keep her much more comfy than she is at present, and can help to deal with flare-ups. It sounds as if you have a great vet and access to good complimentary medicine and I like that she can still do a little bit of agility.
Dogs are incredibly stoic when it comes to pain, arent they. I know that Foxie is in the best hands....and send hugs to you all xxx |
_________________ WomanLovesNosesAnTruffes |
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Heidiwuff
Friend for Life


Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Posts: 2598
Location: Hayes Middx
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:56 am |
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Poor Foxie - and poor Nina, the worry of it must have been unbearable. At least you know what the cause is. (I know that doesn't make it better but - you know what I mean). Hugs to both of you, give her a stroke or 2 from me. xxxx |
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BryanIsabella
Master Friend


Joined: 25 Aug 2010
Posts: 466
Location: Haverfordwest
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 9:05 am |
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oh Nina so sorry to read about Roxie but the vet seem;s to be very good aith prognosis Hug's to Roxie and yourself, keep us posted
Issy Gem and Izzie
and Bryan
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_________________ Isabella. Bryan & Izzie and Gem.
Never forgetting Jack & Sandy. |
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Jacquietwig
Friend for Life


Joined: 20 Apr 2011
Posts: 9166
Location: East Kent, UK
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:36 am |
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So sorry Nina, poor Foxy. As others have said it seems you have a very good vet who is up for complimentary treatments which I'm sure will help. |
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Mac & Tali
Friend for Life


Joined: 04 Jan 2009
Posts: 2938
Location: Devon
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:47 am |
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The X-Ray clearly shows the problem doesn't it... Poor Foxie. She's in good hands though, with you and your Vet.
Hugs from us to you. Mxx |
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kathryn
Friend for Life


Joined: 07 Jul 2010
Posts: 6729
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 2:53 pm |
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Oh poor Foxie, so sad for such a young and very active girl. I really feel for you Nina.
I know that over here Yumove advance has had very good results for Arthritis and also CBD oil. There is a group on Facebook with regards to the CBD oil. |
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Scruffymuffins
Friend for Life


Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 19308
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Posted:
Thu Apr 25, 2019 2:59 pm |
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Poor Foxie, i'm so sorry Nina sending her a gentle hug.x |
_________________ Kirstancourt Kadilac - Baxter
9th March 2007 - 16th November 2017
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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 7:03 am |
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Thank you so much for your support, it is greatly appreciated by Foxie et me!
I finally took her to the vet's on Thursday afternoon as the weekend was getting closer and her condition hadn't improved, and I didn't want her to be in pain with no possibility of relief, and my vet prescribed NSAI tablets (Cimalgex) to be taken for 3 days only. Foxie started to feel much better yesterday - no more burping, and she ate her whole dinner last night. I'm relieved for her! No long walk today, only a short one this afternoon. The weather has been much nicer since yesterday, which I suppose will help too. I am really looking forward to the appointment with the vet-osteopath on May 6th - not too long to wait now... |
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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judy g
Friend for Life


Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 11875
Location: West Country
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Posted:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:53 am |
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Oh brilliant news for Foxie et toi, Nina! It is wonderful when you see them out of pain...and the 6th isnt too long now....take it easy, the both of you xx |
_________________ WomanLovesNosesAnTruffes |
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Jacquietwig
Friend for Life


Joined: 20 Apr 2011
Posts: 9166
Location: East Kent, UK
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Posted:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:40 am |
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That's good Nina, maybe you could find a natural anti inflammatory that will help her and can be taken long term safely. Things like Turmeric, Bromelain, Rose hip, Devils claw, Celadrin. |
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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 11:13 am |
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Jacquie, a friend whose 10-year old Beardie also has arthritis (in her elbows) has given me the recipe for turmeric paste, it's quite easy to make. However, I'll wait untill our appointment on May 6th, as one of the 3 vets in that clinic is also a qualified phytotherapist and I'm sure he can tell me which among all the natural remedies is/are the best for Foxie - there are so many that I find it difficult to choose! |
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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snowleopard
Friend for Life

Joined: 17 Mar 2011
Posts: 1496
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Posted:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 7:58 pm |
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Hi Nina,
Really sorry to read about Foxie. I hope she feels much better soon.
Thinking of you and Foxie
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Gerrie
Friend for Life


Joined: 29 Nov 2007
Posts: 6845
Location: Northamptonshire
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Posted:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:23 am |
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So sorry Nina. My Moll who will be 13 on May Day, is stiff and I don’t want to go down the medication route as Beardies are so sensitive to drugs. I have always incorporated fish in their diets for joints and they have Yumove advanced every day. She soon races up and down the house when the leads come out.
Let us know how you are getting on please. XX |
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Gerrie Two Tins - chicken wrangler. Mistress of the Flock. Keeper of the Kitchen Garden and Mistress of the Kennel. |
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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:32 am |
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Thank you so much for all your encouragements and advice. Yesterday Foxie seemed to have overcome her bout of arthritisn with the help of the NSAI tablets . Like Gerrie and some other friends here, I am not a big fan of that type of chemical either and am currently trying to find the best natural products that can help her. I'll see what the vet-osteopath says on May 6... |
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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judy g
Friend for Life


Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 11875
Location: West Country
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Posted:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:16 am |
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Hi - if it is of any consolation at all, my Betsy ( BeardieBorder ) was on Metacam and the like off and on for most of her life - and in the later years of her life mainly on, and on the full dose. She had no problems with stomach/bowels etc, and the drugs kept her mobile and cheerful. She was also on Synoquin from about 9 months old.
I was fearful of meds and still am really, but have to say that for her, the NSAIDs when and as needed made a complete difference to her....
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_________________ WomanLovesNosesAnTruffes |
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DoubleTrouble
Friend for Life

Joined: 24 Jun 2009
Posts: 2081
Location: Reading, Berks
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Posted:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:48 pm |
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Oh dear Nina, just catching up on Foxie's troubles.
It must be worrying trying to find the right treatment for her. I hope the consultant can give you some positive news on your visit.
Thinking of you and Foxie. Xx |
_________________ Helen, Dougall and Fergus
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Sandownbeardie
Friend for Life


Joined: 28 Oct 2016
Posts: 539
Location: Wiltshire
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Posted:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:32 pm |
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Am on the hooman equivalent of Yumove, having heard the benefits for dogs. Good luck Foxie x
I will report back, but my nose is nice and cold and wet at the moment  |
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The late great Scooby |
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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Tue Apr 30, 2019 5:57 am |
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There are lots of natural remedies on offer - Canisil, Pernacox and others, all containing some ingredients well-known for being efficient for arthritis. Has anyone ever tried Pernacox? Its main active ingredient is green-lipped mussel extract. I am rather tempted to try it... |
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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Mac & Tali
Friend for Life


Joined: 04 Jan 2009
Posts: 2938
Location: Devon
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Posted:
Tue Apr 30, 2019 7:02 am |
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I used it last summer ... it helped my mobility, with only minor side effects.
Me in North Cornwall last year ...
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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Tue Apr 30, 2019 7:07 am |
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Oh but you look wonderful, Mark!!! However, I hope Foxie won't have the same side effects when she takes those tabs:  |
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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Sandownbeardie
Friend for Life


Joined: 28 Oct 2016
Posts: 539
Location: Wiltshire
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Posted:
Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:33 pm |
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All looks a bit fishy to me  |
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The late great Scooby |
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judy g
Friend for Life


Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 11875
Location: West Country
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Posted:
Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:41 pm |
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_________________ WomanLovesNosesAnTruffes |
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Nina07
Friend for Life


Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 4245
Location: Ardeche - France
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Posted:
Wed May 01, 2019 5:42 am |
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Nina, Foxy Lady, Wapi, Biba & Naïs (Miss You and Noisette forever in my heart). |
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Gerrie
Friend for Life


Joined: 29 Nov 2007
Posts: 6845
Location: Northamptonshire
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Posted:
Wed May 01, 2019 7:42 am |
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Nice of you to show us your muscles ,  |
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Gerrie Two Tins - chicken wrangler. Mistress of the Flock. Keeper of the Kitchen Garden and Mistress of the Kennel. |
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