Senior Dogs & Arthritis, Roscoe the Rescued Rottie Shepherd

Roscoe has a great story. He is a geriatric 120-lb Rottie-Shepherd rescued through PAWS in Point Roberts, WA, two years ago. These last two years may have been the best in Roscoe's life; he is no longer tied up in a yardand he receives delicious food and love. But, like many seniors, he has developed mobility issues.

Proprioceptive Placing
When Roscoe first came to us, he did not know where his feet were in space. This is called proprioceptive placing (PP). With dogs like Roscoe, we can flip the feet over and they will stand on the back of the foot.

Pain Causes Stiffness
Roscoe also had pain over his hips and had stiff legs. When dogs have stiff legs, it’s because they have stopped bending their knees and ankles and elbows and wrists. Arthritic joints don't hurt when they aren’t moved, so dogs like Roscoe walk stiffly.

Metacam
To help with stiffness & pain, Roscoe's vet put him on the most commonly prescribed Canadian pain medication for arthritis, Metacam. Because Metacam doesn't improve the joints, Roscoe wasn't getting better. Fortunately, his family brought him in for holistic veterinary treatment. And, the fun started.

Holistic Vet Help for Arthritis
For dogs with severe musculoskeletal pain, there are plenty of changes we can make in diet, medications, supplements and therapy. First, we changed Roscoe’s diet to best reflect the natural German Shepherd diet, increasing the vegetables, fruit, and meat he received. We recommended increased fiber, such as cabbage. We recommended increased Omega 3 fatty acids, such as Missing Link, and recommended weight loss.

Acupuncture and Soft Laser Therapy for Arthritis
At his first visit, Roscoe received acupuncture. His back was very sensitive and only a few needles were tolerated. We used the soft laser to stimulate points that were too sensitive to needle. By the second acupuncture treatment, Roscoe was very comfortable receiving needles and soft laser therapy. We began electroacupuncture. By this time, Roscoe's proprioceptive placing had returned and he knew where his feet were in space. He was swimming with delight in the warm salt water pool.

Adequan and TCM Herbs for Arthritis and Pain
We started a series of Adequan injections. Adequan is given twice a week for 3 weeks then once a week for 4 weeks. We recommended a Traditional Chinese Herbal formula called Invigorate the Collaterals (Xiao Huo Luo Dan Wan). Invigorate the Collaterals reduces severe, persistent pain, reduces muscle spasm and helps with nerve compression and osteoarthritis, especially of the hin dlimbs. It moves, tonifies and transforms "phlegm."

Moxa for Arthritis & Pain
The family began using moxa to warm acupuncture points and extend the benefit of his treatments in clinic. Moxa is an herb rolled into a cigar shape. The herbal cigar is lit with a match and held near acupuncture points to warm them. It is also used along the back to relax the epaxial muscles.

Happy Dog
Using acupuncture, soft laser, herbs, Adequan, moxa, and therapeutic swimming, we're able to bring the joie de vivre back to Roscoe. You can see by the expression on his face that he is happy. I believe that like all rescued dogs, he is truly grateful for everything his family has done for him.

We cannot make Roscoe live forever, but we can give him an excellent quality of life for as long as he is with us.