12 year old dog arthrits

[bluepongo99]

My dog is 12 year old and has arthrits and the vet told me to use glucosamine. In the summer time he does not need it. Now my dog is whimpering and shakeing, when I pet him he stops. This started a couple of days ago. The weather got really cold fast and I just started him back on glucosamine. Does this sound like the arthrits acting up or do I need to worry? How much glucosamine can I give him? I hate when my dog is in pain, I have had him since I was in kindergarden.

[Dan Sims, DVM]

I would take your hound dog in for an exam but it sounds like arthritis is the problem.
There are better medications you can use in addition to glucosamine such as deramaxx and rimadyl.
The human adult dosage for glucosamine can be used on your pet.

[meeshelle01]

Rimadyl nearly ruined my dogs liver & kidneys.
My baby has hip dysplasia and arthritis in her knees.
I have her on glucosamine and chondroitin. I recently read this may be pointless, but  I figure it is not hurting so I still use them.  occasionally I give her tramadol 50 mg but only sparingly when she can barely walk, like once every other month.  sometimes I put a moist heating thing (the kind you put in the microwave) on her knees,  mainly keep her warm in the winter=)