Lucy’s initial options were Metacam and seraquin, but she refuses to eat food with Metacam (to the point she refuses to come in the kitchen!!) and at the time, I wasn’t brave enough to syringe her, then options were acupuncture or cartrophen (glucosamine injection, Buster had those, to help his cystitis as well as arthritis), I opted for acupuncture first as I didn’t think she’d accept it, but she has surprised me!! Not cheap at £43 a session, but the insurance covers it. Both acupuncture and cartrophen require a weekly visit for 4 weeks, then monthly, although the aim is to reduce if possible – they have some clients who only need acupuncture a couple of times a year, we’ve been going over a year and only just look like we can reduce it, but she did have a bad year last year. We are now back on Seraquin after her refusing it for months after her op, and she sits and waits in the kitchen doorway at 9pm every night for it, and I throw it for her to chase like a treat. My vet also uses JD food, I’m limited with Lucy’s food due to her kidney issues, but I do use one that has glucosamine/chondroitin in it, not sure if it is enough but looking into Hills renal + joint food next. Lucy does also have a heated bed on constantly. I've had to give her occasional Metacam recently cos we now only have one acupuncture trained vet, she is 5.2kg but I dose her for 4.5kg, she does have early stage renal failure so I prefer to do the minimum possible for her.
