I have a 10-11ish yr old boxer with bad arthritis in his right knee. He injured his ACL years ago, but this isn't an ACL injury. The vet said it's possible he has cartilage folded up in the joint. He doesn't tolerate Rimadyl or Deramaxx, he acts like he's on speed with them. He gets acupuncture regularly and daily fish oil, gluco/chon, MSM and aspirin for the arthritis. He's also on Solitary Hermit (Chinese teapills) prescribed by the vet.

I'm wondering if Arnica would help when he's particularly gimpy, or does it not work for arthritis-related injuries? The vet said today he's lost muscle mass in the leg because he's not putting weight on it. He's not showing any pain. Water therapy isn't an option because he hates water and I can't afford that on top of the acupuncture. The vet said the only other option would be Tramadol, but since he's not really showing pain (although he's very stoic and I doubt he would) I don't really want to try that.

I have the 30cc Arnica tablets, and gave him 2 every four hours one day when it was really bad and didn't see much improvement. Is that enough of a dose for a 71 lb dog?

Any other suggestions?

I think there are other homeopathics better suited for arthritis pain; I just can't think of them right at the moment. I think Arnica is more for muscle pain and acute bruises. I wonder if something like Dog Gone Pain might be more helpful? I know that helped Bodie's stiff little joints when he had an active Lyme infection.

Arnica is for muscle for sure....is it inflammation that causes the pain?

Is it rhus tox that's used for arthritis?

I give Arnica only when I know my dogs may have over done it. It's good for sprains, bruises and over exertion. It can be good for pain as well.

We use Rhus tox for which is great for pain and stiffness that gets better with movement. We give Rhus tox to the dogs when they seem in pain form arthritis and seems to work. For Dillon we were using it daily for a little while. We also use Ruta which worked perfectly for our older Newf Cassie when she was going through a difficult time with her back. Ruta is for injuries to the tendons surface of bone and cartilage.

For Dillon where he has so many problems ruptured ACL, elbow problems, and spinal cord problems the Vet prescribed him Cartrophen which is injected into his blood stream every 4-6 weeks or as needed. He can sometimes go longer in between injections. This really helped Dillon a great deal. Perhaps you could mention this to your vet.

I also give my dogs turmeric and ginger root daily - I love these herbs as an anti inflammatory my Rottie with severe HD is doing wonderful on them. I used to give yucca root, just don't over do it you can give yucca root 3 days on and 4 days off...I used to alternate between turmeric and ginger root and yucca.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've decided to try Dog Gone Pain. My vet says she has seen mixed results with it, but I figure it's worth a try. I need to dull the pain so he starts using that leg again.

RobinS, I'm not sure what's causing the pain. He's had problems on and off with this knee since an ACL injury 5 years ago that resolved itself. It's not severe that he's holding it up, just limping badly. I think he hurt it in the yard with Inga, because it was very sudden onset. Some days it's better than others. The acupuncture yesterday seems to have helped more than it did last time. The vet wondered if he got some cartilage folded up in the joint, or my thought is that a nodule on the joint broke off and is stuck in there.

I'll report back if the DGP works, and if so then my 3-legged mix with arthritis will be getting it too.

If it doesn't work, you might want to try one of the Heel products.
They have Traumeel, for lesser, short term injuries / overworking.
They have Zeel, for arthritis.
They have Inflammation, as well.

I know of other dog owners / on other lists who have used these products, but don't know the dosage. I just found and bought Zeel for myself.

You might try some Cetyl-myristoleate?

No chance of tick disease?

I didn't have great results with DGP, I found the turmeric and ginger root work much better for Athena. I make sure they are organic and the ginger root powder works better than fresh ginger root. Plus it really easy to find and cheap

We currently have Dillon on Flexxil which seems to be working for his arthritis. Every dog is different and what seems to work excellent for Athena does not necessarily work well for Dillon etc. But, while trying different things be sure to give them a chance.

Of couse as everyone mentions rule out other things before hand as well. For me with many homeopathic treatments I use only on a as needed basis not something for everyday preventative.