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OA Diagnosis, Pain Identification
 CAM Forum User
CAM Forum User
18 January 2022 at 4:22 pm

Behavioural changes – restless

Hi all,

My 11 year old Weimaraner Toby was diagnosed with OA about 4 months ago. He seems to be struggling to get comfortable and settle through the night. He seems to get up a lot more than before and is turning round a lot (trying to find a comfortable position I’m assuming), he also seems to be licking/ smacking his lips a lot- which I’m interpreting as pain/ discomfort. I make sure he has pain relief 1 hour before bed, he has Casper memory foam XL bed and I ensure the room isn’t too cold. Does anybody have any suggestions of possible remedies that might help him settle?

Some additional background info about Toby in case it might be relevant;

  • Exercise- I am still experimenting with his exercise routine, at the moment I’m testing 2 or 3 x 30 min walks per day around the local area and park (on his lead) rather than the 1-1.5hrs at the beach we used to do daily.
  • Weight- currently 38kg, we are trying to get him down to 36.5kg ideally.
  • Medication/ health issues- He has a very sensitive stomach/ digestion and takes Galliprant 1000mg for the OA (once daily first thing before food) instead of Carprieve or Loxicom for this reason. He also takes Zitac 200mg 1 x AM & 1 x PM for the stomach/ digestion sensitivity (he reacts badly to Omeprazole), Thyforon 800ug for an under active thyroid, YuMove Senior for his joints and Pardale V 3 times per day for OA pain. He has a number of fatty lumps, some of times these have to be removed- a recent removal on his leg has meant we haven’t been able to try hydrotherapy yet.
  • Mobility- actually still good, the OA is not really noticeable- he can’t scratch his ears anymore (which was how we spotted something was wrong initially). He has slowed down a lot over the past 12 months but doesn’t stop walking or running and always seems eager. Sometimes he walks gingerly on his back right leg.

Many thanks,
Emma

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  • CAM Responded

    18 January 2022 at 4:24 pm

    Hey

    I think you are experiencing how hard managing this condition is and how hard co-morbidities is as well.

    As you know the failing to settle at night could be linked to any of his ongoing issues. It is a case of detective work.

    There are numerous things to do and that can be done – nothing comes with a promise but instead a gradual elucidation of what could be causing it and what can be down to manage it.

    1. Have you had bloods done recently – it would be a good time to investigate systemic function and ensure you have not underlying complaints that can be muddying the picture.
    2. Has your vet been able to localise and categorise the pain – is it joint related? is there a neuropathic component? is there soft tissue pain like muscle pain? these respond to different approaches and you may find your dog needs an adjunct medication or the addition of another therapy such as physiotherapy
    3. your dog may be sensitive to the Galliprant and ceasing administering it for a while will allow you to see if the signs which could be gut related subside.

    I would definitely start diarising your observations so you can tally cause with effect.

    Regards
    Hannah

  • CAM Forum User

    18 January 2022 at 4:27 pm

    Hi Hannah,

    Thank you for the swift reply! Answers in line…

    1. Have you had bloods done recently – it would be a good time to investigate systemic function and ensure you have not underlying complaints that can be muddying the picture. Bloods last reviewed 10/12/20- nothing abnormal found, although his thyroid levels were on the high side and his Thyforon dosage increased from 1 tablet daily to 1.5. He is due a check up at the vets in the first week of April, I’ll ask for blood work to be done again.
    2. Has your vet been able to localise and categorise the pain – is it joint related? is there a neuropathic component? is there soft tissue pain like muscle pain? these respond to different approaches and you may find your dog needs an adjunct medication or the addition of another therapy such as physiotherapy X-Rays taken on 10/12/20 confirmed the OA in both rear hip joints. The vet didn’t believe there was any soft tissue damage (she’d been observing him for this for the 2 months prior to the x-rays being taken- all medication was also stopped, Carprieve & Loxicom).
    3. your dog may be sensitive to the Galliprant and ceasing administering it for a while will allow you to see if the signs which could be gut related subside. This is definitely possible. At the next vet check up I will speak with the vet about another period without OA/ anti-inflammatory meds.

    Would a raised bed be worth considering? I’m currently training him to use a step in order to help him get on the couch etc.

    Many thanks,
    Emma

  • CAM Forum User

    18 January 2022 at 4:27 pm

    I didn’t mention in my original post that over the last 2 years or so Toby has become quite aggressive in certain circumstances (although it seems to becoming more random and unpredictable). I didn’t think to mention this but I’ve just watched the pain and aggression video on the CAM YouTube channel. For this reason I’m very reluctant to try hydrotherapy or physiotherapy now that his latest lump removal has healed. I assumed the aggression was down to typical Weim anxiety, I’ve consulted 2 behaviourists to try and tackle this problem without success.

  • CAM Responded

    18 January 2022 at 4:29 pm

    Morning

    I’m afraid I can’t comment on raised beds – it is individual to the dog and you’d need to trial and see their response.

    With regards to oft tissue involvement I think it’s hard to be sure that there isn’t soft tissue involvement either local or distant to the primary source. Some would say it is impossible to mot have secondary changes elsewhere. A physiotherapist has different skills to a vet and would be a good candidate for a full body investigation. They are generally very sympathetic and capable to handling worries dogs that have learnt aversive  methods gets people to leave them alone.
    watching the live with Gemma on gait and free work would be wise as would the live with Michelle Broadhurst.

    With the behavioural response, the unsettled at night and the licking I would be concerned there is still a pain component that needs to be addressed and a multidisciplinary skill base may help you.

    Regards,
    Hannah

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