Hi Pam,

Thanks for your message.

It sounds like you are very concerned about your dog and want only the best for her. There are many options for managing chronic orthopaedic pain in dogs, some of which you have mentioned. These include anti-inflammatory medications, opioids and other classes of prescription pain medication, supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussel and omega fatty acids, joint support diets, physiotherapy and complementary treatments such as laser therapy and acupuncture.

Often, veterinarians will recommend more than one treatment to manage chronic pain, known as a “multi-modal” approach. This allows us to approach the pain from different angles, giving an overall better result than if just one treatment is used. Treating chronic pain can certainly become costly over time. I would encourage you to discuss these concerns with your veterinarian. Depending on your pet’s specific condition, there could be other medications and treatments that will allow you to continue to keep your dog comfortable. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you further on the best course of action for your dog and financial situation. I hope this gives you some insight.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kim Hester