Thanks for this link, Poco, I will have to get some for my girl, Angel.  This year her arthritis is really acting up and I have worries about her previously prescribed pain meds   My vet just prescribed her Previcox (I've never used this drug before and will be researching it), today.  Also, he has me starting her on 3VCaps which is a concentrated source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids with Vitamin E and a product called ProMotion by Virbac. 

I hope this helps her, she's been hobbling around here all weekend and my vet's office was closed extra days because of the holiday and I had to wait until today to get her some new meds.  Her usual baby aspirin wasn't working and I don't like to give her it too often for fear of problems it can cause.

Poco, Angel has arthritis in her front elbow and  rear hip (same side of her body-poor thing).  She's been on glucosamine for quite some time, the ProMotion is supposed to have a combination of antioxidants and glucosamine which is "supposed" to be better than her previous supplement.  She's been resting on her heated bed all weekend and I've been keeping her as quiet as possible.  Overall, she's an active dog, likes to run around guarding the birdfeeders from the mean ole squirrels and loves going for walks.  Right now, I've had to stop her walks and watch her when she goes outside to do her business so she's not running around like a fool.

Hopefully, I can get the right combination to get her pain back under control.  We had it well managed until about a month ago, I really hate seeing her struggling getting up and hobbling around. 

Welcome to Itchmo, lala!  Sorry Cedar is having a rough time with getting relief safely.  Poco just had a bad time with meds, so I know what you mean about just wanting a break from them.

Did the vet say if Cedar had arthritis or IVD?  It wouldn't hurt to try Vetri-Disc for arthritis, but it doesn't seem to work as well as other things for that.  But if it is IVD like Poco and my previous dog had, that seems the best.  We also benefited from acupunture.  And the fish oil seems to help both conditions.  People here have said that if you use fish oil, some additional vitamin E is needed in the diet.  Some formulas include that already for you.

Reply #306 by kaffe talks about that/
http://itchmoforums.com/help-with-my-sick-pet/need-some-good-thoughts-for-kd-t1870.0.html;msg67802#msg67802

I think some people here use Monica Segal's product and she has some information here.

http://www.monicasegal.com/health/jointsupport.php

Here is where I get Poco's Vetri-Disc.  They have a good price.

http://www.healthypets.com/vetridisc.html

Then they have other joint relief aids.

http://www.healthypets.com/nutsupforjoi.html

I'll be hoping to hear that you find something that helps Cedar.  (Cedar is a dog, right?)

Welcome to Itchmo, Lala.  Hope the meds work out for Cedar, let us know.  I know I'm having to try new meds and would appreciate what results others are having.

Welcome, Lala. I hope you can find a way to help Cedar.

For senior dogs with aches, don't for get that a slight chill may make it worse, even around the home. When Dot (non senior) was having problems from a neck injury, I made jackets/tops for her to wear around the apt out of sweatshirt material. I also used it on days when it wasn't really cold enough for a jacket just to make sure she didn't get a chill at the beginning of the walk.  I also would put it on her after an outdoor play session to make sure she didn't chill on cooling down. (think athlete) They were 2 different weights and the light one was great around the apt. On super cold days, she wore it 24/7 and I just put her reg jacket over when we went out. I also used a scarf around her neck if I felt it was needed. If you don't feel like sewing, check the children's or infant departments for long sleeve T's and light weight sweatshirts. You can just slit the bottom so you can tie the ends around the waist.

Another helpful thing was  rice (or other grains) in cotton warm packs. I just sewed up a bunch of pillow type shells and filled with rice (and dried lavender and chamomile). I'd heat them in the microwave and place them under her bed/couch blanket. (cats like them also  )

For pain, MSM, Vit C and a third supplement that's escaping my mind helped the most. She was (is) also getting salmon or flax seed oils.

And also think about doing gentle massages and ask your vet if you should be doing any gentle PT (since they aren't getting a lot of activity) so they aren't stiffening up, etc.

Vetriscience is a brand my vet (traditional and holistic) carries. Haven't used their pain ones, but had excellent results with the UT and Bladder ones. This of course was pre-recall, but it is a brand I would be willing to check out if I needed it again. And with 2 16yo kitties, something tells me it's in my future, lol!~

Welcome, lala!  I'm glad you brought up this topic.  We'll be treating Jake with something as more of a maintenence med than a cure after his course of Rimadyl is finished.  We already do fish oil and sometimes if out of his canine fish oil, we have used just what we take.  The vet seemed pretty specific about using canine only, but then the topic changed and I didn't ask why.  Anyone know why fish oil gelcaps for humans would not be good for a dog?  We also do vit E.  Jake's supplements usually come from Monical Segal, but if mail is slow we tend to run out.