Q. I have an elderly dog suffering from painful arthritis in knee and hip. Can I use the gin soaked golden raisins with her safely? How many?
She's been X-rayed so I know it's arthritis. She hobbles around painfully. I'm already giving her a nutraceutical that has liquid glucosamine and chondroitin. Any advice on how to help her is greatly appreciated.
A. Do NOT give your dog raisins, gin-soaked or otherwise! Although humans may benefit from this remedy, veterinarians have found that raisins and grapes are dangerous for dogs and may cause kidney problems.
Glucosamine and chondroitin first became popular in treating dogs with arthritis, so it makes sense to continue that supplement. Your vet might be able to prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug such as meloxicam or a pain reliever like tramadol to ease your dog’s discomfort. An extract of green-lipped mussels might also be worth a try (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Feb. 15, 2007).
