GSD attacking his own elbow - Page 2

I think it's ridiculous to say "Natural Treatments" are a waste...They can be of great use if used correctly and the good thing about them is there's very little Side Effects from them...
But...You have a number of ways to go...Go to another Vet or a University Vet and get to see an Animal Neurologist...or...You could get an MRI...but I think it might be a reaction to another problem...such as a Pinched Nerve or the such...I would consider the Animal Neurologist...

~Bob~

There are no side effects*...and no effects, in general. If there isn't any evidence to support the use of a treatment, it's a waste of time and money. But the snake oil salesmen are quite good at the marketing.

*there can definitely be side effects to untested supplements and treatments.

If you can buy it OTC, it will not work. There is a reason real drugs need prescriptions, its because they work, they need monitoring, they have side effects, etc.
I believe that a good protein powder works, I believe that a really good multi-vitamin works, but, other then that, save your money and go to a Dr when needed.
IF OTC supplements worked, they would not be OTC, I know, I have had many experiences with them, at least not in the USA.

There is phytotheraphy, homeopathy, acupunture, physiotherapy (more conventional or less conventional does not matter as long as it works),etc... Some are a bit strange to me, not knowing much.
There are things that only conventional medicine (more chemical or less chemical) can tackle, we have to understand that.It also depends on the problem and its severity, origin, type, etc... Old generations at least where i live (i believe around the world also) knew some things about treating their animal (horses for example) naturally through herbs or types of foods. Obviously most of the times they were more or less minor problems (digestive, acute conditions, minor chronic conditions,...).
Now even when using herbal therapies or other type its good to have some knowledge (be it scientific reports/literature, holistic veterinaries as they are called that have that knowledge and practice, or a good background of the old timers (older generations) experience using them. Well its a mix and believe me there are side effects for example using phytotherapy. You can go scientific phytotherapy (there are actually good scientific manuals about animal phytotherapy) or a bit of experimental (with a lot of caution). I repeat herbal theraphy have side effects, some plants are toxic if used wrong or wrong dosage, simply not tolerated,... (Cats for example are extremely sensible).

I see your veterinary as tried different classical approaches. Could it be behavioral? Allergy? Neurologic? Skin problem? Any more exams could be done? local byopsy, maybe not? My dog sometimes lick the outside of his elbow, or does small bites, but that sometimes is because is a bit more inflamed. Never experienced a dog doing that to the internal part of the elbow so vigorously. Like others said maybe a nerve (local or from other part, reflexed pain) if there isnt any tendon/Ligaments/joint problem. A second opinion is also good from some more experienced vet. Obviously sometimes things start to get too expensive...

For now i dont see any reason to go natural theraphies without knowing more about the issue. And even then natural therapies have its limitations depending on the problem to be treated. And about comercial supplements, i have mixed opinions, some seem to give results others not, sometimes its dubious.

Anyway my experience using phytotherapy is more about parasitic/liver/kidney/minor skin problems, topical or oral, isolated or with intermittent conventional approaches and yeah who knows my GSD might be quite resilient with or without phytotherapy :-)

The only way to accurately diagnose a pinched nerve is an MRI, if that's what it is. A good neurologist will know what to look for in a physical exam to tell if that is a possibility. If you go this route, shop around, First MRI my dog got was $4000, we got completely screwed, second was around $1500. If you are anywhere near a good university vet program I would go that route, they can have a whole team of vets looking into your dog's case instead of just getting one person's opinion.

We've tried the whole slew of alternative treatments for a pinched nerve, CBD/FECO, chiropractor, high quality joint supplements, cold laser therapy, none of it made a difference. I remain open minded that they may help some dogs but I think the positive benefits are largely exaggerated. Trying any of these things before even having the problem diagnosed would not be wise.

Correcting an imbalance - biomechanical, neurological, immunological, nutritional, etc., may require a more holistic, long term approach to resolve. Worth consideration. Whole food nutrition and natural supplements, exercise and fitness (physical, mental, emotional, heck even spiritual) for the dog as a preventative and restorative health practice is a sensible approach. There is a new movement to relook holistic and naturopathic methods. Unfortunately, synthetic prescriptions and invasive surgeries are pushed on pet owners by their vets more so now than ever. To what effect?? The GSD is just as unhealthy, short lived and riddled with ailments as ever. Spay/neuter puppies; hyper vaccinate; stuff them to obesity with unnatural feed; keep them sedentary…then pay the vets for these hard to diagnose, yet incessant health problems which develop over the dogs' life. There is a better approach to our dogs' wellness.