Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 11/29/2008

Question
I have a German Shepherd and Border Collie mix that has a bad problem with arthritis and mange. She has arthritis in both of her back legs and hips. Her arthritis is so bad that she can't walk. She cries when she moves and it looks like someone broken her back legs. She also has mange for the second time and it has weakened her a lot so she is not strong enough to fight it off and take the pain. She is getting dog aspirin for the arthritis and Brewers Yeast for her mange. I am not sure what else to give her and it is too cold to bathe her in the mixture we used the last time she had mange. I don't know what to do for her and I am hoping that you can please tell me something to at least ease her pain.

Answer
There are better ways of treating both arthritis and mange.  Aspirin causes too much intestinal problems for the minimal benefit.  There are many dog specific pain relievers specially formulated to treat pain.  Mange can be treated with oral ivermectin or a series of dippings in an amitraz solution.  Check with your vet.