If your pup is being treated for arthritis, most vets will prescribe steriods, aspirin and non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of the physical side affects can be scary, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney and liver damage. Used long term these drugs can destroy catilage and make the pain worse.

Rimadyl® for example, lists as reported possible adverse drug events as, gastrointestinal vomiting, anorexia and/or abnormal stools; pathology of the liver with or without general hepatic dysfunction; Neurologic, urinary pathologies with increased urination, thirst, increased Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine and/or abnormal urinalysis, behavior change; skin problems, immunologic/allergic pathologies and Death.

Steriods like prednisone, prednisilone, and injectables like Kenalog and Vetalog are devasting to the body over the long term use: they can actually bring on heart disease, diabetes, eye damage, osteoporosis, non-regnerative anemia, weaken the immune defense to disease and upset the body's water and electroyte balance.

Please discuss with you Vet fully before starting your Boxer on any of the above treatments.