When my old dog had the same problems it was Rimadyl which is also called carprofen I believe.
Metacam is a commonly used pain killer in most animals.
Phenylbutizone is most commonly used in horses and has a large list of problems it causes mainly liver problems.
Another painkiller given especially made for dogs is Previcox.Could it be that??

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Could steriod injections be an answer rona?

You might be onto something there, it wasn't the drug I used but it sounds as if it may do the job. I'm trying to get info before I chat to the vet on Wednesday
He's having Cartrophen injections at the mo, still waiting to see what effect they have.
I wouldn't go the steroid route for quite a while yet unless he was in a lot of pain. We have a lot of years of pain relief to consider.
It's a lot easier with an old dog, you just do whatever makes them more comfortable

I would certainly avoid steriods for as long a possible.
regards
DT

Previcox is an NSAID.

NOAH Compendium of Animal Medicines: Previcox Chewable Tablets - Introduction

This is a list of various drugs used for various joint/locomotor issues.

NOAH Compendium of Animal Medicines: Therapeutic Indication - Locomotor (including navicular and osteoarthritis)

Rona have u tried all the natural routes?
devils claw
arnica
tens machine or other electro magnetic therapy
accupuncture
massage
physio from approved animal physiotherapist
My worry is that he is not going to use his bad leg and lose the muscle tone then its even harder to get them built up and mobile again.
In simple terms pain causes restricted movement this leads to a reduction in fresh blood reaching the affected muscles which leads to muscle loss and tough adesions which result in chronic inflammation.
Have u stopped the hydro?
take a look at this site on more ifo re physio
Welcome to ACPAT

My main problem at the moment is that he is using the leg too much
Hydro is still once a week, no muscle loss noticeable yet.
I walk at about 6 miles an hour (absolutely knackering because he walks better and gets full leg extension at speed.
I can tell you, I really love it when we go where he can be off lead
I'm still looking at options at the moment, the cruciate has been my main concern until recently but it has been replace with osteoarthritis as the cruciate seems okish now

Naf animal products did a supplement called canine comfort this actually hepled dogs heal partial cruciate tears and prevent the need for surgery.
dont no if its still available though as they started repackaging etc but worth looking into.
Excellent that he is still swimming and still moble although not nice to see them with a limp its great he is still up about n using that leg well done u

Thanks, vet was amazed at how mobile all his joints are, even the bad one, but he has got quite a lot of thickening of the joint.
He only seems to suffer when he has had a run or twisted it. The bl**dy bunnies at the mo don't help, they keep showing him their tails and teasing him
That's why I am after instant pain relief, he doesn't need it all the time at the moment
I've got to try one thing at a time otherwise I won't know what works! The Cartrophen is the one for now.
Keep coming up with ideas, I may need them in the future.
Really appreciate everyones advice.
Apparently, the vets in my area don't very often perform surgery on partial tears, the hydro therapist has never dealt with one as far as she knows, and dogs go to her from several vet surgeries