Hi,
Just wanted to add my congrats too. I'm new here but I've been following Champs story. I am so glad he's going to be ok. Give him a hug for me!
When he gets totally recovered, you might try putting him on Ester C for his arthritis. It works great! Not regular vitamin C but Ester C. It doesn't have the acid in it so it's easy on their stomachs. I started Bear (100 lb rottie, 14 yr old) on 2000 mg a day. Just within a few days I noticed a big difference. I've since cut him down to 1000 mg. a day. I do know it works on people too. I've got my 17 yr old daughter on it. She's got arthritis in both her knees. When she starts complaining they're hurting, I ask if she's taking it and she'll give me this sheepish look and say no. I'll start her back on them and she'll notice a difference in a couple of days.
Again, congrats to Champ for doing better!
God Bless.