@Sorbate - I am not a vet and will not discuss anyone who gives their dogs anabolic steroids so they look bigger. If you want a bigger dog, find the right breed with the right pedegree for size. You did not, but I know multiple threads that have gone down that road and it was for the wrong reason - enough said.
I agree with your comment, but you can save your dog or cat or pet a lot of pain if you have a vet who will discuss alternative treatments (don't mean glucasamine or chondroiten), and why they have medications and peptides that work incredible for animals, but won't use them. They will reach for Meloxicam and if bad enough tramadol which is a useless medication for serious chronic pain. If those don't work throw in a muscle relaxer and nerve medication.
I won't watch any animal live in pain and I gave my best buddy 3-4 years of pain free life thanks to learning from members/owners of labs/veterinarian feed/product stores/and two vets who agree 100% how well they work.
I watched a dog go from screaming pain just to stand up, and needed me to carry him on stairs, use a towel to support his back for walking for two weeks while on meloxicam, tramadol, robaxin, and neurontin and then swapped for Lyrica - 4 pain meds that did nothing. I was going to have to put him down. 3 days of specific peptides (he was given human dosages of medication because he was the size of a small man) and it was like he was sured for months. When it was bad, one shot of a long acting anti-inflammatory and he was good for two weeks. Zoomies, playing with other dogs, but I did retire from any protection work but he still led the pack on long walks as he was the Alpha among the dogs.
I think everyone should talk to their vet, but many vets are now assembly lines to make money. Find a good one.
There was a huge class action suit from people due to vision loss and it is no longer a first reach medication for many vets, but I am sure you can still get it in Canada. I will ask my vet when I see her next but believe it is available for animals (Cartrophen Vet and popular with cats).
vcacanada.com
I think it varies per Province.