Bulldogs World

I posted earlier about how Reuben, 12.5 yrs old, is starting to have problems walking, he would look "drunk" kinda as he stumbles, would sometimes fall over at the back end.....Ok, so after the vet said to try Aspirin for Reuben for 7 days, to see if it's inflammtion maybe, well the aspirin worked like magic! He was back to normal within a couple days it seems..... however, that 7 days is over and been only two days since and already getting back to what he was like.... and I know aspirin is hard on stomachs etc, and not good to give daily, so my question is...

is there any safe alternatives that do the same as Aspirin for dogs?

He is on Glucosamine, Chrondroitin and MSM pills every day, they help but not as effective... what I did read up on and find is this.... 

"One of the reasons veterinarians no longer recommend aspirin for dogs is because newer pain relieving medications that have less side effects, and are more targeted, are available. Of course, another big reason is that aspirin, in the dosage needed to relieve pain, actually destroys cartilage. This is obviously extremely undesirable in diseases like arthritis where cartilage is destroyed anyway. One of the most popular NSAID's prescribed by vets for arthritis is Rimadyl (carprofen). It generally doesn't upset a dog's stomach, and provides good releif from pain. It also seems to slow down the progression of arthritis, and importantly, does not damage cartilage. Dogs on carprofen need to have their liver function monitored. It is given twice a day. Other veterinary prescribed NSAID's include Etogesic (etodolac), Deramaxx (deracoxib), Metacam (meloxicam), Zubrin (tepoxalin), and Previcox (firocoxib). There is also a medication available that falls into the category of a chrondoprotectorant. Chrondoprotectorants help prevent further destruction of cartilage. Called Adequan, this medication is quite effective at relieving pain as well. Adequan helps cartilage repair itself, stimulates the production of healthy joint fluid, and blocks the effect of enzymes that contribute to inflammation. It is given by injection twice a week for four weeks, and is most effective in the early stages of arthritis.

So.. anyone know what works well besides Aspirin? My Vet did say Metacam, I may try that see if helps