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My old dog is almost 17 and has the same type problems. I too hate to put him down when he will go out and walk around yet he many times he can't get up without help and one back leg seems not to work when I first help him up. He has started loosing control over his bowls at times too
I will try the towel thing to see if that will help him when he is eating. I am taking him to the vet this week to see if there is anything else they can give him that will make his life easier.
Last edited by Keeper; 06-02-2009 at 09:26 AM..
Reason: edited post
hopes -- my 12-year old shih tzu has what sounds like different problems than your dog (arthritis, invertebral disc disease, luxating patellas), plus he's smaller, but maybe some of these solutions will work for you:
1. ramps. i have a ramp to help barnaby into bed, and i've seen people with bigger dogs use portable ramps to get them into their cars.
2. doggy stroller. i know this wouldn't work for you b/c of size, but i used to see a big dog in my 'hood being pulled around in a wagon so he could still get out at "walk time."
3. meds. in this past, i've given barnaby previcox and rimadyl for arthritis and invertebral disc disease...but his vet thinks the previcox caused him to have a stomach ulcer. so now he takes neurontin instead (and tramadol for days he has back/muscle spasms).
4. elevated bowls. these haven't really worked for barnaby, but i have heard that they work for some dogs who are too shaky to stand when they eat.
5. heating pads and massage. these two things are really good for barnaby when applied to his achy parts.
6. the swimming is a GREAT idea...i don't have anywhere for barnaby to swim. plus, he still wants to walk and is little enough that i can carry him when he poops out. but i would totally have him swim if we lived near a facility that would allow it.
so, in short, YES, i do absolutely think you can help your dog stay mobile!
hopes -- my 12-year old shih tzu has what sounds like different problems than your dog (arthritis, invertebral disc disease, luxating patellas), plus he's smaller, but maybe some of these solutions will work for you:
1. ramps. i have a ramp to help barnaby into bed, and i've seen people with bigger dogs use portable ramps to get them into their cars.
2. doggy stroller. i know this wouldn't work for you b/c of size, but i used to see a big dog in my 'hood being pulled around in a wagon so he could still get out at "walk time."
3. meds. in this past, i've given barnaby previcox and rimadyl for arthritis and invertebral disc disease...but his vet thinks the previcox caused him to have a stomach ulcer. so now he takes neurontin instead (and tramadol for days he has back/muscle spasms).
4. elevated bowls. these haven't really worked for barnaby, but i have heard that they work for some dogs who are too shaky to stand when they eat.
5. heating pads and massage. these two things are really good for barnaby when applied to his achy parts.
6. the swimming is a GREAT idea...i don't have anywhere for barnaby to swim. plus, he still wants to walk and is little enough that i can carry him when he poops out. but i would totally have him swim if we lived near a facility that would allow it.
so, in short, YES, i do absolutely think you can help your dog stay mobile!
hang in there...and good luck at the vet's...
I made sets of steps for my vehicles so that my boys could get in and out when they had bad legs. Now i've got a set in the back of the Focus and another for the pick-up.
Adequan injections, 2 a week for 4 weeks made a significant difference for my last old black lab mix. Along with the supplements mentioned....
I try to stay in the present moment with him and not dwell on what is coming very soon.
No matter how long they are with us it's never enough time. What a blessing and joy it is to have them share their lives with us.
Adequan is definitely worth trying. Although expensive, when it works, it's like a miracle. I had incredible results giving adequan to an older dog with back issues whose other health problems made a dorsal laminectomy a poor option.
It sounds as if you are doing your utmost to give your boy pleasurable experiences and gentle care. I'm sure the vet will be able to provide him some relief with medication. You might consider massage therapy and even accupunture/accupressure. There is a body of scientific evidence that those treatments do help.
Where do you live, Hopes? Just asking because there are specialists here in Portland (Oregon) who have physical therapy for dogs as well as hydrotherapy pools. Is that what you mean by "dog swimming pools"?
I did read your initial post, but sometimes it is hard for me to know what to say. I know how much I love my dog(s), past and present, and when I look at him I see him getting older, sometimes just stopping on our walks because he starts limping and wants me to carry him. I think it's wonderful that you have such love for your dog and are doing everything you can to do right by him.
Blessings to everyone who rescues these treasures. Good luck to you, Bones.
Where do you live, Hopes? Just asking because there are specialists here in Portland (Oregon) who have physical therapy for dogs as well as hydrotherapy pools. Is that what you mean by "dog swimming pools"?
Pittsburgh. There are dog parks with salt water swimming pools here.
At that age and symptoms and if you are willing to pay the $$, I would still inquire about the Adequan injections and see if your vet thinks they would be helpful. We saw a lot of improvement in older dogs, but most owners were put off on the costs. Ask him if the supplements would be a good thing now. It's great that now they have senior foods with glucosamine in it, but I wonder what levels it would actually have....
At that age and symptoms and if you are willing to pay the $$, I would still inquire about the Adequan injections and see if your vet thinks they would be helpful. We saw a lot of improvement in older dogs, but most owners were put off on the costs. Ask him if the supplements would be a good thing now. It's great that now they have senior foods with glucosamine in it, but I wonder what levels it would actually have....
I had the same question. A pet nutritionist at Boston's Angell Memorial Hospital told me that the amount of glucosamine in senior foods is too small to be therapeutic. She recommends supplements given separately.
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