Hindquarter weakness in my Maggie Moo
The vet had recommended Dasaquin about a year ago and it helped for a while but not any longer. I don't hink she is in pain, but I fear that she may be and it breaks my heart. Currently she is not on pain meds and the vet isn't in favor of them. Just age they say which is probably true but not easy to watch. She still enjoys her dinner and walks about a mile each night. I wonder if that is doing more harm than good but she does seem to enjoy getting out and sniffing. Any feedback would be appreciated if you've had a senior and have any suggestions of making her more comfortable. Thanks, Lorraine |
|
|
| Our 12.5 year old has lost almost all of the muscle mass in his back end and also cannot get himself up unless he's on a carpet. We have done several different regimens, in addition to supplements (glucosimine and condroitin), he takes Duramax daily to help with joint inflammation and pain (after tries of several other things over the last few years). I won't call it a miracle drug by any means, but I think it's given him an extra year I wasn't sure he'd have. In every other way he's still great - can hear, see, eats, wants to chase cats and squirrels, is still the best dog ever. He just can't get up and around like he used to.
A mile walk daily is great. Mine can hardly do half of that. Sounds like she's in good shape for her age. 13+ is a great life span. |
| I think the glucosamine chondroitin did more for Lucy when she got old than any of the medications. I'd definitely recommend it as a supplement. |
| The Dasaquin that she has been on is a presciption form of the glucosamine chondroitin and it did help her for a while, but now she seems to be beyond that. |
| I wonder why the vet is against pain meds? does that include anti inflammatories like Vetprofen? I would think it would be important to keep the inflammation at bay. |
| I start my dogs on 1 tablet of Glucosomine/Chondroiton/MSM triple strength daily at the age of about 7 or 8. Both of my older ones have OFA excellent hips but as my vet said, what we are looking at is keeping the cushioning (cartilage) there & keeping arthritis at bay as much as possible. |
| my daytona just turned 14 and has the same problem all i suggest is plenty of love too it is hard to waht her on tile not being able to get up.. hugs to both of you |
| Another thing to consider is rubber backed runners on the tile & wood floor areas. They learn really quickly that the runners will give them more traction. |
| Portage is having the same back end weakness. His tests for Cushing's have all been borderline, so the vet has been hesitant to treat yet. I've been pushing. I think it's time.
Anyway, I think the walks are probably about the best thing in the world you can do for her, and wouldn't suggest giving them up. They are probably the reason she has been able to remain as strong as she has for so long. I also wonder why she isn't on pain meds. I know there are some long term concerns about them, but for a dog of her "senior" status I can't imagine worrying too much about what problems they might cause way down the road. I think making her happy and comfy now is really important. For Portage we put down a towel or small throw rug for him in any/all floors with slippery floors. We made sure to get that underlay stuff that keeps it in place, and it even works under his favourite towel. That has helped a lot. He's getting better at remembering to lay down on those. When he doesn't we help him. Also, I don't know if you've tried this, but when they are struggling to get up if you put your hand firmly on their neck/shoulder area, they learn to push off you for ballast. Portage greatly prefers this to the buttlift. We only do the buttlift if he just can't possibly find good footing and push up with his shoulders/neck to get up. It took a few tries for him to figure it out, but he took to it quickly. Our Theeps had bad knees his whole life, and we'd always put out a hand for him to use. He could struggle and get up on his own, but really seemed to appreciate the assistance. You don't really have to push on them, but just put light pressure on their neck/shoulder area and then don't move your hand. They press up against you and it helps them raise their back ends. I hope I've explained it okay. |
| I think that unless there is a reason NOT to use pain meds, I'd give them a try ASAP.
My old guy couldn't get up off of the floor without his pain meds -- they extended his life by years. One of the oldest posts on this board is about this, from 2003: Old Age Medications for Pain And this one, which has info and a couple of links on how to differentiate between Hip Dysplasia and Degenerative Myelopathy Shakes and Back End Problems Hope this helps. |
| Thanks to all of you for your insight. I spoke to the vet again and he has Maggie on some pain meds. It's been about a week and I don't know if it is my imagination but she seems a bit more peppy.
The important thing is her happiness and comfort at this point in life. Lorraine |
| It's good news if she seems happier/peppier! If she's been in pain for a long time, it may take a bit longer to get some muscle tone back if it is possible. I really hope it works out well. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|