Jack's legs
 His legs here shaved........and tomorrow so will the rest of him. 33/4 blade couldn't do the legs, his licking his coat turned that into a mine field, but maybe on the body. What is notieceable are his rear legs, no muscle! Yes, he's HD but all the extra pills and injections haven't done much for him. He is stumbling more and more back there so I suspect now some arthritis in the spine. It is so sad seeing such a big guy on these thin rear legs. Front legs are like stone pillars to support him. We never had the money to give him a complete rebuild back there.....it would have been around $15,000. His front right shoulder is also malformed.........just a horrible breeding and I suspect very poor exercise as a pup. His teeth show a lot of time spent chewing wire. It's so sad. I know he won't be around all that much longer.......a year, two due to his hips/legs. It's so sad. I'm glad he has been able to enjoy life once he got here. |
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| That sounds like Ginger. She was a GSP who originally was gotten by one of Todd's brothers as a young adult dog while in the Air Force. His wife thought the dog was too hyper, so she locked her in the basement all day. I will say in her defense, she was running a day care in their home, and she needed to keep the kids safe... and yes, Ginger WAS totally out of control. Finally, Todd's mom couldn't stand it anymore, and had her brought from SD to their house. Most of Todd's siblings trained dogs and competed in obedience in 4-H. (Not this son however, obviously  ) Mom never had trained a dog, but she thought "how hard can this be?"...ha, famous last words! She ended up wearing gloves in class, as her hands got very sore. But she stuck with it, and Ginger started to calm down. Youngest son Drew took over her training and she did wonderful with him. At that time Todd and I were married, I had Jenny, my GSD who I competed in obedience with and was a therapy dog. For a couple years Drew took Jenny and Ginger in as brace obedience and they were winners at the state level shows. But, then Ginger started having trouble with her hind end - she was about 3-4 years old. They went the conservative medical route, and she lived with her HD for years - she lived to be 12! But the last half of her life she was just massive in the chest and front end, and her poor rear end was just spindly and wasted away. It was so sad to see.  |
| I know this is hard. It's sad to see these beautiful spirits in crappy bodies that cause them pain. I've been shocked sometimes when taking Panda's coat off. I keep her on the thin side so she has more of an Olive Oyl type build with more Popeye in the front. You can tell she's using her front half to pull herself when she stands... when she runs. When we had Panda put under to scope her stomach, I asked them to x-ray her hips again. There's hardly any socket left... her right hip's the worst. The saddest part is that arthritis has set in in her lower spine. It was all lumpy and misshapened in the side view. The vet said they sometimes fuse vertebrae together to lessen the pain... her's did it naturally. Now I worry that if she falls she might crack the fused area. And she's thrown up blood before... meds are too harsh for her stomach... we had to stop all supplements for a while too. About two weeks ago, we started them again and also put her on Prevacox to see if she would benefit. I noticed she began stepping better rather than shuffling. Yay!! But then a couple of days ago I again noticed her hanging her head indicating stomach pain or upset. Sigh... I can't give it to her every day and will only give it on days she's more symptomatic. She's got to be in pain but seldom limps... more of a shuffle and sitting down more carefully. I'm going to look into some of the other supplements they talk about... Quote: Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASUs): ASU's are an extract of avocados and soybeans. There is some very promising research that indicates that ASU's can help protect cartilage, support cartilage repair, and decrease the discomfort associated with osteoarthritis. ASU's are thought to enhance the action of glucosamine and chondroitin. ASU's are found in Doctors Foster and Smith Premium Joint Care 3. Duralactin: Duralactin is a patented product obtained from the milk of grass-fed cows. It has been studied and marketed for the management of musculoskeletal disorders in dogs. This compound has anti-inflammatory properties and is available without a prescription. It may be used as a primary supportive nutritional aid to help manage inflammation or in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM): MSM is a natural, sulfur-containing compound produced by kelp. Sulfur is necessary for the production of collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin. MSM is reported to enhance the structural integrity of connective tissue, and help reduce scar tissue by altering components that contribute to scar formation. MSM has been promoted as having powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties, and is thought to work by blocking the pain perception in certain nerve fibers before the pain impulse reaches the brain. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe, Denosyl SD4): A recent product, Denosyl SD4, has been advocated for the management of osteoarthritis in people. The efficacy of this product for the management of osteoarthritis in animals has not been fully determined; however it is being used as a treatment for liver disease in dogs and cats. It has both anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. It may be used as a primary supportive nutritional aid to help manage inflammation or in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. She isn't yet a candidate for FHO... we're fortunate in this regard because NEOESR will help fund it if it's needed. You just don't want to do it too soon in case it's not successful or there are complications. Every night this dog sleeps at my left side by my leg... she can still jump up on the bed (a bed and box spring... no frame) but she likes to get her front half up and wait for me to boost her bottom... I cover her with a fleece blanket to keep her hips and back warm through the night. Maybe it just makes me feel better... she's my goofy girl that thinks it funny to sit on people's feet.  Quote: I'm glad he has been able to enjoy life once he got here. Unfortunately, like Panda and Ginger, Jack was destined to suffer due to HD. I do think they're fortunate though. Because they are loved, we'll do the best we can with what they have to work with.  |
| Jaci or Susan - if you would like to try MSM, I have a whole container of it! I got it thinking I would use it....but never have. Part of the reason is, it's a powder and has a bitter taste. My guys really didn't like it. What I would have needed to do was get those empty gel caps and fill them - making my own capsules. I never got that ambitious... But, if you would like to try it, I can send it to you. It's human stuff too. And just taking up space on my counter! |
  Jack is in line first because he's needing it more. Susan, you can pick up the gel caps at a pharmacy or order them online. We did this before with a supplement that didn't come in the right dosage. I've ordered Jim's oil supplement for his heart from this place before but there are also others! http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-849-now-f ... ogle_base& |
| Oops... you may have used the empty gel capsule before but thought I should mention that they come in different dosage sizes. You don't want to have to load two capsules if you can get by with one bigger one! |
Jack has been on MSM, glucosamine, chondroitin, hylauronic acid......Haven't done the "sammie" . Laugh about avocados......he'll take that straight from the fruit  He's on Rimadyl and doesn't complain, but he too shuffles and bunny hops. This a.m. I put him on the bed, big lift, and his hips just ground, yuck. I guess I could have him xrayed but why......I can't afford to given him a new rear. It doesn't help he rolls of the couch from time to time, right onto his back. So I've taken the cushions off, thus lowering the fall....his legs are too long, when he stretches he pushes himself off the couch. Also easier for him to get onto the couch. I'll go back over your post Jaci, to find something more for Jack. He's always willing to try something new, if there's a treat involved. |
| I don't know if your interested in going the drug route, but my older dog Tonka is on Tramadol and Meloxicam for his arthritis and a blown out back knee... He has absolutly no muscle tone left at all. It makes a HUGE difference; if we miss even a dose of the Meloxicam, I can see a painful difference in him... With it, he even will run a little and play with Hank. Meloxicam is the only drug that has really helped with Tonka’s arthritis... (He’s tried rymadil and all those others with no success...) Both of these are on the generic programs at Fred Meyer, Walgreens and such, so if they have to go on them long term, it really can save some $$$.. Both are only $4 per refill here in Oregon. |
Quote: This a.m. I put him on the bed, big lift, and his hips just ground, yuck. I guess I could have him xrayed but why......I can't afford to given him a new rear. Just the the words make me groan. And I understand completely... there's no sense in spending the money on x-rays. We both know that this condition progresses and it's all about how the dog is handling his/her individual problem, not how bad the x-rays look. I do it because as some point Panda may have the FHO done and she had to be sedated so I wanted to see if there was a lot of change... I thought she was doing pretty good until I saw her spine. And you know? I looked at her 2006 x-rays and there wasn't that much cup to the joint back then. http://oesusa.com/PandaXray2.jpg Nothing really I can do but try to make sure she doesn't fall. My fear is that at some point she'll dislocate a hip... is that possible if there's hardly any cup to the joint? I don't know how that femur head is kept near where it should be except with surrounding muscles. Probably like an FHO. Meesha has been on Denosyl for over a year now for her liver (small size liver)... it's SAMe in a more expensive form but I'm afraid to switch to a less expensive brand because her liver enzymes have been stable. One interesting thing we noted with that supplement is that she isn't as bitchy... I mean crabby. Her temperament seems to have evened out. She's by no means perfect but it's been a nice improvement. I've been meaning to ask the vet about SAMe but keep forgetting. I need to write it down.I had never heard about the avocado/soybean ASUs thing. It's not in the Drs. Foster & Smith article that the OESCA Health site shares so I think it's a new addition to their list- http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 84&aid=444 A couple of weeks ago, Panda started doing something odd... I've only been able to observe it well once. At times, I'd hear her suddenly scramble on the tile floor in the kitchen and wasn't sure what was happening. Her body drops a bit along with the digging in her nails... like she was afraid she was going to fall. I picked up some lightweight baby socks with the non-slip, kind of tacky bottoms and put them on her hind feet today. I think it will help to solve that problem. The stickiest ones I could find were by Carter and say of all things, "I Love Mommy" but they'll do for now! http://oesusa.com/NoSlipSocks.jpgQuote: It doesn't help he rolls of the couch from time to time, right onto his back. So I've taken the cushions off, thus lowering the fall....his legs are too long, when he stretches he pushes himself off the couch. Also easier for him to get onto the couch. I can see it now... stretching out the legs and off the couch he goes! Ouch... good idea to take the cushions off. We keep Tramadol on hand too and have used it twice when brief episodes of lameness appeared. It works well. I'll have to look into the other one you've mentioned. Panda's sensitive stomach makes meds a problem. We have the $4 and $10 prescriptions here too which makes some prescriptions much more affordable! |
| Now that all four are on Rimadyl you bet I'll be looking for less expensive options! Still haven't gotten Jack clipped evenly and with a new storm moving in Tuesday my options are getting shorter. Great idea  about the tacky baby socks!! Yes, he has quite a time with tile, front end when he sits....the legs slip forward and back legs when he tried to get up. I have MO boots, but they don't fit Jack............hmm, I'm thinking I still have DH's tacky socks from his last trip to the hospital. Those and some vet tape..........  SAMe reduces bitchiness?? MO!!! I've been blaming her arthritic paw but I noticed when Harry tries to get Glacier to play, MO runs up and grabs Harry, "Stop that!" MO just grumbles a lot, old bitch, but maybe there's some hope.......but like your's.....she's also the tender tumm girl. Had wanted to stay away from vets, but an office visit might be in order. |
| Meesha was just one dog so don't rush out for Denosyl!! I've wondered though if others have seen similar results with long term use. I've never used these and don't know if they would work well or how well they stick or grip but I came across these things that can be ironed on the bottom of regular socks. Might be best to get socks with the grippers already attached. Grippies- http://www.grippiesonline.com/shop.html http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product ... ku=122347& |
| Maybe I could just stick them on this paws? Somewhere I thought I saw doggie tennis shoes complete with laces......or am I just dreaming this up. Unfortuntely with his love for sucking, licking and chewing, imagine the mess he'd make of the laces........eeeuuuoooowww PS I just found the dog tennis shoes, XS sizes only, not for Big Foot |
How about putting the cushions of the pillows at the foot of the couch so if he rolls off, it will cushion the fall  |
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