Gimpy pooch

[Trek420]

Last week on her walkies my mutt let out a yelp and immediately turned up lame on her right foot. After a complete visual check up she hopped slowly back home. No bee sting, glass, goat head thorns ... and for two days was completely off the rear foot. Gradually she's been using it more but still has trouble turning around on smooth flooring, she loses footing.

I'm afraid perhaps finally age (she's 12) and arthritis are catching up with her. Now she's on doggie ibuprofin, still enjoys her walks but right now we're taking them slower, shorter and easy.

[NbyNW]

Poor thing. I hope the foot gets better!

Gordy has occasionally sprained an ankle or shoulder or cut a pad, but I think it's because he's 3 and has lots of energy and runs around like he's possessed.

If he needs a little extra traction while waiting for an injured foot to heal, I put a baby sock (the kind with grippy things on the bottom) on the injured foot and secure it with fabric tape around the ankle. This usually comes off if it's raining, though, so still working on a solution for that problem!

If the injury is higher up on his leg, then booties work pretty well to give him extra traction.

[OakLeaf]

Poor puppy. :( Kind of sounds like the hip, that she can't stabilize on slippery surfaces. :(

Careful with the NSAIDS, they're really hard on dogs' stomachs, worse than they are for people.

[Trek420]

If the injury is higher up on his leg, then booties work pretty well to give him extra traction.

The booties probably keep him warm too which may be comforting on the injury?

Mae seems to like a hot towel on the leg.

[NbyNW]

He actually finds the booties very confusing!

First time I put them on him was because it was -30 degrees outside ... he started walking like John Cleese in the Ministry of Silly Walks! But he eventually figured out that walking outside was much more comfortable with them on.

[Trek420]

Awww, such a cute face. And those confused feet. :p

[badger]

my pup didn't really care for booties, either, he chewed them off.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/nvwolf/CIMG0200-1.jpg

p.s. when my dog was having a really hard time with his hips, I actually took him to my chiropractor and he did an adjustment. It really helped!

[Trek420]

Awwww. I wonder if my arm warmers will fit Miss Mae? :rolleyes:

But seriously anyone have experience with herbs for dogs? I know that some foods help me with my gimpy legs and joints and wonder if it could do the same for her?

[NbyNW]

I haven't, but are you familiar with The Whole Dog Journal (http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/)?

I typed in "nutrition and joint health" in their search engine and came up with a ton of hits.

[badger]

I had my dog on a variety of supplements, from glucosamine to Zeel, a homeopathic arthritis inflammation medication. What I heard about glucosamine is that it won't build any more cartilage, but supports what's left from deteriorating further. So, theoretically, you should have them start before they start showing symptoms.

Had I known what I know now, I would have tried him on other supplements like serrapeptase and hyaluronic acid.

Not much helped Chevy in the end, he was on Metacam for the last couple of years of his life, and while I don't know if it helped, I didn't stop it. It's so hard to see them get slower.

you might want to try iherb.com. if you type in "dogs", plenty of joint health supplements for dogs come up.

[Trek420]

What I heard about glucosamine is that it won't build any more cartilage, but supports what's left from deteriorating further. So, theoretically, you should have them start before they start showing symptoms.

She's taken doggie glucosamine tabs for a long time, but she's bored with them :rolleyes: :p :cool:

dog update: Mae still favors the leg but is using it a little more each day. Her energy is up, but I keep walks slow and shorter until and unless her gait gets normal. She's taking her doggie anti inflammatory meds, new tastier glucosamine treats :D, mixing her kibble with vegies, tossing that with a tiny bit of turmeric and ginger along with her salmon oil.

This combo may make the glucosamine work better. Turmeric & ginger work for me and I'm very arthritic from head to toe too.

[DebW]

Are you sure it's her foot and not her knee that's bothering her. Dogs can get ACL tears in the knee quite easily as they get older.

[Zen]

The dog booties do have a slight learning curve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbSEvD5gnqY)

[NbyNW]

The dog booties do have a slight learning curve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbSEvD5gnqY)

LOL! Gordy was a lot like that when we put the booties on him. Lifted his feet up really high and wasn't quite sure how to put them down!

[Zen]

Dogs have proprioception too, it seems.

[Trek420]

Are you sure it's her foot and not her knee that's bothering her. Dogs can get ACL tears in the knee quite easily as they get older.

Yes they can get torn ACL, osteoporosis .... don't we wish they could talk. Stay tuned as I talk with her vet.