Refusing To Jump In Car

[Guest Vanessa]

This is my first post, so bear with me. My sweet boy, Tyler will be 11 next week. We've had him for almost 6 yrs. He came to us with a metal plate in his back right leg due to a fall in his last race. He has always limped, but this winter I've noticed he seems to be in more pain. His routine for the last 6 years is to come with me to my office daily, but 3 months ago he refused to jump into my car. He has only left the house twice this winter, and my husband had to lift him both times.

 

He is also hesitating going up the stairs in the house. Other than that, he is very happy, and still runs around, plays with his stuffed animals, and jumps up to play with them. Anyhow, I took him to the vet and she suggested starting off with aspirin twice daily and perhaps once the weather warms up he will take the plunge into the car. She also mentioned a possible arthritis medication if we want something stronger, but this may not help if it is more of a degenerative condition.

So, I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? Any feedback on arthritis medications as well.

Any feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks, I'd love to get my boy back in the office - Vanessa

[grey14me]

does he get any kind of supplements? glucosamine, msm...something like that may help. also, are you positive it's his leg that's bothering him? maybe he hurt his neck or back and that is why he is not wanting to jump or do stairs?

[Guest Vanessa]

I tried glucosamine, but he kept throwing up from it, so I stopped using it. He really never seemed to be in pain before. The vet examined him and said all else appeared to be well. He is eating, etc, and does not appear to have any other issues.

He is happy in the house, jsut going out to the bathroom is an effort for him too!

[silverfish]

First of all, I wouldn't ever force a reluctant dog to jump. They have to be in quite severe pain to let it show that much and you need to find another solution. I know you didn't mean that you were doing that, I just wanted to make it clear.

 

If you don't want to lift him, which is understandable, I suggest you try to find a ramp and teach him to use it. You'll probably find that he won't use it without some training, although some do. Some need a bit of carpet tacked or glued onto it to give them a bit more security, some need a longer ramp than you might think, in order to feel secure. Make sure you get one that doesn't move too much, or bend, when he steps up on it, too, because that can put them off.

 

When my first dog developed seriously bad arthritis, I actually chose my car on the basis of what would make life easier for him (I know not everyone can do that, I'm lucky) and now have a Toyota Yaris with a back sill about fifteen inches from the ground. Even so, Jack, my current senior, finds it hard at times to get up into it, he has to have plenty of time and space and I have to move the dog beds over for him. Even Renie, when her neck is bad, will hesitate. Neck and spine problems cause the most problems I think.

 

Arthritis meds .. you have to talk to your vet. Mine is on Metacam right now, but we're considering a change because it gives him an acid stomach and the acid reducers no longer work so well. It's been great for his arthritis though. Acupuncture can help too. Supplements - you need a high quality one containing both glucosamine and chondroitin, preferably with other stuff mixed in like Vit C and manganese for example. I think they do help.

[grey14me]

sometimes human glucosamine can be hard on a greyhound's stomache...you might want to try one specifically for dogs

[CaliforniaGreys]

I would pick up a telescoping ramp for the car and ask your vet about maybe using Tramadol for pain.

[Guest Vanessa]

Thanks everybody. Yes, I will research the ramps, and contact the vet about trying medication.

 

[CaliforniaGreys]

Please let us know how you make out and I hope Tyler feels better.

[Guest sheila]

I have a friend who swears by this product http://www.doggonepain.com/

I have seen the difference it made in her senior hound. Her dog went from walking sedately at her side at the dog park to running laps like a dog half her age. I think you can get a free sample of the product to see if your dog can tolerate it.

[Guest GreytMuse]

I have a friend who swears by this product http://www.doggonepain.com/

 

I've been using Doggonepain pills for my old Golden for about 8 weeks now, and I can tell that her "bad" days are fewer than before. She is still stiff in the mornings, but moves much better by mid-day. I am also looking into both acupuncture and chiropractic care for her. Have you considered non-traditional therapies? We also bought her a ramp last week, and she's slowly getting used to that. As an aside, both of the grey boys took right to the ramp!

 

Good luck and keep us updated!

[Guest Vanessa]

I have a friend who swears by this product http://www.doggonepain.com/

I have seen the difference it made in her senior hound. Her dog went from walking sedately at her side at the dog park to running laps like a dog half her age. I think you can get a free sample of the product to see if your dog can tolerate it.

 

I have just ordered a free sample. thanks again, I feel more confident in my options.

Edited March 27, 2008 by Vanessa

[Batmom]

No matter what else you do, I'd get a ramp or a step. If you drive a sedan, might be able to get by with a single step -- couple pieces of 2" thick foam insulation board glued together, piece of carpet glued on top, away you go.

[Guest Snazzy_Chloe]

Claudia with greyhound gang sells a plethora of products that you may try - she also has info on each-- I used several of her products for several years and it gave the dog a lot of relief from a former broken wrist. These are not for humans - I am sure she can help and does this with a small margin of profit that goes for her greyhound group. This is mainly for arithitus, which I would make sure that other physical ailments are ruled out first by the vet.

'

http://www.greyhoundgang.org/shop.php

[GeorgeofNE]

I would highly recommend Ascriptin which is asprin with Maalox in it to protect the stomach.

 

My dog had a serious leg operation--and we started on that, and progressed to Rimadyl then Tramadol.

 

I got him a ramp as I have a small SUV--in fact I got it when he has his surgery (a TPLO, which involves cutting the tibial and putting it back together at a different angle with plates). I picked him up from Angell Memorial, was holding his leash and setting up the ramp, and when I stood up, he was already in the car! That bouncy boy of mine hopped in with three legs!

 

Sorry, wandering down memory lane there!

 

Glucosamine didn't do anything for him--his condition was well past the stage where that can help.

[Guest myjazzy]

I got one of my greys with a plate, pin and several screws because she had broken her right hock. A few years down the line, she started limping on that leg. When we did an x-ray, the plate had broken and the pin had slipped out of place, so they were causing her pain, so she had an operation to remove the hardware.

 

I realize you boy is 11 years old and you are probably hesitant to do surgery on him, but I would at least have an x-ray done to see what's going on with the leg, whether the hardware has somehow gotten lose or he just has bad arthritis there.

[Guest Vanessa]

I got one of my greys with a plate, pin and several screws because she had broken her right hock. A few years down the line, she started limping on that leg. When we did an x-ray, the plate had broken and the pin had slipped out of place, so they were causing her pain, so she had an operation to remove the hardware.

 

I realize you boy is 11 years old and you are probably hesitant to do surgery on him, but I would at least have an x-ray done to see what's going on with the leg, whether the hardware has somehow gotten lose or he just has bad arthritis there.

 

[CaliforniaGreys]

I would highly recommend Ascriptin which is asprin with Maalox in it to protect the stomach.

 

My dog had a serious leg operation--and we started on that, and progressed to Rimadyl then Tramadol.

 

I got him a ramp as I have a small SUV--in fact I got it when he has his surgery (a TPLO, which involves cutting the tibial and putting it back together at a different angle with plates). I picked him up from Angell Memorial, was holding his leash and setting up the ramp, and when I stood up, he was already in the car! That bouncy boy of mine hopped in with three legs!

 

Sorry, wandering down memory lane there!

 

Glucosamine didn't do anything for him--his condition was well past the stage where that can help.

Ditto on everthing said here...except of course going down memory lane

[Guest Vanessa]

I got one of my greys with a plate, pin and several screws because she had broken her right hock. A few years down the line, she started limping on that leg. When we did an x-ray, the plate had broken and the pin had slipped out of place, so they were causing her pain, so she had an operation to remove the hardware.

 

I realize you boy is 11 years old and you are probably hesitant to do surgery on him, but I would at least have an x-ray done to see what's going on with the leg, whether the hardware has somehow gotten lose or he just has bad arthritis there.

 

 

Great information - thanks. I hope to get Tyler back in the office. All our visitors ask for him, and the UPS, Mailman and Fedex guys still bring him treats daily hoping for his quick return. Again, thanks to all.

[Guest Vanessa]

Well - here is the latest upate on my boy Tyler. Started him on Novox per the vets suggestion. She noted we should see an improvement in him after 1 week. One week will be this Saturday - and I have not noticed any changes.

Also, just tried the telescoping ramp this morning - for the first time. I didn't expect much - He looked at me like I was crazy as I walked up and down it trying to lead the way.

Anyhow, I will keep working at it with him. And, will talk to the vet for another suggestion on meds.

[Burpdog]

First, I'd have the leg xrayed to make sure the plate is still where it should be. Xrays can be read by a specialist. Sometimes a specialist is more to go to for the xrays, but many times not.

 

Second, try a chondroitin source like Fresh Factors from Springtime Inc. Right now they have a buy 2 get 1 free plus 20% off (till May 31).

 

There are other options but make sure the chondroitin is from bovine and not shark.

 

IMO it is much better to go with supplements before trying aspirin and other NSAIDs.

 

 

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Just a thought, is he very food-motivated? Maybe you could use treats to "lure" him gradually up the ramp. Wanted to wish you good luck with him and I hope he gets back to your office soon!