Meandmy

Sorry to hear his tummy is upset. I would second the advice you received, and would add that nutritional yeast has been very helpful with my Shadow who has been off his eating lately. He's not on any medications, but his stomach seems to be a bit upset. I can usually get him to eat most of his meal if I sprinkle it liberally with the yeast. Of course, sometimes he just licks it off the kibble and waits for me to sprinkle on another layer but it seems to work very well. I got it from Whole Foods.

We got our Nutritional Yeast from Whole Foods and it made so much difference in Shadow's eating. Now, if he doesn't finish his meals (which is happening more often now) I liberally sprinkle his food with the yeast and he'll keep eating.

My heart is breaking for you. Thank you for working so hard to make her better, and letting her go when you knew you couldn't.

I wouldn't be afraid to try the muzzle if you need to. When Shadow had a tumor removed on his leg last year, we tried everything to keep him away from it, and finally resorted to a muzzle (I had never muzzled him either). It wasn't his favorite thing in the world, but he was more comfortable than the cone we tried for sure. We put a stool guard on it and some tape on the sides (he was *very* determined) and it finally got a chance to heal. I feel for you - these things are so frustrating! Shadow's incision was quite large, but after he wouldn't leave it alone for months, we finally resorted to an anti-anxiety med to get him to stop licking. That did the trick, thank goodness!

Congratulations! He doesn't know it yet, but he's about to land in the lap of luxury

My Shadow has been getting more and more uncomfortable of late. I took him in to the vet in May and we both feel he has arthritis (he also has mild LS, which I found out last week and will be working with the vet to treat as well). The vet put him on Dasuquin daily and Meloxicam as-needed. Well, he needs it more often than not. The vet is now suggesting laser treatment. 6 treatments (one every other day) then on an as-needed basis. The laser is fairly new for them but they have been getting great results. I've signed Shadow up and we start on Monday. We'll be concentrating on the lower back and hips. I should say that, on top of the medications, he gets regular chiropractice and acupuncture. Although it helps greatly, it doesn't help completely and the treatments aren't lasting as long lately. I'll talk to my acupuncture vet and wouldn't stop unless she feels they are unnecessary with the laser treatment. Has anyone else done laser treatments? Do you feel it helped? Thanks!

I'm so sad to see this post. Run free, handsome...

I don't know if they're the same thing, but that's what my Shadow had removed last year. Even though the pathology report showed not completely clean margins (it was up against his kneecap on one side) it's been a year and 4 months and no recurrence so far. So glad to hear the great report on Marx!

Ouch! Walking sure looked painful. I hope she has a full recovery!

Michelle, I want you to know how sorry I am that you had to say goodbye to Billy today. I remember meeting him soon after he came into your care - you were a blessing to him in so many ways! I know that you did everything you could and would continue to do anything if it would make him better. You are a wonderful greymom. I'll be thinking of you... Jenn

Michelle, I have been watching this thread intently, but haven't said much as I don't have anything medically useful to share. Right now, on top of everything that Billy needs, it really sounds like you need a hug! That's one thing I can help with Just know that I am thinking of you and your pups and I hope they come up with something soon to turn this thing around for your old man. Jenn

Oof! Poor you, and poor Billy! I hope that you are able to get a definitive diagnosis on Thursday. I'll be thinking of you.

I should have mentioned that Shadow does get acupuncture, and has for a couple of years for his hind end. I think he'd be in much worse shape than he is without it. I'll be talking to his acupuncturist (he has an appointment on Wednesday) to see if he needs something different with this now developing, but I think he's going to need to support of some pain medication, at least to have on hand. Thanks for your replies

So my Shadow is getting up in years (he recently turned 11). He's had back-end issues for a couple of years, but just weakness - no pain. Lately he's seemed...off. He's slower to get up and has a hard time getting comfortable. He's also been extra whiny. I've given him a thorough inspection from head to toe and there's nothing that seems painful. He's happy, eating well, loving his walkies, etc. He was whining a lot yesterday and wasn't sleeping like he usually does, so I finally gave him a buffered aspirin and he did much better for the next several hours. I don't have anything definitive to take to the vet except that I know Shadow and I know he's not feeling right. I just have a feeling that he's got a bit of arthritis going on. How does the vet test for that? And if he does have arthritis, what would you recommend he take for his pain? Many thanks

It sounds like Billy is on the mend. I'm glad for you both. I hope you and your pups have a restful weekend

Hi Michelle, I've got no advice, but I'm thinking about you and Billy. I really hope you get to the bottom of this soon!

Poor Billy, and poor you! I hope you find some answers.

I was not at all impressed with Hill's. If it's the one I tried a few years ago, they were huge chunks that crumbled and left such a mess! My pup didn't seem to benefit at all, either. If you are looking for a "dental" food, I did really well with Nutro dental. They were larger nuggets that were very crunchy. When Shadow was eating that we were able to go much longer between dentals. Unfortunately, Tori inhales everything rather than chewing, so after a couple scary episodes, we moved down to smaller kibble (and more dentals!).

Glad to hear that Buddy's appointment went well. As others have said, my acupuncture vet wanted 4-6 weekly visits initially, then we spread it out to every other week and now to once a month. It took a few visits to see improvement, but it's well worth it. Shadow just went for his monthly appointment last night and he definitely had an easier time going up and down the stairs after that.

I'm so, so sorry that you all have to go through this. Your family will be in my thoughts. Run free, sweetheart...

Welcome from MA! Your Barney reminds me of my Shadow. Love them black boys I grew up in CO and my parents still live in Parker. Love to hear from CO peeps - especially those with greys!

Carrie is one of my fave pups on GT, and I'm so sorry that she (and you!) is going through this. Healing thoughts coming your way...

Isn't wonderful how well they can do with acupuncture? I, also, have a nervous dog. So much so that he starts to shake as soon as we pull up to the regular vet's office. And once he's in there his nails clack on the floor from him trembling so much! But he's happy as can be to go to the acupuncture vet It costs us quite a bit, too ($54 per round) but it's worth every penny as it helps his hind end weakness and general stiffness so much. We started out at 1/week and are now at 1/month. I couldn't be happier.

Oh, how I miss squeezing Tori's blackheads! She had tons of them and I had so much fun I always used a warm washcloth first, then a quick swipe with alcohol afterwards and she never minded. Such a feeling of accomplishment to get rid of so many