Old Age Or Something Else?

[rascalsmom]

Buddy was 11 in January. He's been steadily slowing down over the past six months to a year. I expect that. However, he recently seems very reluctant to do stairs. Not a real big issue in our house, since it's mainly one floor. We do go to the family room in the basement each evening, though, and this is how I know of his reluctance.

 

Even a few weeks ago, he'd come downstairs readily. Going up was a different matter...he would make a few "runs" at it (although he wasn't really running) before he actually got going.

 

Now, he won't even come down. He stands at the top of the steps and cries. Last night I tried putting his harness on and helping him but he wanted no part of that. So we gave up and came upstairs to be with him. A few nights ago he DID come down and thank God DH was standing at the bottom of the stairs because Buddy did start to tumble. Since then Buddy won't even attempt it.

 

I ordered, and have been giving him, some of that "Dog Gone Pain" stuff, it was recommended to me. He's been taking it for 2 1/2 weeks and it doesn't seem to be making any difference.

 

Even the two steps from our kitchen into the upstairs family room seem to give him a bit of trouble....

 

I might also mention that last week one day he was waiting to go outside; I went up behind him and sort of patted his back end/hip area (not at all roughly, and nothing I haven't done a thousand times before) and he cried out.

 

So my question is, is this simply old age, arthritis or whatever, and to be expected? Should I give him maybe a buffered aspirin or something?

[Guest MAXNAV]

Vet visit needed????

[Guest Winterwish]

It could be arthritis,or maybe he hurt himself when you weren't home. A vet would have the ability to feel for certain areas of tenderness and thru' palpation alone,may be able to pinpoint the source of Buddy's discomfort.

 

 

 

Sending good thoughts out for Buddy!

Edited August 18, 2008 by Winterwish

[Guest ss556]

Sorry to hear about Buddy. Alan just turned 11 also and he has slowed down the past 6 mos. or so. He's slipped many times and has become very leary with floors. He never did stairs except for the front stoop or back of 3 steps. He too has pain in the rear and weakness as well. We had xrays, blood work done. He is a kidney disease dog so he is limited to pain meds so I use Zeel, a homeopathic pill, for arthritis and it seems to have helped him a bit. He does get one baby aspirin daily as well. See what you vet thinks and good luck with Buddy.

[Batmom]

Vet visit. Take a printout of this along with you: http://greythealth.com/lumbosacral.htm

 

Hugs to your Buddy.

[Guest guinness_the_greyt]

Could be that he slipped and is now reluctant to hurt himself...

 

Are you giving him Fresh Factor? Diane turned me on to that and now I have all my guys on it. Good stuff!

 

I'd take him for a vet visit to be on the safe side... may have tweeked something.

 

Sending prayers its nothing serious for Buddy!

[rascalsmom]

Thanks for the link, Batmom. I was thinking about LS, actually. I knew there was something they get involving hind-end weakness, but couldn't remember what it was called.

 

Wouldn't you know, I just had Buddy at the vet a few weeks ago for his annual checkup. Other than the gradual slowing down, and reluctance to come UP steps, he was OK at that point. Naturally. I am pretty sure his semi-tumble down the stairs is what's really spooked him about coming down them now. Thank heavens the steps are carpeted, at least he didn't get hurt.

 

He seems just fine when you get the leash out. Of course. But by about halfway through the walk he really slows down, and the walks have become much shorter in the past six months or so. I do notice a little toenail scraping, maybe a bit more than usual. He doesn't seem to have a limp or anything. He did cry when he got up off the floor to go to bed last night, too.

 

 

[packmom]

Could be a spinal injury, also. A disc or something. An x-ray wouldn't hurt.

[Guest longdogs]

It is most likely some sort of physical pain. It could be arthritis or something else entirely. Get him checked to identify the problem.

[patricia]

Sending my prayers.

[Tallgreydogmom]

Sending Prayers and White Light.

 

I would do a vet visit. My seniors have been know to have supplements, acupuncture, whirlpool therapy and pain meds. I wish I was near a doggie chiropractor. I have had many reach 14, 15 and 16 years of age. I'd like to think I am doing something right.

[queenwinniesmom]

Melissa, I'm hoping your sweet guy is okay. We'll be thinking lots of good thoughts for him. Please let us know how he's doing.

[greyhoundgang]

This is va ery typical health issue for greyhounds as they age.

I'll be giving a talk When I Am Older at Dewey. Just gave it at Greyhounds of the Bluegrass last week.

You can order the booklet for only $2 at Greyhound Gang. .

Tons of good info to help greyhounds age as well as they can.

 

Some advice:

1. Joint supplements - 1500 mg a day of each of them - glucosamine hcl, MSM, chondroitin, vitamin C. You can learn about these at Greyhound Gang - Get Up & Go. . You must purchase high quality, and give the correct dose DAILY.

 

2. Acupuncture - it truly helps

Holistic Vet List by state here.

 

3. Rugs everywhere.

 

4. Moderate exercise to keep muscles strong.

 

5. Keep your greyhound at a good weight - three ribs and hip bones showing.

 

6. Adequan shots - basically intensive joint supplement action

 

There's a lot more information on my site and in the booklet. You can do something to help. Eleven is not old.

 

[Greytlady94]

Definitely would get him to the vet again. There are too many possibilities to make a guess at.

[Guest IrskasMom]

 

 

Not to get off the Subject but what is Fresh Factor ????

[Greytlady94]

Not to get off the Subject but what is Fresh Factor ????

 

Fresh Factors link

 

My three, and quite a lot of other houndies, are on Fresh Factors and Joint Health.

I have used these supplements for many years. They have kept my puppers from getting achy and creaky as they get older.