Sundrop Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Our girl just turned 13 a few weeks back and though she is in great shape overall, she has been showing some signs of hind end weakness (tripping over her back feet, her hind legs flailing out when she "runs", some hesitating on the stairs, etc.). Nothing too bad, but definitely showing some weakness. We had her checked at the vet about a month ago and she isn't showing signs of pain. Vet said her joints/muscles/legs "felt" good and she had all her bloodwork, etc. done. All is good. Our vet said she was in "excellent" shape - especially for a 13 year-old dog. So, my question is -- what else can we do for her? She still gets 2 daily walks, though we don't go near as far as we once did because she tires quickly - and we let her set the pace. She still (even though we discourage it greatly) likes to hop around when she gets excited and she hasn't cried/winced in pain at all. She gets glucosamine/chondroitin supplements and fish oil supplements. Any suggestions on how we can help her? Supplements? Food? Exercise? Therapy? Stretching? Is there anything I can do for her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) When Alan's hind legs were weak, I took him for acupuncture. It did help him. I'm sure a lot of others here will chime in. Good luck. Edited November 13, 2009 by ss556 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MZH Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 If she has LS (lumbar stenosis) she might be helped with a depro medrol shot. It sounds like she's doing great for a 13 year old even with the way she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Which chondroitin is she on? Joint Health & Fresh Factors are the best! Springtime If you have quite a bit to use up, get MSM at the health food store (I buy Whole Foods brand when I need some). Supplements, chiropractic and/or acupuncture will help. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I swear by acupuncture and chiro for Brandi and her weak hind legs. She has gotten this treatment every 4-6 weeks since 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) I 2nd Burpdog on the Fresh Factors. They have been a miracle tab for me. Quality and thus results are the best. And all dogs I have ever given them to LOVE them. Edited November 13, 2009 by racindog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scouts_mom Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 (edited) My 14 yr old princess, Tia, is having the same problem with her hind legs. My vet has her on glucosamine, fish oil, Chinese herbs, prednisone, tramadol and we are starting another painkiller, gabapentin, this weekend as she has trouble sleeping thru the night. But I think the best thing I do for her is take her for acupuncture treatments. The woman who does it is a certified Vet who has also studied acupuncture, and Chinese medicine. She is working closely with my regular vet to be sure that Tia has a good quality of life in her old age. This month we are going for weekly treatments ($80 a visit) and then I think we will do it only every few weeks for as long as Tia is with me. I am really seeing a difference. Edited November 14, 2009 by Scouts_mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundrop Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 Thanks, everyone! I'm going to buy the Joint Health & Fresh Factors right now - she's been on Cosequin DS (chewable tablets) 3x per day, but I'm happy to switch if you all have had success with the Springtime product. Also, my vet does do acupuncture - I'll call them next week to see if we can start her on it. I'm just trying to help her in any way possible and hopefully prevent this getting any worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 If she has LS (lumbar stenosis) she might be helped with a depro medrol shot. It works great for some dogs, not as well on others. It was a godsend for Rex. The test to determine if it is LS is very simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cris_M Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Beginning with a caveat -- I have never dealt with this. I was at a day long seminar yesterday that Dr. Cuoto gave. He said that hind end weakness in greys is often caused by a thrombosis (formation of blood clot inside the blood vessel). The treatment is 1/4 to 1/2 of a baby aspirin every day. The aspirin eats away at the clot until near normal function of the blood vessel is restored. Since the aspirin has no bad side effects (at this dosage level I would presume), he felt that there was no reason not to try this regimen. If it works, great. If it doesn't, you haven't lost anything. Might be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ArtoftheGryhnd Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Acti-flex 4000 Extended Kelly's life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Beginning with a caveat -- I have never dealt with this. I was at a day long seminar yesterday that Dr. Cuoto gave. He said that hind end weakness in greys is often caused by a thrombosis (formation of blood clot inside the blood vessel). The treatment is 1/4 to 1/2 of a baby aspirin every day. The aspirin eats away at the clot until near normal function of the blood vessel is restored. Since the aspirin has no bad side effects (at this dosage level I would presume), he felt that there was no reason not to try this regimen. If it works, great. If it doesn't, you haven't lost anything. Might be worth a try. I was there too! Wasn't it great?! I was intrigued by his info on the blood clots...we're going to be trying aspirin on our senior Bucky who's had some rear-end lameness that hasn't responded to anything we've tried. RE joint supplements - There isn't a single best supplement...different dogs will do better/worse on different supplements so sometimes it's just a matter of trying out several until you find one that works. We've had the most success with the liquid Healthy Joints K-9 from Thomas Vet Supply. I don't know if the liquid formulation gives it better absorbtion that pill or powder supplements we've tried in the past. However, if the dog has something else going on (ie, Lumbosacral stenosis), the best supplement in the world really wont' make that much of a difference. I've never tried chiro or acupuncture on our dogs, but lots of folks have had good results with that, so it may be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Which chondroitin is she on? Joint Health & Fresh Factors are the best! Springtime If you have quite a bit to use up, get MSM at the health food store (I buy Whole Foods brand when I need some). Supplements, chiropractic and/or acupuncture will help. Took your recommendation yesterday and ordered Fresh Factors. They are having free shippping until 12/16 and I also got 2 or 1. So thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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