Elsie- To Walk Or Not?

[RobinM]

Elsie is 11.5. Her activity level puts the pack to shame, SHE is the one racing around the bedroom, the yard, playing with toys tush in the air. throwing toys around and chasing them. She is the one who tells us when to jump and how high.

 

Lately, I notice her navigating the stairs in the house (which are completely unavoidable) more seriously. ( we are putting the house on the market Jan. 1 and buying a ranch) She doesn't just go, she thinks about it first for longer and longer periods. Vet has always told me to walk the old girls, it's good exercise.

 

I have been home since Thursday and Elsie has "opted" out for walking. So, I let her stay home. The last few days becasue I was home everytime I went up and down the steps which was a lot, she was doing the steps too.

 

Today when let out in the morning, her back end went out when she pooped. She landed in it. I gave her a deramaxx, emailed my vet and now I am asking here. Should she be getting her walks or should she be resting?

[Guest KennelMom]

I'm not sure why you gave the deramaxx...is there something else or some other injury going on? Stairs can be tricky - they require coordination, balance and hind end strength all of which can decline with age. With older dogs, hesitation with stairs can also be a vision issue if the stairs aren't well lit. Arthritis, which can worsen in the cold/damp seasons, can also be a contributing factor to hesitating on stairs (I know when my knee is acting up I like to avoid them) and decreased enthusiasm for outside activities like walks....but it you can get them moving, it actually helps things rather than letting joints remain stiff.

 

It sounds like she's a pretty healthy and active 11 year old that's starting to show some minor age-related changes. I'd keep taking her for walks if she tolerates the activity well. I do a 'senior walk' where I just take the old farts or the hobblers/corn dogs. We don't go far or fast, but it's enough to get them out, moving the joints and seeing/smelling some new stuff which is good for the brain.

[GeorgeofNE]

George has LS, and the specialist I took him to told me that there are a couple of really important (non surgical) things I can do: 1) keep him slim--excess weight is horrible for any orthopedic issues, and 2) keep his muscles strong (better support for the bones if the muscles are strong).

 

She suggested several shorter walks versus one long walk.

 

No zoomies (yeah, right!), no jumping onto furniture or into the car, Deramaxx if needed, Tramadol if that's not enough.

 

Not sure what Elsie's issue is, but I'm passing along what George's doctor said.

[4My2Greys]

Robin if she has arthritis walking is encouraged for people who have it.

Could you block her access to the stairs during the day when your going up and down numerous times for short errands so she doesn't follow you. I know she wants to be with you, but it sounds like the stairs are the problem.

[RobinM]

Just got email from vet. Continue deramaxx (to reduce any inflammation), let her rest for a day or so, start the walks and acupunture if not better in a week or 3.

 

The stairs have always been more of a problem for her than anyone else, incuding Polli on 3 legs. Elsie just never felt really comfortable doing them. I don't know how long it will take to sell my house or buy another, but we are willing to do it for her. (not to mention our taxes are killing us)

 

I will take her out for a very short stroll in a little while. I will have my granddaughter here today so when I say stroll, I mean stroll.

[duncan41]

Anna is ten and a half and puts the younger ones to shame in the zoomie department and overall running full out like her tail is on fire. But, I have noticed that she has been getting up from a nap/sleep more slowly these days and it takes her a minute or so to "get going". In the back of my mind, I am preparing myself for the day that she hits the wall - just stops running with enthusiasm, or maybe not at all.

Maybe is you "rest" Elsie with leash walks only for a month or so (with treats if she's food motivated?), whatever is ailing her might calm down. That coupled with the move to a house without stairs just might be the ticket for her. If it's age related, she may just be self-regulating her activities to cope with her aches and pains. Supplementation might do her some good, too. As time goes on, I am becoming more and more of a fan of Springtime's Longevity. I am not and have never been a fan or believer in the exaggerated claims of supplements for humans or our pets, but I have done my own little "experimenting" with Longevity and have proven in my mind that it has made a difference. Nothing is going to stop the changes that we see in our pets, but I just want to make the decline as slow and gradual as I can.

[TheFullHouse]

Just to be on the safe side, check her vision. I mistook Emmy's problems with the stairs as being age when looking back, it was her vision. You can toss a cotton ball in front of her and see if she's tracking it well. If she doesn't seem to see it, I'd have her eyes checked.

[RobinM]

RE: VISION. yes, her vision is slightly compromised. Last check up in mid Oct. i had noticed her eyes are not as crystal clear as the younger ones. vet said it's very minor and that if i see any problems I could see her mis-step a curb or step at twilight. that was 2 months ago and although not a long time, we all know that in 8 weeks lots of things can head south.

 

RE: Supplements. Elsie has been getting pure glucosomine, CMO and MSM since I brought her home. I also figure things like that can't hurt!

 

Small update when she went out to pee. She hesitated doing so, but I waited until she did. When she did, she did not put any weight on her left hip/leg. She balanced herself on the right side 100% in a squat position. So whatever is going on, it's on the left side. Now, I am even more concerned about the weather with ice, etc. As I type this, Rich is securing indoor/outdoor carpeting on the ramp to give her a little more traction.

 

Elsie has the mind step of a puppy. Her body is starting to catch up with her. How I wish we were in a ranch. We looked today at 2 houses but it's not right for us. I offically listed my house. You have no idea of what a massive step that is for me.

Edited December 18, 2010 by RobinM

[robinw]

Just to be on the safe side, check her vision. I mistook Emmy's problems with the stairs as being age when looking back, it was her vision. You can toss a cotton ball in front of her and see if she's tracking it well. If she doesn't seem to see it, I'd have her eyes checked.

Same thing with Phoenix. I thought he was having trouble walking up the stairs, but it turns out he's losing his vision instead.

 

Why not let her rest up for a day or two, then see how she's doing?

 

 

[3greys2cats]

You are a good greyhound mommy, puting your house on the market it is a huge step(IMO), as a Realtor in NH/MA, I know it can take time to attract the right buyer, but it will happen . My Sara who is 9.5 now has had problems navigating stairs and there are lots of them here, Colonial on a hill and stairs to get in from garage too. She overcame a year(2007-2008 on chemo meds, prednisone and pheanbarb from GME and I had to carry her up and down deck stairs, hard on me! I have carpeted stairs inside and treads on all stairs going out and coming in. She stands @ the top and cries sometimes until I coax her and she hates the ones that lead from deck to back fenced yard, they are open back. I bought a Chrysler Town and Country van because she could not get up into the Highlander and I still lift her back end into the van. I agree w/the thinking that it is wise to continue walking, keeping muscle tone is very important, the glucosamine helps joints, you are doing the right things! I also walk in the woods and on grass instead of pavement, it's easier on old bones. to Elsie, it is tough havin a young mind but older body!

[seeh2o]

When Sheila was having problems with the arthritis in her back my vet put her on Dasuquin, it is made by the same manufacturer as Cosequin, but is less expensive. It did make a difference for her in her mobility and ease of walking, getting up and down.

 

Hugs for your sweet girlie.

[Guest EmbersDad]

ooh, i hope it isnt nothing more than the cold and a wee bit af arthritis. feel better miss elsie.

[MaryJane]

Have an x-ray done.

 

My Jake was almost 12 and he started having symptoms like what you describe. He hesitated going up and down the stairs and didn't seem to have the "oomph" on our 1.5 mile walks.

[brandimom]

I would say if she wants to go for a walk take her for a walk. Brandi also falls in her poop and pee as she does not have the strength to pull herself up but she wants to go for a walk. Just shorten the walk. My holistic vet who does monthly chiro/acup on Brandi has encouraged me to walk Brandi as she needs to keep moving.

[Guest IrskasMom]

Is there an Update on sweet Elsie ??? Is she doing better Robin ???

[RobinM]

We rested her on Saturday. NO stairs. At 11pm Rich carried her up to the bedroom where we would normally be hanging and said, "I can't do this every night.". Elsie is a very solid 70 pounds. The 2 of us carried Polli up and down for 5 months after her amp but that 15 pound difference is HUGE. We rested her yesterday but we had a houseful of people so she was up and down a lot.. (up and down off the beds. Then someone accidently left the gate off the steps and she ran up, So, yesteday she went up the steps 2x. Big difference from the 40 times she usually does. (a litlle exaggerated!)

 

Today, she will wind up doing them a total of 4 times.

 

She went for acupunture this afternoon and our next appointment is next Monday. We are also starting her on Chinese herbs. I've got to do all I can so hopefully, it will all help her.

 

But, yes, with resting her, she does seem a little better.

 

Thank you so much for asking about Elsie Lou.

[robinw]

I'm so glad that Elsie is doing better .

[Guest Stripeyfan]

Just seeing this, I hope Elsie continues to improve.