Keeping strength and muscle tone in the golden years for our dogs: - Page 1

Any one have any suggestions??  Thank you in advance,  Nan

Swimming is not an option for my bitch.

Physical therapy. When our GSD was diagnosed with DM I was given a number of PT exercises to do with her daily. The vet told me that these exercises were good for any large dog to maintain strength, coordination and muscle mass. I tried to find a link that had photos or videos, but I wasn't successful. Here is a link that at least explains some of the exercises. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_physical_therapy  I will continue to look for some visuals. I hope this helps a little.

Yep, PT is great, and I do some massage on her but strengthing is really what she needs.  After all she is 94.5 years old and those people also need PT so I will proceed ahead.

Thank you for this info I will try them all except the hydrotherapy;  she HATES, HATES, water.  Hubs pushed her in the pool (by accident) when she was 4 months old, she was behind him on the pool side and he stepped back and in she went and she has NEVER forgotten it.  Now almost 14 she still hates water, boy they don't forget do they.

By the way, how is your girl doing with DM?  Believe me I have been thru it also and it is not at all any fun.  And worrisome for the animal also, and talking about taking away their dignity.  LIke no other disease.  Just devastating. 

I will say a little prayer for her in hopes for her comfort.  Thx again  Nan

Here's another link with some photos, but still looking for something better. http://home.roadrunner.com/~exercisesfordm/

Thank you that is a wonderful site.  Lots of good  tools to use.  Thx again,  Nan

Wow, 14 years is really up there for a GSD and it sounds like she is doing well! Shelby hates water too, so swimming was never a option. It's not worth putting her under that kind of the stress. For strengthening, teach your girl to back up (do this 5 or 6 times- about 4-5 ft.), go from a sit to stand (about 10 times) and have her put her front paws up on an ottoman or sofa while keeping the back legs on the ground- up for two minutes and down (do this about 6 times).  Also, get behind her and hold one back leg up for 60seconds and then switch. Do this about 6 times, each leg.  I am just giving you a rough idea and you know your dog better than anyone, so what I suggested may be too much or too easy. With all of these exercise you can slowly increase the number of times and the duration. Make it positive with lots of praise and/or treats. Taking her up and down hills and walking through tall grass is really good for her too.

Thank you for asking about Shelby and for your prayer for her. Yes, only until you go through this can you understand how horrible it it. I'm so sorry you had to lose a dog to DM.  Shelby is declining inspite of all the things I have tried. According to my vet she is doing better than most, but still she is losing her mobility and it's heartbreaking to watch. She is at the point where she sort of walks and drags herself. She still seems to enjoy life and I do everything possible to keep her stimulated mentally and physically. She loves her PT because it's almost like a training session with lots of food rewards and praise. She loves her massages and is quite spoiled. When I think I'm finished massaging her, she lets me know by pawing my arm repeatedly! I let her get away with it and I continue to massage her :).  We take her for rides in our golf cart around the neighborhood and she enjoys that. She loves food, so she's getting lots of treats- all natural stuff like dehydrated sweet potatoes. I try not to think about the decision that will need to be made in the future, but it looms over like a dark cloud. I want to do the right thing at the right time. Shelby's vet said she would help me know when it becomes time to let Shelby got to the Bridge. She said every dog is different. She's a rehab vet, so unfortunately for her she sees a lot of DM. She is the one overseeing the clinical trial for the ALS drug Shelby is on.  She said that she hates this disease like no other...

Good luck with the PT. I just couldn't find any website or link that provided a good program with good pictures. Take care and keep up the good work with your girl!

Both my seniors get hydrotherapy weekly, one does not care for water but his is only done to shoulder depth and he does not mind that. I also walk them in sandy beach. Mine still chase ball and are not too far along so I just make sure they are warmed up and sound before they run as injuries are harder to heal at later years. They get massaged and checked every other day for any stiffness and or sores. I use liniment washdowns if they have done more than usual to keep them limbered and feeling good. They get a diet tailored to their needs and supplements.

GSDNewbie:  what kind of diet and what supplements if you don't mind me asking?  I am also looking for that info, and to no avail.  If something works for one I realize it does not necessarily work for another, BUT, sometimes all things are good.  The information is invaluable for the health and well being of our senior dogs.  Thank you in advance for sharing,  Nan

Starchar:  I am so sorry your girl is loosing ground;  god damn it;  something has to give here.  You are soooooo lucky to have a rehab vet for her well-being;  that is invaluable also.  I tell you I hate this disease with a passion.

Just for your peace of mind these dogs are so in tune to their people;  Shelby will also tell you when the time comes;  I know it is like a black cloud lurking overhead, but just enjoy her as you do every moment you have and if she is starting to drag her body, well you probably know my thoughts already.  That cannot be too comfortable for her.  Again I will say a prayer for her comfort.   Thanks for sharing your knowledge, it is priceless and invaluable to the dog comminity in itself along with your continued experiences and information on DM>  Again, thank you.  Nan

My male gets a little bit of meat and a lower protein kibble diet than the female. He chubbs up in weight easily and I have to keep his amount low and exercise up to keep him fit and trim so he only gets 2 and half cups of kibble a day and maintains 85 pounds easily which suits his heavy bone structure. My female maintains 50 pounds because of her poor structure I keep her lighter for her build, is on 1 and half cup day blue buffalo grain free and some raw beef no chicken as she had a life of major allergy issues, cottage cheese, and oil. It just works for her. I believe every dog handles food differently and no one food is the best for all dogs.... so whatever works for your dog. My small dog <Boston terrier> who is 6 but was a rescue from a Pennsylvania puppy mill so has issues as well eats same diet as female only his serving size plus same supplements. My senior male does not get oil or cottage cheese to his food because it upsets his tummy unlike my other three. I have not had him his whole life and maybe  his digestive is just not used to getting those things... who knows. Supplements include Joint strong, Young at Heart, and Hylauronic Acid. I also make sure the nails are kept trimmed length as longer nails puts undue pressure on paws and legs more than people realize at that age. Regular tooth and gum inspections as well. My never bred female is almost 8 and you would think she was 13 so I do put her in senior care category.... she has has a life long fight with allergies and other health problems, yet she still smiles and tries her hardest to still feel she does her part in the home. My older male is just turned ten and on average spends most of his time acting like a 6 year old. I expect tp have my senior male for a while more, but fear the loss of my female will come at a much younger age. She does not move as well and gets sore from her conformation issues such as flat feet in front combined with low wither. One of her hips is stiff and slows her so that between the front and rear issues she crabs when out fetching with the others, but she does not let it slow or stop her.... I have seen her throw herself and fall down the hill faster than she can run it on purpose to get to the ball first almost in a tackle motion to beat the others including my 2 year old. She refuses to give up or let them outdo her.  She has always had the biggest heart and determination to keep doing what she was meant to do.  I think the biggest thing that keeps them young is the rule in our home: No matter what age, Every gsd needs to feel needed and that they are working some sort of task or role. Every gsd in our home is given something to do each day and praised. It does not have to be huge if they are not feeling well and can be something simple. It gives them that gleam in their eye, bounce in their step, and boosts their dignity and pride making them happy. A depressed gsd is one that will give up, a gsd not working or feeling useless will be a depressed gsd. I know while my leg was screwed up for the years it was, I felt useless and allowed it to affect me as I am an active person. It affected my health and drug me down a dark place. I obviously will never be like I was before hand, but again I feel like I am living and being mobile helps with everything else that was being affected just because I am happier now. When human or dog just settles for a spot in the sun with no mental or physical stimulation at all, they give up. If the health is failing you can also work their mind. I started a game with my pup when he was first learning to be my service dog and he got bored somewhere. I take something small and basically play the ball in the three cups with him. I switch the item back and forth where he cant see inside my hands hold them fisted before him aand ask which hand the item is in. In no time he learned what I wanted and tells me. It kept his mind active and distracted him from fidgeting until he was older and had better control of it. I use things like this with the older dogs just to keep them thinking and busy and it works on days they may be stiff or sore.