Any ideas to help my badly dysplastic dog? - Page 1

Hi, I hardly post these days.

This is the 1st place on the 'net I think of to ask this kind of question.

My dog Tara has been dysplastic for years (no, we never got it confirmed, but it seems to all of us clear she is).  In the last several days, at 10 years old, she's taken a dramatic turn for the worse.

I'm assuming Tara has not had any aggravating injury and that it's permanent (she does have to go in a car and up ramps a bit every week for her allergy baths, and despite impairment LOVES to jump and play outside and did an excellent job of it).

So, if it's 100% dysplasia, is there anything we can do to help her get around?  The last 2 days she gave up going upstairs with us for bed - last night even stayed in the sunken family room where she's "trapped" by 2 steps.

I'm looking for ideas to help her.  She never complains, just can't move/stand well.  Lying down she looks as happy and healthy as can be.  I know there are more "carts" for dogs lately, although I admit we are now strapped for cash.

I will call the vet to try and get an opinion on if this really is just the HD, or maybe something else that will "go away" with care.

Is she on any pain meds?? That can make a huge difference.  There are a variety out on the market including natural ones so talk to your vet and see what works for you/her.  Most likely they will want to do bloodwork first to make sure her kidney/liver are working well.  At 10y if she's having issues I would definately put her on them.  My 9 1/2y coated girl is ouchy so before a good walk/run I always give her something.  Also if she's active get her out swimming to build up those hind end/front end muscles.
Amy

Thanks for the reply!

Tara is 1 of the "unhealthiest" dogs ever, in terms of chronic problems.  She is allergic to everything (since a baby), so there is almost no oral thing she can have.  She is allergic to animal product.

In terms of joint things, yes she has very much been on gluco/chond-type pills for a long, long time.  She was 1st on Dasuquin, but since her 2nd dermatologist declared absolutely all animal sources off-limits, we stopped it and got a "human" vegetarian version he recommended.  (Lately, however, we've given her a couple of the old since it's horrible to go to waste, and it's such a delight for her to have a "treat" sometimes rather than more pills shoved down her throat.)

Since the 1st and 2nd derms both pretty much declared Tara incorrigible, she's been on steroids for the allergies.  So the original 1st derm is very concerned about her liver, and she's been taking 3 (yummy) pills daily to offset liver reaction.  (That's nice that she can have these "treat" pills that don't cause allergic reaction.)

So yes, I know maybe there could be some other problem weakening Tara, but I just don't think so.  She seems so healthy otherwise, and her shoulders try to bear the burden well.  She doesn't seem weak except her rear legs.  She loves playing outside and last night as usual wanted us to throw her ball and frisbee for her, which we would not.  She keeps trying.

http://adequancanine.us/about/en/faq.shtml
Talk to your vet about Adaquin. It's not a pain masking drug, and it's great for the older dogs because it helps the body rebuild the damaged cartlidge. It was used on my dog when he had knee surgery to help speed his recovery.
Also on an older dog x-rays mey be well worth the price to check for spinal problems like arthritus, bone spurs, bone degeneration. Check the hips and look at the knees. (you can get all this in 1 or 2 films usually.) so you have real knowladge of what your up against. Then figure out the best stradegy for helping her stay healthy and happy.
Best of luck with the old girl.
Fry

Thank you for the info!  I'll ask the vet about Adequan.

I'd be thinking about DM maybe?

I can mention but pretty much doubt it.  She's been "dysplastic" for YEARS - too young, about 3.  Has had some minor trouble, mostly spells of difficulty with steps and the like (she has "her" car - mine - which is just a car, rather than "my son's" car, which is a Jeep she can't get in herself for years).  Otherwise looks like an athlete jumping after her balls and frisbees, even in the last month.  She's over 10 now and just suddenly got bad the other day.

i would consider some type of antiinflamitory for her.

Might have a specialist look at her spine.  Could it be a compressed disk instead of hd??????

Might try underwater treadmills for her.  But do good research as there are good and bad vet offices offering and good and bad machines.  The work can be done say 2X a week and build her up gradually and keep her up if it helps.

Acupuncture can sometimes help.

Gold beads do NOT!!!!!!!!!!





 

Given that she's on steroids for the allergies, any type of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug--such as Rimadyl, Meloxicam, etc.) is out of the question, as using a NSAID along with steroids almost guarantees the dog will develop a bleeding gastric ulcer...so that option is out, unfortunately, unless she can come of the steroids.  From what you've described, it sure sounds like the steroids need to be on board.  A non-steroidal option for pain relief, however, would be tramadol, a human medication that has found great favor with the veterinary community for use in dogs, either in combination with a NSAID or, as would be the case in Tara's case, as a stand-alone pain reliever.

Adequan is absolutely a lifesaver for many dog, but it must be remembered that it is NOT a pain-reliever--it acts to increase the production of synovial fluid in the joints, reducing the friction and the inflammation caused by the friction.  I second those who have suggested she have x-rays of her spine and hips, to determine if her problem is JUST arthritis, or if she's also having to contend with a herniated disk, vertebral fracture or something similar that medication won't be able to suppress sufficiently.  You may be surprised to lean that her hips are fine, and the trouble is caudal equina syndrome or some other issue.  Just had this with the 8 year old I adopted last fall--expected to see bad hips, turns out the hips are fine, and his lameness is due to a 'joint mouse' in his right stifle.  His 8 year old hips are the stuff we all want to see on when we send out films for ratings...

It's also time you invest in some equipment to help your old girl get around, too.  A portable ramp is extremely valuable, and useful in the house and to get into a vehicle, and you can get one that adjusts in length for about $100.  Also needed is some type of sling or harness for the hindquarters, to make it easier for her to go up and down stairs, as well as to help her get around when the footing isn't good (slippery flooring, ice patches, etc.).  I've had excellent results with two items in particular:  the 'Help 'Em Up' harness, which is a full body harness:

http://helpemup.com/

The other support harness I've used and recommend is this:

http://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/collections/walkabout-harnesses/products/walkabout-back-harness


For both items, it's critical to make sure you get your dog's measurements correctly before selecting the size: too big and the sloppy fit will make it hard to give the dog good support and control of movement; too small, and it's just flat out going to be uncomfortable and of no help at all.

BTW, ask your derm vet about using a milk thistle extract supplement to protect her liver; it's not an animal-sourced product, and the documentation of its efficacy is convincing.