Strauss's 11th birthday - Page 1

Moo turned 11 today :)  Don't know where the time has gone, but I am grateful he is still here.  Hoping he makes it to his golden birthday (April 13, 2017).  Aside from his rear going, he is completely healthy.

AAAAAAW the old guys are so so precious.  Happy Birthday Strauss and many more . 

Zeph:  Do you give him any supplements to strengthen the rear?  Just curious, my older sammy boy is also showing some weaknesses and shaking in the rear, really don't like it, but ??

Hope you had a wonderful Day, Straus-Maus. 

He's on Dasuquin, but that's it.  His issue is muscle atrophy, and there's nothing that can really help that.  He had x rays taken last year of his spine, neck, and hips, and everything looked great there.

Moo doesn't shake when he stands, and he can still go to the bathroom fine.  He just rests "lower" (stifles more bent) than he used to, and he can't stand for long periods of time on the grooming table anymore.  He sat/laid down for most of his birthday bath.

Awe, Happy Birthday Strauss Love the seniors;)

If his only issue is muscle atrophy, and his spine and joints are good, could you not build up his muscle to help him? Or is he neutered and hard to put muscle on? 

He's still intact, but lots of running and what not isn't possible for him.  We have some foot dragging happening.  I just throw a fizbee for him and let him do as he likes.

I'd strong recommend Adequan, given intramuscularly on the inner thighs, rotated between each leg, with a loading period of 4-6 weeks (1 shot per week) then after the loading period, once a month thereafter.  As for Dasuquin, I have found that Type II Collagen with HA has a more dramatic effect (also expect to gradually increase the dosage every 6 months to a year).  I have opinions on other supplements, but these two would be my bare minimum.  I also know people that had great success with various types of injectable steroids to regain lost muscle mass in the rear (not always prednisone, but it takes quite a bit of convincing to get a vet to order anything else).

I was thinking swimming...or a treadmill on an incline? I agree about Adequan. 

It may be something to discuss with the vet.  In any case, it does not seem he is in any sort of pain.  I'm not really concerned about him, as long as he is comfortable.