MontananDakota (11-16-2017)
Tanya, how about deep muscle massage rubs. There are youtube videos that show how to do it.
Dog Acupressure for Shoulder Arthritis : Dog Massage for Shoulder Arthritis: Shoulder Muscle Massage - YouTube
MontananDakota (11-16-2017)
Thinking about you guys. Getting older just flat out sucks. The coming freeze is going to be difficult. Hang in there and hugs to the handsome man.
Thanks everyone.
So it's his RIGHT shoulder-leg that is the issue. possibly a slight limp. that would be the side he fell on Tuesday as well. It is also the one that showed issues that began the end of him doign stairs (that is the foot he'd sorta put down and up then down and up).
I wasn't very good (never am) at the "rest" and was going around the block slowly. but we're going back from even that until Tuesdsay (our vet apointment).
He is not on any nsaids, the holistic doc we see is really really not a fan of them. I may push, at some point I am willing to give them even if they destroy the kidneys-liver quicker to keep him comfortable. He really doesn't seem well today (or yesterday). I may go back to see our previous vet as well to see abut pain management if I am not comfortable with the current vet's plan (see both).
yesterday he WHINED for the first time in his life.Now, he was by all accounts doing it cuz I was upstairs with his food (he saw me bring it up) VS just whining cuz he hurts - but still, it is completely not like him.
we had freezing rain today so I am being careful and he wouldn't have been able to super safely do much walking anyway.
thanks I am doing this as well now. i keep stresing i will make it worse but the vet and physio bth said you can't make it WORSE by massaging...but still...
Ivy
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Are you using a sturdy harness for Rocky, so that you are at the ready to assist him with stairs and walking? It sounds like he is past the point where you absolutely need to be right there ready and prepared to help, not necessarily for every step, but to help alleviate/prevent the falters and stumbles. The way you describe the legs shaking says to me that he most definitely is in need of assistance and hands on preparedness.
yes we do. he has a help 'em up harness. I am using it now. I used it a ton last winter but not so much in the summer. he didn't normally fall so much. I think while we figure out the boot issue he'll need me hlding on to it (or anytime it is slippery as we have entered freezing rain season). that day he had htat bad fall he'd been 100% sturdy, he just slipped out of the blue.
I am not a fall of using the back end as it makes it awkward to pee. I will take it day by day. It sucks to limit his ability to sniff and explore because i need to be holding onto the harness but given the season we are there anyway. with ice and snow and slipperyness I have to limit his ability to explore willy nilly.
Ivy
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We go once a month for acupuncture and cold laser for Oban's wrecked elbow. The cold laser really seems to help. I notice it most the day after. Maybe something to look into? These were options with Jet too, when her back was bad, along with chiropractic and swimming in a warm pool. All involved much handling by people strange to her and she did not like that so I never tried them. Good thoughts for Rocky.
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Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
Sadly, that is how it happens, whether it's geriatric humans or dogs. It's out of the blue, it's unexpected; so now that you know, you have to be ready and be in proactive mode at all times. We found that we were able to do fine not using the back end part of the harness, as long as the front was snug enough to stay in place, I think this kind of depends on chest shape. Trying to have a hand on both the front and back we found very difficult and made us less agile when we needed to be.
Hang in there, it's a tough road.
I am going to be using it now (and have been this weekend and will continue to).
a question though - i can't walk holding the handle, hurts my back and makes rock miserable. Can i loop a leash on jst the front part to put around my shoulder or is that unsafe?
I need a new back-end. i used it earlier and he pee'd all over it because it is on his penis. sometimes it sits fine but not today. but with both ends I can loop the leash on front and back and put it around my shoulder or hold it more easily.
Dog Walking Handle Em Upâ„¢
Ivy
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