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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on December 21, 2003, at 11:47:40
Yesterday he had an accident in the house (first time since he was a puppy). His only other symptoms are arthritis in his back legs, he fell a couple of months ago down a hill and I had to call the fire dept. who pulled him up in a basket. I read about a drug called budesonide as a substitute for prednisone and will try to find a holistic vet after the New Year, but does anyone else have any ideas on how to keep a 13 y.o. Alaskan Malamute comfortable in his old age?
Thanks, judy
Posted by zeugma on December 21, 2003, at 20:21:43
In reply to My 13 year old dog, posted by judy1 on December 21, 2003, at 11:47:40
Creatine is an idea. My dog was started on creatine at 14 and it slowed the arthritis for a good two years. Also, you can get special coated aspirin for the dog's painful joints.
Posted by Emme on December 21, 2003, at 22:47:18
In reply to My 13 year old dog, posted by judy1 on December 21, 2003, at 11:47:40
Poor fella! One of my friends had accupuncture done on her dog for arthritis and swears that it helped him walk better. Of course not every city is going to have a veterinary accupuncturist!
The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (Joe and Terry Graedon) has a section on arthritis It hs some simple sounding things to try, with a story about successful administration of one to a collie. I think the remedy they used for the dog was a few gin-soaked raisins every day - the gin was allowed to evaporate and the raisins weren't left highly alcoholic. Sounds hokey, I know, but the authors are known for being respectable and have collected a lot of interesting information.
Good luck and I hope you find a good drug or other remedy for your pooch.
Posted by shar on December 21, 2003, at 23:44:28
In reply to Re: My 13 year old dog » judy1, posted by Emme on December 21, 2003, at 22:47:18
Judy,
No recommendations unfortunately, just want you to know my heart goes out to you, and I hope your dog and you will find a good solution.Shar
Posted by Dinah on December 22, 2003, at 9:32:38
In reply to My 13 year old dog, posted by judy1 on December 21, 2003, at 11:47:40
I haven't any suggestions, unfortunately. But I just wanted to say I'm sorry, and will be sending positive thoughts to you and your dog. I know how much he means to you.
I think maybe as they get older, you have to be more proactive in getting them outside instead of waiting for them to tell you as they always used to. It just hurts to get up, and lying down is so comfy that they ignore the warnings.
Harry wears a diaper (because he was a marking male, not because of old age), but I don't suppose that would be realistic with a Malamute.
I'd be interested in finding what you discover for the arthritis. My eleven year old is showing signs of Arthritis. I figured I'd eventually have to ask the vet for some Celebrex.
My house is a doggie old folks home right now, except for the new puppy. Ages ten through thirteen. Harry at thirteen has cancer, his sister is mostly blind and needs very expensive meds to keep what little sight she has, the ten year old is currently having a growth biopsied and has staples holding together her large incision, and the eleven year old is starting to show signs of arthritis. Only the twelve year old still looks like a pup. I'm slowly going broke here.
Posted by Susan J on December 22, 2003, at 9:41:23
In reply to My 13 year old dog, posted by judy1 on December 21, 2003, at 11:47:40
Hi,
I'm so sorry your pup isn't feeling too well. My family and friends have had a lot of experience with arthritis in dogs...
> Yesterday he had an accident in the house (first time since he was a puppy).
<<Not sure if this is related to arthritis or something else age-related. Is it possible to start taking him out more frequently? I know older dogs often need more potty breaks...Our dogs with arthritis took rimadyl (spelling?) which is basically doggie ibuprofen (human stuff is toxic to them). I'd do prednisone, too, if it helps decrease the pain and just watch liver and kidney function...But glucosamine/chondroitin products, available OTC, seemed to help my ex boyfriend's dog a LOT in a matter of weeks...
Other than that, keep him warm, try to make stuff easily accessible to him (ie no stairs to get to water bowls - I used to have fresh water avail. on both floors of my house for my boyfriend's dog), and just love him up, hugs always help!
Good luck, he's lucky to have such a great human. :-)
Susan
Posted by naiad on December 26, 2003, at 12:56:07
In reply to Glucosamine and Chondroitin » judy1, posted by Susan J on December 22, 2003, at 9:41:23
Hi Judy,
I love dog lovers and am sorry that yours is feeling his age. I second the benefits of Glucosamine Chondrotin. My 12 year old labrador had knee surgery about 1 1/2 years ago and he had a VERY long recovery. He had accupuncture once a week for about 10 weeks. I so hoped it would help him but he hated it and it didn't seem to work for him. I have friends who swear by it, however, and you know (because dogs don't lie) that there is no placebo affect.
I've heard that Glucosamine and Chondrotin takes about six months to have any real benefit but for my dear dog, it has made him into a very happy and spry old guy. Best of luck.
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