Quote: leih merigian

.... in general, or with this dog specifically?

I guess I mean older dogs (or any dog with OA changes) or pups. Or in this case, a dog with an undiagnosed wobble and possible spondylosis.

I can picture the benefits in muscle-building, and the question was about how to strengthen the "rear," but this is an older dog with a toe-dragging presentation and trembling. I'd want a vet-check before even thinking about allowing the dog to pull in harness or start to fetch from a down.

Not criticizing at all -- just discussing.



P.S. I do muscle-maintenance and joint-strengthening work with a senior I have, but he had x-rays and a diagnosis first (he was turning one forepaw under, bunny-hopping, etc.).

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: leih merigian

.... in general, or with this dog specifically?

I can picture the benefits in muscle-building, and the question was about how to strengthen the "rear," but this is an older dog with a toe-dragging presentation and trembling. I'd want a vet-check before even thinking about allowing the dog to pull in harness or start to fetch from a down.

No disagreement whatsoever.

leih

 Quote: Jo Harker

.... Taking him to vet before I try to employ an exercise program would be the best beginning. His slowing down from his daily patrols of the farm may be his way of protecting himself. ....

If you post back when he has seen the vet, I betcha we can help with both gentle exercise suggestions and probably massage/PT/passive exercise work.

Sounds like Leih has canine PT knowledge, and I am not a health professional but have learned about passive exercise and massage for a few seniors with OA, and the one now with two collapsed/crushed disks and HD, etc.

Absolutely I will post back! It will be this weekend or the next before I can get him in, though. I got tapped of funds for his thyroid blood work and need to check my "dog" fund to see if I can get it done this weekend. If not, after pay day next week.

(I want to thank all of this board for helping me with my boy. No one in "real life", that I know, truly cares about training their dogs or helping me figure out the health problems of my dog. Healthwise, put him to sleep instead of spending money...
)

I know I keep thanking, but you have no idea how much I appreciate the knowledge and care of dogs you all share with people you don't even know. I have never seen a board like this.

Quick update:

Appointment is set for this Saturday at 10:00 AM. Wish us luck.

 Quote: Jo Harker

Quick update:

Appointment is set for this Saturday at 10:00 AM. Wish us luck.

Fingers will be crossed

Don't forget...you've just switched him to raw, which will help his pain (whatever the source). It'll take some time, but it will help.

My nearly 11 year old GSD has spondylosis (that's arthritis along the bottom of the spine), and arthritis in her spine (the top) and hips, and probably other joints as well. The kinds of things I discussed above (as well as some massage and trigger point pressure deals) were recommended by a vet that specializes in rehabbing sport dogs. These things make a big difference! I don't have her on any pain meds, and she's very active and functional (most people think she's 4 or 5 years old).

So, once you get your diagnosis, there will mostly likely be things you can do to help to some degree, at least.

leih

Fingers crossed too! I hope it's something that you can get diagnosed and work with.

My old shepherd had spondylosis and eventually got to where she had to walk really slowly and if she tried to run (poor old thing still wanted to chase EVERYTHING) she would fall over. All of this started with her dragging her toes on walks and gradually progressed to wobbling and weakness. She was never in any visible pain, however, and lived happily for years even though she was crippled. When I moved across the country I left her with my Grandpa because she loved him and I thought the cross country move would be hard on her. She was still happy and seemed pain free when he had her put down a year later (at 12 years old) because he could no longer care for her. I really wish I had been in the financial position to go back and get her ... I never should have left her there, but I thought I was doing the right thing for her. It really upset me when he put her down because she had become inconvenient.

My current shepherd (almost 8 years old) was diagnosed with spondylosis 4 years ago (very mild, as of yet) when it was spotted on an x-ray taken for another purpose. Now she is no longer allowed to jump or do any jolting exercise. She loves to swim and she does get to play fetch on level ground. In warm weather, I swim her as many days a week as I can get her to the creek. After a heavy rain we can't go because the current gets too strong, but most of the time it is just a gentle flow, enough to create just a little more resistance for her. I also make sure she stays warm and has lots of fluffy straw in her crate to provide a lot of cushion. I haven't yet seen any symptoms with her except occasional and very mild rear stiffness if it is cold and she has been inactive. Hopefully I never will.

I hope all goes well at the vet on Saturday. Finding out just what is wrong is always the first step to managing the problem and giving your dog the best care and comfort for as long as he is with you

Well, back from the vets. First things first.
Hambone's hips and stifles (knees?) are almost perfect. One of the best placements of everything he had seen for a long time.

Now, Hambone does spondylosis in the lowest part of his spine nearest the dock of his tail with three vertabrae involved and he has bone spurs on his upper lumbar vetabraes. We also xrayed his pasterns because of signigicant crepitation in his left pastern area and found one osteophyte (?) and some soft tissue injury. So, he told me that soon Hambone would have trouble getting up from lying down due to spondylosis and bone spurs, do not jump him...I don't..., and he prescribed Tramadol for the pain and I didn't argue. This guy is outside until evening unless there is an ice storm, significant snow, or sub zero temps and deserves to have some pain relief.
(And, yes, in case any one wonders, he has a very snug igloo with padding and warm quilts to lie on but I still bring him in when it is very bad).

Oh, he also mentioned to continue the Wild Alaskan Salmon oil ( from grizzly ), and the Vitamin E because recent studies have shown Omega 3's help reduce inflammation....which is why Hill's introduced their new product with mega dose of Omega 3's. He is still ever so subtly trying to get me on a Hill's diet...which made my boy sick years ago...getting off topic.

Okay. NOW....where do I go from here? I had a thread which linked to some ortho sites, but can't remember my search terms and now can't find it. Any one remember those sites? Any first hand knowledge to help me help him would be great. (Doc didn't say anything about physical therapy, etc).

I'm sorry to hear that he has spondylosis. At least you know what it is now and can form a plan on how to proceed.

Do you have a place where he can swim? (once the weather will permit it) I think that this is the best exercise they can get. It strengthens those vital rear leg and back muscles without further stressing the spine. I think this is what is keeping my girl doing well.

I could be wrong, but I don't think you can do anything about the degenerative neurological aspect (from the narrowing spinal canal). Good strong muscles will keep him as good as he can be for as long as possible.