Reply #4: There is a product on the market called Fresh Factors, from [View All]

[RadicalMom]

a company called Springtime Products. They have a lot of testimonials for many products which could address some of your dogs little difficulties. Quite a few people I have known have recommended them to me over the years, but I didn't actually end up needing them, so I can't vouch personally, but they backed up the sentiments in the testimonials, especially regarding renewed energy and dramatically reduced old age symptoms, limping, etc. Their stuff used to only be available through their catalog, but I just Googled them and found lots of sources.

As far as telling you when it's time, that has been my experience with four animals. Sometimes, though you don't want them to suffer, they don't want to leave yet. My mom mostly can't leave her chair and watches TV and naps a lot, but doesn't show any real signs of wanting to leave us, though she has down days. Animals are like that, too. So I guess I'm giving you the same advice. I worry when they have muscle wasting, but I have succeeded in reversing that with vitamins, a change of feed, pain control through supplements and massage-like techniques such as TTOUCH, developed by Linda Tellington-Jones. I have improved many animals lives with that, and humans too. It's not just massage, as it appears at first to be. It stimulates the neural pathways to the brain, affecting behavior, body movement, all kinds of things. Definitely worth trying the techniques. Have you checked her toenails. That can add to the slipping problems on ice or smooth floors, if they are too long. Also, if she fell into her dish soon after slipping outside, it could be because she strained her already weakened muscles when she slipped outside. Be sure she doesn't have to walk on floor that is slippery, like tile or hardwood. It's very difficult for most older dogs. We use rubber backed throw rugs (like bathroom rugs incolors that go with the rest of the house, to create pathways over difficult floors when we have challenged older dogs. She may have a lot of quality life left yet if you can figure out the cause of her problems. Remember to use positive thought.