Need good karma today for my dog....

[Liberal Veteran]

Tantris, my 12 year old Chow Chow has been having problems with weak back legs for the last couple of months due to arthritis which made it hard for him to stand on them for long periods of time or get up quickly. Yesterday when it was time to come in, the poor baby couldn't get his back legs up at all, so I am taking him to the vet to see what we can do for him. I could use some good karma for this dog. We got him when a windstorm blew down our fence and our other chow escaped and got hit by a car, before we found him, I had gone down to the animal shelter looking to see if he had been found and there was this badly matted chow just begging me to take him home. After we found Kody's body by the side of the road a couple of days later, I decided I would see if I could give this one in the shelter a chance. We brought him home, and the first thing he did was jump up on the loveseat just like Kody used to, turn three times around to get situated just like Kody used to, and lay down just where Kody always did. So it was like a sign from God we were meant to have him. He's been a real angel ever since and I am so worried that at his age we are probably not going to be able to do much, but I hope you can give me some well wishes and send good karma my way for the poor thing that has been a joy to me for over a decade.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Sending good vibes for you and Tantris

Hope his condition is amenable to treatment. ((((((HUGS)))))

[LisaM]

2. Poor thing, it's hard on them in winter, too

you have my best thoughts and I hope he pulls through.

[Stevendsmith]

3. Me Too!

[Richardo]

4. Our big boy (113 lbs, 14 years old) has very weak hips...Rimadyl

...works wonders. Still needs help getting up (we run a towel under his midsection and hoist him up) but it really helps with the inflammation. Try that.

Best wishes for you and your puppy...

[mdmc]

5. You are going to have to put him down

And you are in my prayers. Perhaps getting your chow stoned (exhale pot smoke for him to inhale) would ease his pain, just make sure he doesn't do anything while high that would increase his discomfort (like running around, for instance).

Best of luck to you all. :peace:

[Mikimouse]

6. Wishing you both the very best...

I will keep my fingers, eyes, and toes, crossed. Our Putzin had a similar problem about two years ago and it turned out be an acute process. He is fine now, and gets around normally, if carefully.

[roguevalley]

7. Your baby sounds like a very wonderful boy. They will give you

medicine for his arthritis, I am sure. That's very
treatable in dogs. I have three dogs with it. If
they give you Rimidyl, you will have to monitor his
liver but it makes them new overnight. I will think
good thoughts for you and your pup. Please let us
know how it goes.

RV

[ET Awful]

8. Good vibes comin' your way. . . .

[meti57b]

9. sending hugs and warm wishes for you and your pooch.

[Raven]

10. My Gypsy has the same problem and my heart goes out to you.

Gypsy is a 14 year old black lab/collie mix. I have had her since she was a puppy. Two years ago she started having trouble going down stairs and the Vet took x-rays. He told me that she had the worst pair of hip he had ever seen. Here is what I have done:

I give her a Cosequin DS tablet with her food twice a day.

She takes Etogesic every other day for the pain.

I have a ramp for getting her into and out of the car.

I had her on Rimydyl for pain but it really messed with her kidneys so she's off that now.

I make sure she gets some, gentle exercise everyday.

Gypsy still can get up and around and I want to have her with me for as long as I can. The thing is to watch for the pain. You will see it in the dog's eyes and in it's eating habits. Good luck. I know what you're going through.

[commander bunnypants]

11. Good karma for you and your pup

and a hug too

DDQM

[RebelOne]

12. Sending good thoughts and vibes your way.

I hope the vet will be able to help him. But, by all means, do not let the vet prescribe Rimadyl. It is an arthritis drug, but it can cause some bad affects. Some 2,000 dogs have died from it this past year. I had an 11-year-old Rottie with arthritis. The vet prescribed Rimadyl for her. It seemed like a miracle drug for a while, as she was like a young dog. But after three months, she started getting sick to her stomach and having bloody stools. Because I had done some research on this drug, I knew what to watch for. So the vet prescribed another drug and after 3 weeks the same problems developed. So I had to mainly go to glucosamin(sp). That helped until she died at 12 years old from an immune deficiency blood disease. Just thought I would tell you this should the vet want to put your doggie on Rimadyl.

[Richardo]

15. Rimadyl - liver monitoring - so far our dog is OK with it after 2+years

We check his liver periodically and he's OK - so it depends on the dog.

[AmericanErrorist]

13. I'm sorry...

but my karma ran over your dogma.

Good luck to your dog.

[geniph]

14. My cats send healing purrs

and I send my hopes and best wishes for a speedy recovery for your pup. Whatever happens, remember you've given this dog years of joy and happiness that he would not otherwise have had. If his time to cross the Bridge comes, remember that.

A friend of mine who breeds Borzois has had great luck with a veterinary chiropractor who treats her Borzois' arthritis. It gives them a great deal of relief; you might look into that option in your area. Hot water bottles can help, too; make sure the dog has gentle heating where he sleeps. There's also options for K-9 carts if the dog's immobilized but not in too much pain. Do what you can to preserve his quality of life as long as possible. Our pets are little living embodiments of love and deserve our best care. Bless you for taking him in and giving him these years of happiness.

[OneBlueSky]

16. if the dog is otherwise healthy . . .

you can buy a cart that supports his back end while he's outside . . . apparently they work like a charm, and the dogs seem to love them . . . I had some companies bookmarked when I was researching options for my elderly lab, but deleted them when I ultimately had to have him put down (he was 16, and had just stopped trying) . . . check out some of the vet sites, search for mobility problems, and you'll probably find links to several companies that could be of help . . . good luck . . .

on edit: here's one of the companies I mentioned . . .

http://www.k9carts.com/

you can find others by doing a Google search for "dogs+mobility+carts" . . .

[underseasurveyor]

17. I'm sorry about your puppy dog.

It's tough to watch em age and it's SO heartwrenching knowing that the inevitable draws nearer. I put my sweet Miyaca girl to sleep over five years ago and still to this day I miss her terribly. I still tear up. She was the best. Even saved my, then very young son and I from a potential mountain lion attack when we lived in Colorado. She put herself between us and danger and stood her ground.

I came across this many many years ago, it's either from Dear Abby or Ann Landers, and I clipped it out and put it in a scrap book with pictures of my dear departed pets. Sadly I will be adding another, my kitty Bubbies who died just last Thursday:cry:

But this clipping even though it tears me up to read it, at the same time it also brings me great comfort. Here ya go...tissues ready.
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Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the love of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it's cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I can't tell you when I'm thirsty.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life.

And my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroric efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
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You and Tantris are in my thoughts.