More seniors help needed

[Louie and me]

Hello Everyone. I know I should introduce myself first but since I have been a lurker for years I already feel as I am part of the PT family and I currently have a problem that I would really appreciate your input on. Sorry this is so long.
Louie (DOTD September 25, 2002) a German wire haired pointer is now almost 13 years old. He has been suffering from weakness in his back for many months. It has limited the amount of walking he can do and causes him to want to sit all the time. He walks almost on his back hocks as opposed to his paws. Our local vet has x-rayed and found no evidence of arthritis or hip problems, he has excellent reflexes, his blood work results were all good and so she was unable to diagnose a cause. We took him to an orthopedic specialist who was only able to confirm our vet’s results.
Beginning yesterday, it seems as though his front left leg is beginning to show the same symptoms. He holds his leg stiffly and his gait is completely off.
I realize that he is an old man now but because he is in such good health otherwise, I am wondering if any of you (particularly Glacier since I know she has a lot of experience with older dogs), have pets that have experienced the same problems and can shed any light on the cause. We currently have Louie on Meloxicam and Glucosimine.

[Jakesmom]

Your dog's symptoms sound very much like those of my Golden, Jake. According to the neurologist, it is likely caused by multiple levels of disk disease. His back legs are getting weak. Jake has been getting acupuncture for about 2 years now, and it has helped tremendously. It doesn't do it all at once, but it helps relieve the discomfort and over time, has improved his strength. He was getting to where he could hardly jump in the car and didn't want to go for walks. Now, he can run short distances at a gallop, walk fine, and chase his kong in the ocean. You can still see the weakness but he is very functional. I had decided against getting an MRI because I didn't think I would put him through surgery, mostly because for his problems, the risk outweighed the potential benefits (worsening/paralysis vs maybe a bit stronger). Treating him symptomatically with non-steroidals for pain (metacam) and acupuncture has been very beneficial. It is a time and financial commitment (they generally recommend acupuncture treatments weekly for a few weeks then every 2-4 weeks), but it has been worth it.

Good luck.

Jake's mom

[Louie and me]

Thanks, I appreciate the input. I have a friend whose dog was receiving acupuncture so I will check locally and arrange for a consult. Anything to keep Louie mobile and happy. He has always been a bit of a "wild thing" and it is so sad to see him so limited.

[Rachel]

I do hope that Louie will respond to well to the acupuncture. It is certainly seems sworth a try. My Hannah is almost 13 (November) and I am seeing some of the first signs of aging in her. Our vet has recommended Chongrotin (sp) and Glucosomine and suggested we use the human kind as their formulation is regulated. Hannah is can detect (and spit out) a pill put in just about anything, consequently I haven't yet purchased those costly pills for fear it will be a struggle to get them down her.

[Louie and me]

I bought the Glucosamine with Chrondroitin in human form in capsules and I empty the contents into Louie's food. If he notices it at all it must taste OK because he just eats it up. Any kind of pills would be found all over the kitchen floor later. Don't know how he could hold them in his mouth for so long but he did.

[lizbud]

There is also another product that comes in granules. Synovi MSM.

http://synovimsm.net/ It really helped with Buddy. Just sprinkle over
regular food. The pills or capsules were much harder to hide for him too.

[Rachel]

Thanks Irene and Liz. That's a big help.