Should I?? poll

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 03:14 PM

My friend said

With hip displasia she may be happier without an energetic dog around

I read that dogs with arthritis type owies they need ecxcercise. I'm already walking her. Is that enough? She lays down all day and doesn't move.

However.. she would just LOVE to play with my cat. Only my cat won't play so Runner growls at her. I've tried playing with her, but she will only play for a min then go lay on the couch. When she plays with me, she plays while sitting. Maybe I'm too big?

Would bringing a more energenic dog home help keep her active?

I could babysit my neighbors dog a lil bit to see what happens before I decide.

What do you think?

What are your experiences?

**lv4dogs** · 08-22-2006, 03:22 PM

IF I remember correctly (sorry don't have time to look back) but didn't you have a similar thread when you had Charlie? If not I'll reply more when I get some more time, if someone else doesn't say what I was going to say by then. lol

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 03:25 PM

kind of. He was way hyper. I'm not looking for a really hyper dog. Just one with a bit more energy than her to bring her up more. To motivate her to get active. With Charlie I was thinking of getting one to help take some of his hyperness off. So I guess it's kind of the same, but different too.

**.sarah** · 08-22-2006, 03:26 PM

I think play dates are a better idea for now. Runner just came home, give her some time to settle in

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 03:27 PM

Yes I was thinking of having my neighbors dog come for now to test it out.

**BitsyNaceyDog** · 08-22-2006, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by .sarah

I think play dates are a better idea for now. Runner just came home, give her some time to settle in

I agree.

Also have you talked to your vet about getting her help for the arthritis? Glucosamine is an excelent suppelment for dogs with arthritis.

**areias** · 08-22-2006, 03:43 PM

Isn't Runner only 3? Why does she have arthritis already? Are you sure there isn't an underlying problem?

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 04:48 PM

He said hip dysplasia / arthritis. He didn't exray. But he says more like displaysia. He could feel it when examining her and says it's worse on her right side.

I have been researching an the glucosomine I'm trying to find good prices on. My hubby is a pharmacist and they sell it over the counter. I asked him how much it was. I also read excercise and proper diet is in order too.

So I am looking into RAW and taking short walks at night when sun goes down.

Would walks be enough? or does she need more excercise to build up muscle? She's on pain meds right now, but I hear they aren't good for long term use so I'm using those for temporary.

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 05:04 PM

Also, the type of dog I would look for would be a smaller or med size. I have a 1900 sqft house where there is lots of room to run and play. ON top of walks.

Not a hearding dog that doesn't need a job to do. Charlie needed a job.

He LOVED training sooo much he got the zoomies when we were done. It was likea game. It was soo much fun. I miss it. But I didn't feel up to it a lot of times.

Runner.. has absolutely no interest in training. Makes me wonder if she really is mixed with aussie lol. All she wants is some love. She's just 37 lbs

**Vela** · 08-22-2006, 05:31 PM

Honestly, if you feed raw you may not even need the pain meds anymore. Ginger was three legged lame off and on, alternating hind legs. I used to use rimadyl, but it started making no difference, still in pain all the time. Still lame. I feed her raw now, supplemented sometimes with EVO or RM EVO and she no longer limps, uses all four legs to climb stairs, rather than hopping, plays with cracker, and even is much more anxious to go places. All of that from raw, not to mention clean teeth and no stinky breath she used to have, soft haircoat, loss of excess fat that was making her arthritsi worse. They were on Chicken Soup before the switch, which is still a decent food, and it did make THAT much difference. I also think you'd do better with just one dog for now. Help her through her problems as best you can before looking for another. Good luck with that.

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 06:53 PM

ITA w/all of you lol. She just had her diner and would you beleive it she's actually trying to play with ME now lol. She even barked. First time I heard her play bark. It's so cute an kind of high pitched lol.

I guess she's feeling better today! She's a mommas girl.

**ashleycat** · 08-22-2006, 07:01 PM

I got her to show her teeth

Playin on the couch lol

When she gets overly excited she sneezes a lot. Is this common?

**Lori Jordan** · 08-22-2006, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by ashleycat

He said hip dysplasia / arthritis. He didn't exray. But he says more like displaysia. He could feel it when examining her and says it's worse on her right side.

I have been researching an the glucosomine I'm trying to find good prices on. My hubby is a pharmacist and they sell it over the counter. I asked him how much it was. I also read excercise and proper diet is in order too.

So I am looking into RAW and taking short walks at night when sun goes down.

Would walks be enough? or does she need more excercise to build up muscle? She's on pain meds right now, but I hear they aren't good for long term use so I'm using those for temporary.

You can see hypdysplaisia(sp) it is not hard to see if the dog does has it i have seen many dogs with the hd