Sassy is showing the early signs of.....

[Glacier]

She's eight. Theres medicine for this? Does it help alot?

There are literally hundreds of options for treating arthritis. My Goldie has severe athritis in her front shoulders. She takes an anti-inflammatory every day(Meloxicam) and she's just fine--no pain, no stiffness, no problems. She runs and plays like any of the other huskies. (Goldie never was a sled dog so she never had to retire from pulling).

Preacher has had athritis for years. He gets a daily supplement of antler dust. Works miracles for him. He's still stiff, but he's not in pain and he's not getting any worse.

Get Sassy on a daily dose of Glucosomine-Chondrotin-MSM. Talk to you vet for the right dose for her size. You don't need to buy the pricey one from the vet. A human supplement will work just fine.

Keep her weight down, keep her moving. 8 is young for a dog Sassy's size. She's got years left!

[Alysser]

Thanks for the Information, Glacier. My mom said these are the same exact symtoms that RedRouge and Shana had before they had arthrtis. So, we are sure that she is getting it. Also, the fact that she limps daily worries us. So she is going to the vet soon. Thanks agian!

[Miss Z]

Zsa-Zsa has mild arthritis, but my RB cat, Brando, had it quite bad in his last few years, especially around the area where he broke his leg. It was heartbreaking to see him gradually become in more pain as he tried to walk, and i know that animals do have to be put down because of it, it is unfair once it gets really bad to just let them suffer.

To help her though, does Sassy like baths? Brando hated them, but warm water soothes stiff joints and also movement is slower, and therefore easier, underwater. They use pool therapy for people who are suffering from aches and pains.

I hope that Sassy is OK for many more years to come.

[Alysser]

Yes, she does get baths. But she absoulty HATES them. Thanks for the advice. It's may just help her. RIP Brando.

[elizabethann]

Get Sassy on a daily dose of Glucosomine-Chondrotin-MSM. Talk to you vet for the right dose for her size. You don't need to buy the pricey one from the vet. A human supplement will work just fine.

My sister gives her dogs Glucosomine and it works very well. Perhaps you can print these suggestions out and give them to your parents so when you all go to the vet, you can ask him/her about them?

Please keep us posted on Sassy. Eight is very young. Especially for such a small dog.

Good luck!

[pnance]

Get Sassy on a daily dose of Glucosomine-Chondrotin-MSM. Talk to you vet for the right dose for her size. You don't need to buy the pricey one from the vet. A human supplement will work just fine.

Keep her weight down, keep her moving. 8 is young for a dog Sassy's size. She's got years left!

I agree with Glacier. Bears been on this for almost 4 years now. He's a little stiff but isn't in any pain and can run and play with the others.

[AlleyCat]

I have learned that weight can be an issue with arthritis. From your sig it doesn't look as if Sassy is overweight, but if by any chance she is, losing a few pounds may make the difference. Our RB Nikki was about 8-10 pounds overweight and we noticed she was starting to limp when she was around 7 years old, always after sleeping for a while (the weight pressure on the bones). Losing a few pounds, especially after recommendation from the vet, helped her a lot.

[Alysser]

I think Sassy is about 1 or 2 pounds overweight. But not to much. So, I'll take her for walks more often. She was overweight. But she's on a special diet now. Thanks for the info