Well, I had a bunch of stuff typed and Boo hopped up on my lap, bumped the keyboard and erased the entire post. So I guess I was being told to be brief. I'm sorry that I haven't kept up w/some threads but after reading that Max is doing better, I feel better now. I dated a man whose dog had spondylosis and it was treated w/glucosamine and the dog did really well on it. If you decide to take Max off Metacam for whatever reason, you may want to ask your vet about glucosamine. And, as you know, my Puddy has advanced CRF and she's been under anesthesia so many times that I've lost count and she came through just fine. My vet used as light an anesthesia as possible so I'm sure that had something to do w/it and her recovery time was quick, too. (He's afraid to put her under now but she's got so many other problems so it's no wonder.) Please know that you and Max and all of my PT family are in my prayers every day and I'm so glad that Max is romping around.