There's Diana. There's nothing much wrong with her, except she hurts from old age and arthritis, the same maladies of her female human. This morning she was limping badly and quite lethargic. The vet gave her a steroid shot and two medications, one for arthritis and one for pain. We shall see. I suppose with the pain medication, she will still be lethargic. The possible side-effects for the arthritis medication are somewhat scary. Labradors, especially, seem to be sensitive to the meds, and we think that Diana may be part Lab.
She doesn't want her dog bed now, but seems to prefer to lie on the floor. Whatever she wants. Poor baby.
UPDATE: Diana just came over to me to be let out. She's walking much better and seems on the mend. I'm still getting the glucosamine. We've decided, on our own, to give her the arthritis medication only once a day, instead of twice. The warnings of side effects are too scary.
So sorry. Hope she is OK. Caught Angie, my aging demi-chow, on a raw nerve as I lifted her into the car this morning. She screamed, snarled at me - a panic response - and limped all morning, but she seems OK now.
ReplyDeleteRepeat - hope Diana is OK. Was thinking about her just yesterday.
Lapin, thanks. Diana is always stiff when she first gets up. I wonder if something happened during the night. If she's like me, though, the pain can come seemingly with no cause.
ReplyDeleteShe's so black that you can't see much except a blob.
Theology is unclear. The ***** ABC is unclear. Politics are unclear. Love for our companion animals is pelucidly clear.
ReplyDeleteMolly the WonderDog sends her best.
And our prayers.
You may have tried it already, but glucosamine made a huge difference for my wonderful dog Sasha in her last few years.
ReplyDeleteSusankay, thanks, and give Molly the WonderDog a hug, too.
ReplyDeleteRobert, I'd be reluctant to continue the arthritis meds long-term after reading about the side effects, so I appreciate your suggestion. Do vets help with dosages of alternative meds? How would we know how much glucosamine to give Diana?
I second the glucosamine. I am loving Boswellia Serrata. 250 mgms twice a day. My shoulder is sooOOOoo much better. Might be worth a try for Diana. Get some for her "female human".
ReplyDeleteGet some for her "female human".
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, thanks. The light bulb finally lights up. I can't take the anti-inflammatory meds. It's worth a try, surely, for the two of us old gals.
Diana --mr witty sends his good wishes. (he greatly admires older women --canine or otherwise.) and he says he much prefers the cool floor this time of year as well.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, thank mr witty for both Diana and me.
ReplyDeleteShe ate her supper tonight, which is a good sign.
Absolutely with glucosamine. I feed Angie substantial quantities of this & other supplements every day (ground in a mortar & mixed with canned dog food - she is magnificently resistant to taking any and all pills). 18 months back, thinking they might well be unnecessary, I quit giving them to her for several days. She seized up almost completely. Ask your vet about them and about a suggested dosage. Can email info on various compounds if you're interested.
ReplyDeletePoor baby! My twelve year old Foxy is about the same. She is either in front of the fan or on a cold floor since our air conditioning went out, poor dear.
ReplyDeleteHope Diana feels better soon with the meds.
I do not know about dogs but I would be almost housebound without glucosamine (chloride, the sulphate version is useless for me).
ReplyDeleteHowever it is better on limbs than back for me. I can live with a back ache but if my knee begins to go I am in trouble.
I am sorry to hear about Diana. I would try the glucosamine. It has made quite a difference is a friend's best friend, a sweet old girl named Daisy. As for the tile, cool tiles probably feel good on inflamed joints, the same as when I ice my knee.
ReplyDeleteoh, poor sweetheart. I hope she feels better soon, whether on meds or all the alternatives suggested above.
ReplyDeleteHow's she doing today?
ReplyDeleteMimi -- the WonderDog likes Zukes Hip Action treats with Glucosamine and Chondroitin. www.zukes.com. Our vet approves of them as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been gone for most of the day. Tom was not here when I got home, but Diana roused herself when I got home and seemed a little more perky. I don't know how she's been for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers and suggestions. I'm definitely going for the glucosamine for her and for me, too.
Susankay, I'll try your treats, because Diana doesn't like to swallow pills. We usually put the pills in a small piece of hot dog to get her to swallow them.
Aww, give her pets and love and glucosomine for me (I, too, take it!)
ReplyDeleteJCF, yes, yes, yes.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone.