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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-20-2003 10:33 PM         

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Has anyone had to deal with this? My toy poodle, Sebastian, was just diagnosed with it. Vet says its not bad enough to require surgery and put him on Cosequin. In the last few weeks he seems to be feeling great...even has an increased appetite lately. Now, I always thought he was just picky but now Im thinking he was in pain and that caused a lack of appetite. He has been more playful than usually but still seems to favor his left leg. Today when I was playing with him he jumped and obviously caused pain in his bad leg and then limped for a short period. Im wondering if the Cosequin is enough or maybe he will eventually require surgery. Just curious if anyone else has had to deal with this?.....seems to be quite common in small breeds according to my vet.

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Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 09-22-2003 12:55 PM         

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I know of someone that has a toy poo that has this problem. She has had her in fly ball for the longest time and vet says in her case it has strengthened the joints. But I will say not to go straight to sing your poo up for it. I know you know this Nern. Glucosamine really does make a difference. Maybe someday down the road your poo may need surgery.

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Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-22-2003 06:09 PM         

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My dog does not have this but I read somewhere that building up the muscles in the legs will help keep the kneecap in place and not let it slip so much. Walking would be a great way to do this.

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
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posted 09-22-2003 08:35 PM         

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Thanks for your replies.

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From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 10-07-2003 06:25 PM         

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Nern, what Lacey mentioned about building muscles is true, the muscles will give support to the joint and help keep things in place. You want to try to stick with fairly low-impact exercises though, when you play with him, try to go on soft ground, sand, dirt, or grass rather than asphalt. Also try to avoid things that involve a lot of jumping... frisbee, etc (though him being a small, dog, I don't know how much "bee" he played anyway ). Swimming is a GREAT exercise for dogs with joint problems, so you might want to see if you can locate a hydrotherapy place nearby, they'll be able to show you how to exercise him in the water so as to best help with his problem. If not, and you have a body of water nearby that stays warm, that would work also (the hyrdo places are better though, because they usually have jets that also massage the dog), or for a small breed, fill up your bathtub with warm water and support him in the center of the tub while he swims away for a while several days a week.

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-07-2003 08:15 PM         

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Thanks Goob! Great suggestions.

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