is a condition of the spine that most older dogs get. The hemivertibrae start growing to one another, the soft tissue in the spine is basically calcifying. This calcifyin is a painfull condition, but by the time the soft tissue has turned into bone, it is only stiff, not painfull.

The surrounding tissue can get inflammated, and can swell, which can cause the dog to get temporally paralysed. This condition reacts really well to drugs like prednison.

Once I had to pick up Lucky from daycare, because he could not sit or stand, and I took him right to our Bulldogvet. Lucky got two or three injections and some medication. The vet wasn't optimistic and told me Lucky should be walking within two or three days.... So I carried him to the car. Lucky started moving and I put him on the floor (better pee on the parkinglot than in my car). Lucky insisted on standing, and with his leash under his belly I helped him stand. He took off to the bushes and I had to let the leash go. He hubbled to a tree, lifted his left leg, peeed, turned and lifted his right leg...... (Yes, thank you, I'm still having nightmares of that day.....). Acupuncture and carefull exercise kept him walking till he was allmost 9 years old. He died of heartfailure.

It is very important that the muscletone on his back is strong. This will help support his back and keep him mobile. Physical therapy, watertherapy and/or acupuncture helps to keep these dogs mobile. A painkiller might be necessary for periods. Exercise, calm, straigth walks is the key word. Allthough vets (and my vet) advise rest when a period of inflammation is going, I personally let my dog take small walks, a few times a day, because it will take only days to loose muscle, but it takes months to get the muscles back. (But I'm no vet!).

Ineke

is a condition of the spine that most older dogs get. The hemivertibrae start growing to one another, the soft tissue in the spine is basically calcifying. This calcifyin is a painfull condition, but by the time the soft tissue has turned into bone, it is only stiff, not painfull.

The surrounding tissue can get inflammated, and can swell, which can cause the dog to get temporally paralysed. This condition reacts really well to drugs like prednison.

Once I had to pick up Lucky from daycare, because he could not sit or stand, and I took him right to our Bulldogvet. Lucky got two or three injections and some medication. The vet wasn't optimistic and told me Lucky should be walking within two or three days.... So I carried him to the car. Lucky started moving and I put him on the floor (better pee on the parkinglot than in my car). Lucky insisted on standing, and with his leash under his belly I helped him stand. He took off to the bushes and I had to let the leash go. He hubbled to a tree, lifted his left leg, peeed, turned and lifted his right leg...... (Yes, thank you, I'm still having nightmares of that day.....). Acupuncture and carefull exercise kept him walking till he was allmost 9 years old. He died of heartfailure.

It is very important that the muscletone on his back is strong. This will help support his back and keep him mobile. Physical therapy, watertherapy and/or acupuncture helps to keep these dogs mobile. A painkiller might be necessary for periods. Exercise, calm, straigth walks is the key word. Allthough vets (and my vet) advise rest when a period of inflammation is going, I personally let my dog take small walks, a few times a day, because it will take only days to loose muscle, but it takes months to get the muscles back. (But I'm no vet!).

Ineke

when he was so sick and they did xrays the dr. saw it and said his was very very thick. she wasn't/can't be sure if it has anything to do with his SB, if it was always like that (no xrays to compare it to)or if it has gotten worse.

i have tied in vain to get Weegee's weight down, but he's just a big boy. he even skips breakfast most days and still he's a monster!

when i notice that he's extra stiff, i give him an ascriptin to help. but other than that i just play it by ear.....sorry i'm not more help. hope gracie feels better!!!

carrie & the boys

when he was so sick and they did xrays the dr. saw it and said his was very very thick. she wasn't/can't be sure if it has anything to do with his SB, if it was always like that (no xrays to compare it to)or if it has gotten worse.

i have tied in vain to get Weegee's weight down, but he's just a big boy. he even skips breakfast most days and still he's a monster!

when i notice that he's extra stiff, i give him an ascriptin to help. but other than that i just play it by ear.....sorry i'm not more help. hope gracie feels better!!!

carrie & the boys

hugs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/griffin6/
http://www.facebook.com/Deborah075?ref=name

hugs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/griffin6/
http://www.facebook.com/Deborah075?ref=name

Deb - I had to put Kano on a diet. I started it before her latest flare-up of lupus (she's currently on 40 mg of Pred) because of her severe arthritis. She has lost 12 lbs in 2 months, and has maintained. I replaced 1/2 cup of kibble with 1 cup of frozen green beans (I nuke them for 30 seconds), and she's been doing great on it. I think that the fact she's getting more bulk really makes her happy. lol

Olivia/Kano/Q-Ball

Deb - I had to put Kano on a diet. I started it before her latest flare-up of lupus (she's currently on 40 mg of Pred) because of her severe arthritis. She has lost 12 lbs in 2 months, and has maintained. I replaced 1/2 cup of kibble with 1 cup of frozen green beans (I nuke them for 30 seconds), and she's been doing great on it. I think that the fact she's getting more bulk really makes her happy. lol

Olivia/Kano/Q-Ball

she has been on predisone for two years...i feel that contributing to the weight gain also....

thanks
hugs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/griffin6/
http://www.facebook.com/Deborah075?ref=name

she has been on predisone for two years...i feel that contributing to the weight gain also....

thanks
hugs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/griffin6/
http://www.facebook.com/Deborah075?ref=name

i did accupuncture for as long as i could...he was 13 yo...i only knew becasue he was having problems getting up and his rear would give out under him....he was only able to walk for 2 months after we found out the problem....he did in 6 months pass from kidney failure...he was no longer able to use his rear...i was able to use a sling to get him up and down stairs but then he just control of bowel and bladder....he went in his sleep.....

five months before his passing....

i did accupuncture for as long as i could...he was 13 yo...i only knew becasue he was having problems getting up and his rear would give out under him....he was only able to walk for 2 months after we found out the problem....he did in 6 months pass from kidney failure...he was no longer able to use his rear...i was able to use a sling to get him up and down stairs but then he just control of bowel and bladder....he went in his sleep.....

five months before his passing....

Hopefully she'll see your post. She had a lot of experience with keeping him comfortable.

Hopefully she'll see your post. She had a lot of experience with keeping him comfortable.