Did you ever wonder about the quality of service recommended by friends, but just didn't know how to evaluate it? Well, woozel lovers, you are invited to read my mail if you or friends of yours really want some excellent advice about your woozel problem.
Dear Zen Trainer,
Need some advice about Andy, my not-so-little Rat Terrier. Ever since he had puppy surgery, he has been fat - he's pushing 35 pounds at 8 years of age. He has developed problems with his hips and in July had a bout of pancreatitis. He recovered from that and is now on Purina Healthy Diet kibble and mostly chicken (about 2 tablespoons). I've been giving him 3 Cosequin tablets a day (he thinks they are treats). They have helped but he is now ready for a 4th tablet. I don't know if he should be seen by a regular vet or a specialist.
Dear Bear,
Can I call you tomorrow Dick? . . . I'll call sometime after noon.
I put a link below for something that is much better than Cosequin. One of my friends told me about it and what a difference it made in her 16 year old dog.
I have a dog that comes here often and she was having trouble walking so we switched her to this synovial stuff below. The difference was amazing. On Cosequin she could walk the distance of 2 houses (and she's only 11). On this synovial stuff she can go around the block again.
This is the cheapest we've been able to find it. But you might be able to buy a smaller quantity because your dog is smaller.
Synovial
Are you worried about his hips or his pancreatitis? And this is Andy right? The stuff I linked above should really help his arthritis. If he is panting a lot he may need a pain pill daily as well (Tramadol). Maybe just for at night.
If you don't give him anything right now you could start with a low dose aspirin. 81mg. 1/2 in the am with food, 1/2 in the pm with food. And he needs to lose enough weight to be on the skinny side. The less weight on those hips the better.
Pancreatitis is just something that happens to certain breeds when they are middle aged. Especially if they are overweight. No one really knows the cause so there is no cure. usually it just comes in bouts.
To treat it you feed a VERY low fat food. When they have a bout, you fast them for 24 hours. Sometimes they need fluids or pain meds. What you need to watch out for is dehydration. So you pull up some skin on his back. Let go while counting 1001, 1002, 1003. Hopefully it will snap right back in place.
If it takes till 1001, you need to get him to drink some water. Sometimes putting low sodium chicken broth in it will help him want to drink. If it takes till 1002 you need to get him to the vet at least by the next day. If it takes till 1003 you need to go to the emergency room.
You don't need a special vet for any of this, your regular one will do. And your vet should be willing to sell you fluids (Lactated Ringers) and teach you how to give them yourself. Then you could have them at your house just in case. That way you wouldn't need to go to the ER.
If you get yourself set up with the fluids and pain meds you shouldn't ever need the ER.
The only situation where you might want a specialist is if you want to do major surgery on your dogs hips. So you would see an orthopod.
I know that I personally can't afford that. I have a Lab who I love so much I get homesick for him sometimes during the day, but he probably will develop hip dysplasia and there is no way I can afford $5,000 per hip to have it fixed. He is going to get the Synovia, pain meds, massage and acupuncture.
Some of the older dogs here really like massage and they like me to put those heated rice bag things on them.
This picture of Andy & Otis was taken when they were 3.
Three weeks later
I followed your instructions except I've gradually cut down his food. I can see a weight loss & will check it out at the closest Banfield's on Monday. Initially I tried Tramadol since I'm on it and get it free from VA. After a week it might have helped a little bit, but I switched to baby aspirin - which I also take. He's now taking 1 in the AM & 1 at 4 PM. For the first time in months he is walking - and running - without a limp. Night before last he actually climbed into my lap with no coaxing. He watches Otis play catch with me from that vantage point.
Thank you? Naw! Smooches from Andy, Otis, and me.
Go shopping for your woozle's better life, food that is best for the breed, and really good training tips.
I strongly recommend that before you add a dog to your household, go to
Zenpaws.com/, sign up, pay the initial $50 for private phone call(s) and work with her to get the best dog for you.
For Kossacks only: If you can't afford the $50, pay half down ($25) and the rest over the next 2 months.
If your dog is ailing, go to Zenpaws.com/, sign up, pay the initial $50 and write up a history of the dog, when he or she first showed signs that she/he wasn't feeling well and what you have done since then to help the dog.
Remember, Zen Trainer is not a veterinarian, but has decades of experience caring for other people's dogs as well as her own. She may be an idealist when talking politics, but she is down to earth, cost conscious about food and care, and she just gives a damn.
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