[Kate]

I have a 5-1/2 lb., 12 year-old, female Yorkie that is the love of my life.

She is starting to slow down. She is starting to get cataracts, and has a collapsing trachea which is being treating quite well with medication.

But, last night I picked her up and she let out a yelp. I held her for awhile, then let her out to go potty before bedtime as we always do. I carried her outside, but when it was time for her to go up the two steps to my back door, she sort of fell back a tiny bit, and could not go any further. I carried her inside. Needless to say, I did not sleep most of the night as she sleeps on the bed with me, and I did not want her to fall off her steps, next to the bed, if she decided to get a drink of water in the middle of the night.

She is better today, but I sense she has some arthritis. She now has a ramp to go up, not steps.

Does anyone else have this problem with their Yorkie, and if so, do I need to get medication from a vet, or is there something I can give her over-the -counter? She still has a healthy appetite so I doubt there is anything wrong with her other than arthritis.

Thanks in advance.

Kate