my elderly yorkie - legs going and getting thin

[mymarci]

Please can anyone offer me advice please? My marcelle is 17 and 4 months young. She has always been really strong and healthy weighing all her life 5kgs or 11lbs going down 1lb or half kilo every summer and then back up for the winter. She has moved house several times with me, moved countries too and travelled well with me in our camper. She had a bad start in life and came to me when she was just shy of 2 years, very afraid of the world and humans. However she soon trusted me and we have loved each other for over 15 years now. Two months ago we moved house - since then her health seems to have gone really downhill. For 2 years she has had a weaker back left leg but suddenly both back legs seem to have gone very weak and she is having real difficulty walking or even standing for a long time. She is very wobbly and frail but manages a bit on flat ground. If the ground is uneven, uphill or downhill or slippy then she cannot walk at all. When we moved in to the new house she developed diarrhoea, vomiting and loss of appetite and got very tired. Took her to vet who says give her medicine that rebalances flora in tummy. That worked and the diarrhoea stopped but she continued to vomit it a bit. Back to vet and he says she is suffering from tummy acid and I should make up a solution of anti acid which i must give her 15 minutes before she eats, up to a max of 4 times a day. Trouble is she is eating only a little and mostly only once a day. So I offer her a tasty morsel and if she is interested, then i take the food away and give her the anti acid and then feed her a bit later. Seems to have worked as she has stopped vomiting and her stools are firm and healthy. But over the past 2 months she has lost around 25 percent of her body weight and is skeletal. She is refusing rice or boiled chicken and is now being extremely fussy about what she'll agree to eat. I have been tempting her with beef liver, minced steak and yesterday she agreed to eat the beef bougignon that we had cooked for ourselves (no wine in it). So she ended up having the meat (mixed with a few of her biscuits) and we ended up having the vegetables. But we don't care so long as she eats something. She is drinking plenty of water. But I can see she is getting weaker and I want to build her up a bit. Vet says she lost the weight because of the diarrheao but it is not life threatening. When I ask him why she won't eat the rice or boiled chicken but wants the dog treats or the liver or minced beef of stewed steak, he says cos it has a better taste. Does anyone have any idea how or what I can feed her so she builds up again? I have tried force feeding her.....Why has she suddenly gone downhill so quickly? Does anyone have any idea why are her back legs so weak so suddenly and what can I do? Marcelle has been with me over 15 years and I cannot bear the thought of being without her - she is my family - everyone else has passed on and if she goes then I shall be completely alone. I cannot bear to be without her. I am taking her for little walks on flat ground in an attempt to ger her to release energy and therefore raise her appetite but its a bit hit and miss whether she'll agree to eat or not. Also giving her light massage on her back legs and moving them about and pushing against the flat of her back feet so that she pushes back. Sometimes she kicks her back legs in annoyance so they are still able to move so I dont understand why she cannot walk. Please advise me if you can - many thanks for any and all advice.... We have to move house again next week after being in this new house only 2 months. This is due to a very bad, nasty unscroupulous landlady who has left us in a house with no heating. So have found another house to move to. However I am very worried about Marcelle and how she'll cope again with another house move. I forgot to mention that she is basically blind due to cataracts and also she can hear but not a lot. Her sense of smell is fantastic! Please give any advice or experience - I would really appreciate it...

[Yorkiemom1]

To have started life on a bad note, after you took this precious little lady into your heart, she has rewarded you for your love and kindness with a wonderful healthy life and a glorious 15 years together...17 years total! What a magnificent testimony to the love and care she has received from you all these years! And even with her unfortunate beginnings, she is from wonderful, strong stock! And now, like we all do, she is slowing down....our systems just begin to wear out on us...blood vessels age and harden, eye sight clouds, hearing wanes, our thought processes dim, and as much as we may want to live forever, our bodies just are not designed to do that. At 17 years of age, your precious Marcelle is winding down....she could be having muscle weakness due to little strokes, or she may possibly have an issue in her spine....synapses between nerve endings dont trigger like they did when she was young....with her sight impaired, and you moving to new living arrangements at frequent intervals, this is going to be stressful on her....she is unfamiliar withthe new area, she is fearful becausew she doesnt see it all as well....she may be experiencing some dementia,there again from vessels in the brain aging....you just hold her close, love her, let her know she is safe and that YOU are the one constant in her life that is not changing, and treat her symptoms as they appear. And to YOU I say, "job well done, faithful servant"......and I personally would feed her ANYTHING she wants!

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

To have started life on a bad note, after you took this precious little lady into your heart, she has rewarded you for your love and kindness with a wonderful healthy life and a glorious 15 years together...17 years total! What a magnificent testimony to the love and care she has received from you all these years! And even with her unfortunate beginnings, she is from wonderful, strong stock! And now, like we all do, she is slowing down....our systems just begin to wear out on us...blood vessels age and harden, eye sight clouds, hearing wanes, our thought processes dim, and as much as we may want to live forever, our bodies just are not designed to do that. At 17 years of age, your precious Marcelle is winding down....she could be having muscle weakness due to little strokes, or she may possibly have an issue in her spine....synapses between nerve endings dont trigger like they did when she was young....with her sight impaired, and you moving to new living arrangements at frequent intervals, this is going to be stressful on her....she is unfamiliar withthe new area, she is fearful becausew she doesnt see it all as well....she may be experiencing some dementia,there again from vessels in the brain aging....you just hold her close, love her, let her know she is safe and that YOU are the one constant in her life that is not changing, and treat her symptoms as they appear. And to YOU I say, "job well done, faithful servant"......and I personally would feed her ANYTHING she wants!

Exactly. You have given her a wonderful, loved, and full life. It's hard to see them age, but you are doing a great job. Just feed her whatever she will eat and love on her, just as you are doing.

[gemy]

What a wonderful story of love! Your love shines through with every word!

Here in North America there is something called Bull Jack. It is a calorie dense product for dogs. Maybe there is homeopathic or naturopathic vet you can take her to, that might have some ideas. Also there is a paste - I will call my friend to get the name of.

Like YorkieMom1 said you are doing such a great job with your gal. I too would have her eat anything she wants! Also another idea you might be able to get an appetite stimulant for her.

For moving again, how about having some blankets with her and your scent on it and she can stay in her crate or playpen. I would introduce her to new house slowly. Maybe the kitchen and then your bedroom, so she can slowly get used to it.

If her joints are achey how about some glucosamine and chondrotin? These are supplements for joints. See what your vet thinks.

Also one more idea - how about a heating pad put on very low under her blankie when she sleeps?

Let us know how your move goes; and we'd love to see a pic or two if you find the time

[107barney]

Rice and chicken is just very bland. I would try to make some sweet potato or butternut squash for her with some chicken or even very lean beef like eye round. If she is able to tolerate some fat, I'd add 1/2 tsp of coconut oil. I think she might be more interested in this combo. I have one that will spit the rice back in my face. Another thing to try is chicken and green sweet peas (canned, no salt added). I would go with about 20% meat as she is older. If she likes fish, you could try steamed tilapia or cod in conjunction w/ the butternut squash or sweet potato. The butternut squash is highly palatable to dogs, mine go nuts for it. Good luck and best wishes. I echo the sentiments of the others and hope you have more time with your darling!

[Ellie May]

With that much weight loss, bloodwork should be done.

Has the vet diagnosed the leg problem (told you what is causing it)? It could be so many things, but common arthritis ay be possible. When an arthritic dog walks on flat ground they shift their body weight to the front (assuming arthritis is toward the back). This helps them move. When they are going up, they can't do this making it more difficult. Have pain meds been tried? Pain could also stop a pup from eating.

[mymarci]

Thank you to all of you who have replied to my initial thread. An update: So for 4 days Marci ate each day, but would only eat the beef from the beef bouefgignon that we prepared so we get the veggies. On 4th day she decided that she wouldnt eat any more beef or anything at all but finally at 2am she ate a piece of the boiled chicken when she thought that I wasn't looking, so I gave her two bowlfuls of boiled chicken mixed with some biscuits and she polished the lot. Went to vet yesterday and he sold me some HILLS prescription high calorie critical care canned food (its an american product I believe) and told me to give one can a day with nothing else or half a can a day with chicken or other meat. So today when she refused to eat and bearing in mind that she would not eat yesterday, I gave her quarter of a can by syringe which she took quite well. I will do this 4 times a day by syringe if she refuses to eat, She wont get away with this - as my partner/friend said: she will eat and survive! The vet advised me that she may have an artheritic problem in her hips and told me that the massage etc that we are doing on her back legs is very good for her - but has prescribed me 1ml of essential oil of nettles mixed in essential oil of almond - this to be obtained from the chemist. This oil is for the massage which he says is better given at the base of the spine where the two legs meet. She is also to have green lip muscle tablets which is a natural fish oil product from New Zealand It will be gentle on her tummy and will help with her back legs / hip problem. He does not want to prescribe anti inflammatories as these can upset her stomach which is obviously very sensitive at the moment. I have seen green lip muscle in action before and it really works very very well and fast too. I have seen an elderly dog unnable to walk for ages - after one week on green lip muscle he was running or marching around like a puppy. He only lived another few weeks but his last weeks living on this earth were wonderful, pain free, active and happy. Someone in the vets surgery overheard my conversation with the vet and announced that she has a box of green lip muscle tablets at home which she no longer needed so I could have them for Marcelle if I wanted, She is going to leave the tablets on Monday 10 december at the vets for me to collect - free of charge! How wonderful and so much kindness! Dont know if I can get them easily in this french backwater but I know that in the UK they are readily available through any good health store. Or they can be bought online easily. Apparently this will also ease any pain she may be experiencing from her hips - the vet thinks that she has pain there and that is why she doesn't want to walk. Happy to announce however that Marcelle has had no diarrhoea or vomiting for ages now. As of now she has kept the Hills critical care food down and I think she is enjoying all the attention - me fussing over her and begging her to eat and then giving her a bit at a time with the syringe..... Vet says that Marcelle knows what she wants and that she has had a good 15 years to train me well to get what she wants from me. By the way, the vet loves Yorkies as he has two yorkies himself. My partner/friend has just gone to the chemist to get her special massage oil. Just to add that the reason we are moving again is because the unscroupulous landlady lied to us when we rented the house - basically there is no heating here and she has no intention of keeping her word and installing heating. Therefore it is 3 degrees in this house - I dont care about me being cold - what I am mainly concerned with is Marcelle - she must be kept warm and comfortable and she will be in the hew house. I have noted suggestions to introduce her first to the bedroom for example in the new house so that bit by bit she will understand that this is her new home. There is a fireplace for burning wood logs in the lounge so on the frst evening I am going to light the fire and put a giant soft cushion in front of it so that Marcelle can lay down in front of the fire - she loves that!
I have noted down all the advice and details so kindly offered through this thread and will speak to my vet about all the suggestions... I will always ask my vet first before I give Marcelle any medication or anything at all as I have good faith and trust in him. My vet is a kind gentle soul who loves the animals far more than the profit his surgery makes. His wife is kind and lovely too! Many many times they have seen me with Marcelle and spent time talking with me, giving free advice and checking her out - without charge! Yes they are there in business to make a profit but the profit is secondary to the welfare of the animal and they recognise that some of us have less money than others and do everything they can to help. The vets in France are generally like this and are very good. Generally in France people love their animals - in fact they are far kinder to animals than to each other! Unscroupulous landlady can now deal with my lawyer - state is paying my legal charges and she has to pay her own. That will teach her to play with people or treat people badly! Apparently she did the same thing to the last tenants here who were a young couple with three children. The children had to live in this cold in the winter until their parents could find a place to move to! And she did the same to the tenant before the last tenants. So I am going to let my lawyer stop her from taking peoples money under false pretences once and for all! Anyway I digress - any advice re Marcelle wanted and needed. All points of view and ideas taken on board and looked at... and very appreciated. As for the kind words re the love I have shown her - Oh no! it is not like that! It is very kind but I can assure you all that Marcelle has given me far far more than I could ever hope to give her. She has sustained me when I could not have continued in this life but for her - she is my rock and I love her more than I could possibly describe with words.... I will update on her progress and will post some photos of her very soon... thank you to all of you, I wish you all and your yorkies health and happiness... amanda and marcelle xxx - hope to hear from you soon.... my first post but what a great website and a great community!

[celstu1]

Your love is sooooo obvious and strong and deep for Marcelle, your last post actually made my eyes tear. (and I NEVER cry!!!) I feel that way about my 2 boys. No matter what I do for them, I can never repay the love they've shown me. I hope to have 17 years with them as you have had with Marcelle (well 15). Marcelle is a lucky little girl to have you to care for her. I hope you both have a WONDERFUL holiday season together filled with love and pain free!!!

[Patti]

Your great love for Marcelle is wonderful. My Nikki was a rescue I took in when the lady who rescued him had a stroke. He was estimated to be 18 Plus years old. As he was a rescue we had no idea what is first 15 years were like. He went completely blind and deaf while with me and he was so skinny you could see his ribs, but he ate well and managed to get around ok. He did have trouble like Marcelle with his back legs. The vet said he had arthritis pretty bad in his spine. He slept a lot but was very content laying next to me. I hope you have many more good times with Marcelle.

[gemy]

@MyMarci;

What a great update. I'm just so pleased your vet was able to suggest various remedies!

I've never heard of the green lip muscle, it is something I will investigate over here for my boy with back issues.

There are a variety of remedies to ease muscle aches, and I do know of green nettle. To stimulate the nerves and the muscles, you can try a light finger tapping over her sacrum/pelvis (ie between her hips) and also all over her low back spine. Almost as is you were playing the piano - but not Rachmoninoff.lol I would do this after a massage and or before you take her for a short walk.

There are three pressure points of good efficacy throughout the hips/legs/hock joints. Travel a short way down from the hip joint maybe 1/4 way to the upper thigh. Using a pincer clasp - ie thumb and forefinger. Press "gently" you fingers together . Hold for 15 seconds or more. Now move down to just above knee, and to the front side of knee. Same clasp - same hold. Finally just under neath the hock joint - just to either side of the tendon - clasp and hold.
Muscle massage is also very good as your vet has mentioned.

[MandiesMom]

Your update post totally made me cry. You are such a WONDERFUL mommy!!! I totally understand what you say about how much Marcelle has given you than what you've given Marcelle. I have a feeling Marcelle would say the same words. Sounds like a pretty close and loving and giving relationship from both sides.

Your vet sounds amazing! I love to read that. Sounds like you are covering all the bases here and that's all you can do. You and Marcelle bring a smile to my heart...just wanted to tell you that

[Buster Brown]

You are a wonderful guardian and friend to Marcelle. I hope the treatments you are discovering help ease Marcelle's discomfort. How wonderful your Vet and his wife sound. Best wishes to you and Marcelle.

[msyorktown]

Your last post made my eyes water....so,so loving...I can onlu hope I have 15 years with mine...yours us trul a testiment to whatbthese babies mean to us,and we to them...bless you for all the love and devotion you have given Marcelle...praying you have more time with her...pls post pics...will be checking back for updates....