Originally Posted by capt_noonie (Post 3600769)

I give Uni Cosequin, and I think it's helping, however, I still feel her knees pop all the time. She doesn't hike her legs though. She was downgraded from initially a 3 to a 2. She is quite slim though, about 5.5-6 lbs and tall. Katie, my former foster, was never formally diagnosed, but I knew she had a problem with her right knee, as she would do the same after a play day. If you tried to touch that leg she would snap at you. She did not know how to hold herself back while playing. She was more chunky, overall more stocky, even though you could feel her ribs, she did lose some weight while I had care of her, she was still "big boned". I did not ever hear or feel her knees popping though.

Have you put Callie on supplements yet? they won't make the LP go away, but will help with the joints. Also try to keep her on the skinny side. Personally, I didn't like Uni swimming bc of the chlorine. Her hair is so delicate as it is, I didn't want to add any more chemicals to it, and plus she didn't really seem to love it. She would just swim to the edge of the pool and get out.

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985 (Post 3600747)

That's a toughie. All I've known to give is the supplement. I do keep Kaji from jumpin on high furniture, and I try my hardest to keep him slim. (I'm failing in that department) other than that, the only other thing I know to do is have the surgery. I hope someone else knows something. I would like to know as well.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 3601852)

I'm failing at keeping Callie slim too which I need to get better at. I try to keep jumping down but she is such a strong willed girl lol. I'm trying to keep surgery as a last option thing.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 3601852)

I'm failing at keeping Callie slim too which I need to get better at. I try to keep jumping down but she is such a strong willed girl lol. I'm trying to keep surgery as a last option thing.

Originally Posted by JDS (Post 3602035)

My vet suggested using our bath tub to get swimming exercise in for Lulu. She has grade 3 LP in both rear legs & had surgery on one already. She also takes supplements. We are hoping to avoid surgery on the other & so far she doesn't show any clinical symptoms.

Originally Posted by capt_noonie (Post 3600769)

Personally, I didn't like Uni swimming bc of the chlorine. Her hair is so delicate as it is, I didn't want to add any more chemicals to it, and plus she didn't really seem to love it. She would just swim to the edge of the pool and get out.

Originally Posted by Britster (Post 3602167)

Can you cover the pool when you are not using it? It sucks to have one and let it go to waste. :( I really swear by swimming. It's such a great workout for both dogs and humans. I think it's why Jackson is in such great shape, he has awesome muscle mass and is really skinny (well, not TOO skinny, but perfect, IMO). I owe most of that to swimming and it's no stress on joints. Or could you get could a nice ramp she could climb out of (in the pool), or a cover, or some sort of small fence to keep her out of it when you are not outside? Believe me, I'm all about pool safety, I run a charity foundation on it. So I understand your concern.

As far as weight loss, up hill works too. I live on a big hill so I try to walk up our LONG driveway a few times a week w/ Jackson, for both of our sakes. Not sure how great that is for the joints but I think it will help with weight loss.

A lot of people swear by glucosamine. Actually, the Zuke's Hip Action treats get a lot of great reviews. Worth looking into and most dogs (even my picky dog) takes them as a treat. :)

Good luck w/ Callie, let us know how she continues to do. :)

You can kind of see his 'figure' in these pics.



Hehe, I wish I could use the bath-tub. Both Callie and Jackson are about 16lbs so I'm not sure the bath tub would work. Jackson can walk right across it, LOL.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 3603267)

I bought the Zuke's Hip Action treats today and gave her one when I got home and she loved it. Im working on cleaning up the blow up pool I have and will try to figure something out to make sure she is safe. I also bought her a life vest to start her off with in the water. Hopefully soon I will get the pool cleaned and up. It would be nice if Callie could swim in the bath tub I think her legs are to long but I may have to see next time I give her a bath because that would be nice in the winter time.

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan (Post 3603434)

Make sure you are not replacing the supplement with the Zuke's. I asked the orthopedic doctor about them and he said there is not enough of the supplement in those treats to actually do anything. So stick with whatever pill your vet recommended.

Are there any vets near you that have a water therapy tank? After my parents poodle had LP surgery- she went for water therapy sessions at a local vet.