LP knee pain

[Lovetodream88]

Recently I have started trying to get Callie's 2 pounds of "extra baggage" off by walking her more and trying to get her more exercise. Well Callie has LP in both knees one was fixed along with a partial ACL tare the other has not been done yet because the Orthopedic surgeon felt the other ACL would tare within 16 months so we are waiting to do the knee when the ACL tears or partially tares. Anyway I noticed her knee seems to bother her decently after a walk so I was going to talk to the vet about something I can give her when her knee seems to bother her do yall have any suggestions about which med to ask for or what else to do to help her knee? I want her to lose her 2 pounds before surgery and want to get us moved and settled in before we do surgery. We are going to the vet Thursday for a shot so that's when I will talk to the vet.

[kjc]

Well pain meds may be good as they can also curb the appetite... Maybe shorter, more frequent walks bc you don't want to push her to do more when her knee is hurting. I would time how long she can walk without pain, then schedule the walks accordingly.

[Yorkiemom1]

Cosequin was a virtual life saver for my Crickette......her little knees and hips are so bad because of poor breeding, they cant even be successfully fixed. She had gotten to where she refused to even get up and walk....I was having to carry her to her food, then to the yard to potty....anywhere she needed to go, I was carrying her.....it dawned on me the time had come for me to make that awful decision to have her put down, as this was no life for a baby that loved to shase butterflies and birds..... My vet suggested we try Cosequin, and I also put her on Vets Choice Healthy Bites Holistic Dog Food.....within a week, she was walking, very slowly, but walking....and within a month, she was moving around without pain and very acceptably! She has been on that combination for the last 6 years, and she has lost some weight because she can now move around, and she actually now tries to run like a young lady again! She has returned to the back yard, in her inevitable quest for butterflies and birds!! This is a first hand account, not one of those, "I have a friend who has a sister that has a neighbor that has a cousin that knew somebody.....". I can promise you I keep at least 8 bottles of Cosequin on hand at all times, for fear that they will change the formula or quit making it and Crickette will be doomed....I ran out one time, and my shipment was 4 days getting to me...Crickette suffered a major setback, and was refusing again to get up out of her bed.....it will all be over for her if I ever run out of that medication....

[bobohyde]

Hi, my dog is 8 days out from LP/torn ACL surgery in his second leg. First leg was 4 months ago. He had some neck pain several years ago (a disk problem) and we put him on Dasuquin. It is from the makers of Cosequin, but also has condroitin and msm (which has pain relieving qualities) in addition to glucosomine. It takes over a month to see the results, but I think Dasuquin is a miracle worker. The vet had him on rimadyl for pain in his stiff neck and because of Dasuquin, he never needs rimadyl anymore. I eventually ditched that vet due to other issues, but we didn't like Columbo being on rimadyl long term as it can cause liver damage, among other things. He was only 4 then. He will be 9 next month. I buy the large bottles of chewables for small dogs and the use a pill cutter to cut them in half. He takes one half every day. As far as weight loss, I am currently in the process of changing foods because I can't get the Innova low fat in small bags anymore. But that is the food I used to get 1 1/2 lbs off Columbo. In fact, I actually counted out the kibbles from what he was getting and subtracted 5 kibbles per meal and he lost weight and eventually leveled off at 8 lbs. and has stayed there for 2 years. (He was pushing 10 lbs.) We are sampling grain free foods now with higher protein and lower carbs, hoping that will also maintain him since that theory works in our diets. Just having trouble with the amount to feed him in the beginning. I have a thread in the sick/injured section about his surgeries, if you want to read it. Also have a thread in the diet section about my quest to change his food.

[Britster]

If it's possible, I'd definitely try to take her to that swimming facility I sent you a link to. I know it's not, like, right around the corner for you but it's probably not too far? 45 minutes maybe from Waldorf to Annapolis? Even if you could do once or twice a month... I think it would really help take the weight off fairly quickly and also be no pressure at all on her knees and joints.
http://www.caninefitnesscenter.com/

Just like for humans, swimming is the best form of exercise for your pet. They work every muscle group, work their joints with no impact and do so with the benefit of 80o water. Also, 5 minutes of swimming is purported to be the cardio equivalent of a 5 mile walk

[ritapatt]

Wow- YT to the rescue! Ziva's vet visit found her overweight(8lbs!) needing to lose at least 1-1 1/2lb- bad knees and he wants her as light as possible. She was swimming all summer but no walks (just too hot here!) we started walking again and after 4 days the poor baby can hardly get up- guess we will have to cut back and start again slowly- I had no idea she was so out of shape.
I'm stopping this am to get the cosequin, any recommendations on what type and how much per day?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Britster

If it's possible, I'd definitely try to take her to that swimming facility I sent you a link to. I know it's not, like, right around the corner for you but it's probably not too far? 45 minutes maybe from Waldorf to Annapolis? Even if you could do once or twice a month... I think it would really help take the weight off fairly quickly and also be no pressure at all on her knees and joints.
Canine Fitness Center - Have you swum your dog today?

Also you can use the bathtub, just make sure to have a non slip mat down. She doesn't have to swim either, water walking is a very good exercise. Fill to just above her knees to begin with. Ten minute sessions to start with

If you live near a beach, walk her in the water along the shoreline.

If you walk outside try to walk her more on the grass, then the pavement.

Try also to walk her on gravel and or sand for a few minutes each day. This will strengthen all her toe muscles and ankles. Which is very good for her knees

Timing of Exercise: After eating, and just before bedtime

Food: No food after say 6pm - or her last exercise time.

Now some exercises and fun things you can do to strengthen the muscles of the legs and back.

a) Have her stand. Yup just stand still. It is in show terms called "stacking" your dog. Command is Stand/Stay. Reward her a lot in the beginning, say with cheerios or green beans, something she likes but is not so fattening.
Build up to three minutes. Position her legs as follows: front legs directly under her shoulders, back paws under her hips.

b) Working from the stand/stay position. Have her lift her paw and touch hands with you.. Well done Girl First one front paw then the other. Repeat three times with each paw

c) Now time for a STRETCH. With your gal on table height, on a non slip surface. Take right front leg in your hand, place your hand up high where the leg comes into her body, and Hold Gently but firmly. Take Left rear leg up high. Now stretch the right leg forward and the left leg back. Count to 15 seconds. Keep the legs relatively close to the ground..
Reward her after doing both sides. GOOD GIRL!

d) Dog bowing. See if she can hold position for 10 seconds, Reward and repeat to 3x.

e) Back up Back up. The dog walks backwards. Very strengthening for the rear legs and buttocks.

f) Sit/Beg/Stand. Wonderful for the Back and Leg muscles. Repeat three times.

To help with after exercise muscle soreness:

1) get a cold pack that you can velcro over the knees. Well actually you need two! Leave on for 5 minutes

2) Epsom salts soak. Fill tub to above her knees with lukewarm water. Add two cups of epsom salts. Let her stay in tub for 5 minutes or more.

3) Massage her wee legs. She will love it. This is wonderful done on Mommy's lap!

If you stick with this program, in two to three wks, you should start noticing some pawsitive differences!

[gemy]

A little more about feeding:

If you don't measure her food, do so. No free feeding at all.

Set regular food times, and feed more of her daily food allotment earlier in the day.

Set rules for other members of the household for now, only you feed and or treat her. Enlist their support, for Callies health and well being.

If you have been measuring and know what amount you were feeding her each day. Reduce the amount by 10%

Have a regular "gals" weigh in day, and track her weight on the calendar.

Treats: a couple of choices, If she loves her food. You can use a portion of her daily food allotment as a treat.
Try to find low or no calory treats she loves. Think of maybe yams, or sweet potatoes, green beans, cheerios. Also they usually love liver, you can make your own liver treats in the oven. With meat and or cheese, a very very tiny bit, say a pea sized bit. And that might be a very high value treat, one you use for say the Sit/Beg/Stand reward.

Of yes teaching walk backwards can be hard for the dog.

Something else you can do is to play tug of war with her. ON NO SLIP surfaces, such as grass or carpet. You will want to keep the toy low down to the floor, so that her rear end rises as she pulls tugs backwards, and you will see her walk backwards!.

But most of all enjoy everything you do with her.

[CouversMom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Cosequin was a virtual life saver for my Crickette......her little knees and hips are so bad because of poor breeding, they cant even be successfully fixed.

My foster who had LP was on this and it was great for her. She moved around a lot better after we got her on this and did really well on it. I would ask your vet about it

[Lovetodream88]

Thank you all so very much!

[Britster]

AWESOME advice Gail!

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Britster

AWESOME advice Gail!

Thanks Brit. I think I need to do an article on word for exercises for dogs.

Much though is from taking seminars n such. As well I apply my human knowledge to the doggy body. And of course Magic has been to physio a couple of times.

[gardengirl77]

WOW, thank you so much gemy for sharing about the exercise!!!!
Heidi was diagnosed a few weeks ago with LP. It doesn't give her any problems, but I was afraid for her to do her normal trick things like sitting up begging, bowing, walking backwards, etc. because I was afraid it might be harder on her knees. She's going to be a happy girl, she loves doing her tricks and now I love knowing its good for her.

I'm going to check out the Cosequine too. So glad I saw this thread.
As I always, I appreciate the invaluable information I learn on here that I never hear anywhere else.

Is there anything specific besides jumping that is better for a dog with LP to NOT do? (She can be wild about jumping, but I'm trying to get her to stop. Today she got excited, made a fast long jump to get on the sofa, did a twist in the air, pushed her back legs against the back of the sofa into another jump. Looked like a little donkey - all in the speed of light before you can get a word out for her to calm down.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by gardengirl77

WOW, thank you so much gemy for sharing about the exercise!!!!
Heidi was diagnosed a few weeks ago with LP. It doesn't give her any problems, but I was afraid for her to do her normal trick things like sitting up begging, bowing, walking backwards, etc. because I was afraid it might be harder on her knees. She's going to be a happy girl, she loves doing her tricks and now I love knowing its good for her.

I'm going to check out the Cosequine too. So glad I saw this thread.
As I always, I appreciate the invaluable information I learn on here that I never hear anywhere else.

Is there anything specific besides jumping that is better for a dog with LP to NOT do? (She can be wild about jumping, but I'm trying to get her to stop. Today she got excited, made a fast long jump to get on the sofa, did a twist in the air, pushed her back legs against the back of the sofa into another jump. Looked like a little donkey - all in the speed of light before you can get a word out for her to calm down.

As you have learned swimming is generally all around the best exercise for them. You can also have her jump into the pool to retrieve toys! That is low impact jumping with a big benefit.

Performance sports that are hard on the knees, because of the quick twist turns, are: agility, flyball, disc, etc.

Retreive on land, don't use bouncy balls instead think of discs, or throw toys that land without a bounce. Do do it on grassy areas that are free of dew. (The slip factor again). Warm up the dog first, with a brisk 10 minute walk or so prior to retreive games.

If she is absolutely crazy about tennis balls only, teach her catch. Where she sits and you gently throw the toy to her. Likely she will have to lift up a bit from sit to "catch the toy". Again do this on a non slip surface.

Ideally put down non slip surfaces on the major areas she is most often in. Do get a ramp for the bed and train her to use it. Treats work well for this to get her up the ramp.

AS young and active dogs with lots of puppy energy, you need to find the safest ways to dissipate the energy. Build her up to long walks. Walk uphill and downhill with her.

[MikaTallulah]

Swimming is great excercise to burn calories while saving joints. You could buy a inflatable pool or kiddie pool of you have a basement for indoor use if too cool outside. Would not work for a Golden (messy) but works for the Yorkies