My Poor Little Dog

Because it had a lot of information and pictures I”m going to direct you to the link. This is often referred to as luxating patella, and yes it is dominent in small breed dogs. It varies in severity.

http://www.nashvillevetsurg.com/PatellaLuxation.html

I have heard of several different kinds of recommendations. From hydro therapy, to avoiding situations like the pet jumping a lot to supplements meant for joints (NuVET Plus and NuJOINT Plus - here is the link- Guaranteed to help or your money will be refunded. http://www.nuvet.com/81098).

Weight is also a big thinking, don’t let him/her become overweight and if he/she is, work on reducing the weight.

It is always heartwrenching when our little guys aren’t feeling well ( I have 5 furbabies of the canine variety), but just do your best. Try different things to see if it seems to help him/her feel better. Perhaps a little bed heater (works for me, my joints hurt I hit the heating pad), give him/her the pain meds and pamper him/her silly :) Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

Shanda What kind of pain meds is he on? Rimadyl is pretty good. We have a pekipom that is on rimadly as needed due to three comppressed disks in his back.

What area is affected by? Hip, elbow, knee, etc.?

Here are some links for hydrotherapy info for dogs:

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hydrotherapy-in-dogs/page1.aspx

http://www.naturalhealinghydrotherapy.com/home.html

If you’re like me, you’ll be willing to try about anything. (I don’t try things that sound nuts, but I do tend to believe that often times, if it works for a human (Like hydrotherapy) then it’s worth a shot. If he seems to have some days that are painful, ask about a mild painpill that you can give as needed. We must do this with Chance, as he sometimes jumps up and down on of things before we can catch him, or gets to playful outside and makes his back hurt. Otherwise you can try some aspirin. Never use Tylenol or Ibuprofen though. Hope this helps. Shanda

his right knee(back knee)

Yes, luxating patella is as common in the small breeds, as degenerative joint disease is in large breeds. Some of the same home remedies apply. Number one…the very most important, is NO excess weight…Your dog needs to be on the low side of her ideal weight. No jumping up on furnature (a toughie, sometimes with a small dog)…however they do make little stairs for them, and you have train them to use’em. Once they find out that their pain is less, they use them happily.

Vitamin E, and Ester-C are two natural supplements that were recommended by my Vet…the dosage is dependent on your dog’s weight…Also Tumeric and Bromelain (they come together in one capsule) help with inflammation in the joint and it’s the infammation that causes the pain).

Did your Vet say anything about aspirin or Rimadyl (prescription)?? You don’t want to give both at the same time, of course, but they both help with inflammation in the joint. Also, Cosequin or Dasiquin…did your vet mention either of those? They are nothing but Glucosamine and Condroiton (Dasiquin has MSM in it also)…all natural building blocks in cartilage production and protection of the joint…

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