Dolly and Missy's Mom asks:
Bichon w/arthritis: Dolly is 15, is nearly blind and hard of hearing. She is having lots of trouble with arthritis right now, can't get comfortable and cries at night. We are giving her Metacam non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, glucosamine and aspirin to try to get through this. Seems worse since winter set in. She can still be fiesty and quite a character when she is feeling good. When is it time to say good-bye and how do you do it?
Jean responds:
How is your Dolly doing now?I have had to put down four Bichons. It is never easy but I know they are no longer in pain and I still feel them around me all the time.
Brenda asks:
Hello, I have 2 Bichons Penny is almost 8 years old and Snowball is almost 2. While I was walking them today, I noticed that Penny seems to be waddling side to side when she walks mainly in her front paws, her nails are trim and she is not overweight.
Is arthritis common is this breed? Brenda
Barbara responds:
Hi Brenda
I have a friend that has a 11 year old Bichon with the same problem. She took him to the vet and he has knee problems which i understand is a trait in Bichons. The vet said she believed that he started getting into trouble when my friend bought a high bed and it was to much jumping up and down from the bed. She has him on joint medicine and the strange thing is he sleeps under the bed now. Maybe you could read up on that by going into some Bichon Breeders sites.
Barbara
Melissa M responds:
Hi, Brenda;
I read with interest your post about Penny's problem. While 8 years of age isn't considered "old" for a Bichon, I wouldn't doubt that arthritis could be the culprit. Their little bodies go through a lot of wear and tear, simply because of their diminutive stature. However, it would take a veterinarian to make a diagnosis. I would doubt a diagnosis of luxating patellas, as it is an inherited trait, and I would think it would have presented itself sooner than now. Also, there are a few different types of arthritis, so a diagnosis by a trained professional is paramount to treatment.
I have a cat who is in her geriatric years, (she just turned 20) and I have given her glucosamine for years. It aids in joint health and is made for both human and pet needs. Many veterinarians are prescribing glucosamine for joint pain, inflammation, and also prophylactically. There are different types of glucosamine, (sulphate and hydrochloride) so I would again consult with a vet before treating a dog or cat.
There is some interesting reading on alternative medicine for pets at: http://www.altvetmed.com/arthriti.html
I hope Penny is feeling better, soon!
Jean responds:
Bichons also get back problems (discs) from the jumping on and off of furniture.
If they have been active doing the jumping, then eventually, they will have problems.
Make sure they are drinking plenty of water to keep the joints lubricated also.
Showing posts with label arthritis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arthritis. Show all posts
Arthritis?
Brenda asks:
Hello, I have two Bichons, Penny is almost 8 years old, and Snowball is almost 2.
While I was walking them today, I noticed that Penny seems to be waddling side to side when she walks mainly in her front paws, her nails are trim and she is not overweight.
Is arthritis common is this breed?
Barbara responds:
Hi Brenda
I have a friend that has a 11 year old Bichon with the same problem.
She took him to the vet and he has knee problems which i understand is a trait in bichons.
The vet said she believed that he started getting into trouble when my friend bought a high bed and it was too much jumping up and down from the bed.
She has him on joint medicine and the strange thing is he sleeps under the bed now.
Maybe you could read up on that by going into some Bichon Breeders sites.
MelissaM responds:
Hi, Brenda;
I read with interest your post about Penny's problem. While 8 years of age isn't considered "old" for a Bichon, I wouldn't doubt that arthritis could be the culprit. Their little bodies go through alot of wear and tear, simply because of their diminutive stature. However, it would take a veterinarian to make a diagnosis. I would doubt a diagnosis of luxating patellas, as it is an inherited trait, and I would think it would have presented itself sooner than now. Also, there are a few different types of arthritis, so a diagnosis by a trained professional is paramount to treatment.
Jean responds:
Bichons also get back problems (discs) from the jumping on and off of furniture.
If they have been active doing the jumping, then eventually, they will have problems.
Make sure they are drinking plenty of water to keep the joints lubricated also.
Make an appointment with the vet to discuss the issue at hand.
Hello, I have two Bichons, Penny is almost 8 years old, and Snowball is almost 2.
While I was walking them today, I noticed that Penny seems to be waddling side to side when she walks mainly in her front paws, her nails are trim and she is not overweight.
Is arthritis common is this breed?
Barbara responds:
Hi Brenda
I have a friend that has a 11 year old Bichon with the same problem.
She took him to the vet and he has knee problems which i understand is a trait in bichons.
The vet said she believed that he started getting into trouble when my friend bought a high bed and it was too much jumping up and down from the bed.
She has him on joint medicine and the strange thing is he sleeps under the bed now.
Maybe you could read up on that by going into some Bichon Breeders sites.
MelissaM responds:
Hi, Brenda;
I read with interest your post about Penny's problem. While 8 years of age isn't considered "old" for a Bichon, I wouldn't doubt that arthritis could be the culprit. Their little bodies go through alot of wear and tear, simply because of their diminutive stature. However, it would take a veterinarian to make a diagnosis. I would doubt a diagnosis of luxating patellas, as it is an inherited trait, and I would think it would have presented itself sooner than now. Also, there are a few different types of arthritis, so a diagnosis by a trained professional is paramount to treatment.
Jean responds:
Bichons also get back problems (discs) from the jumping on and off of furniture.
If they have been active doing the jumping, then eventually, they will have problems.
Make sure they are drinking plenty of water to keep the joints lubricated also.
Make an appointment with the vet to discuss the issue at hand.
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