I wanted to update you on our beloved English Mastiff. Her foot has not healed up as nicely as I had hoped. She can put some weight on it and she gets around where ever she wants. (See she manages to get herself up on the couch whenever no one is looking)! She still walks with a pronounced limp. I am thinking that as time goes by perhaps she will walk a bit more normal. She is still the lover that she has always been. I can't see spending much more money for surgery or other repairs at this time. She can live with what she has and I don't know that any thing else would be effective. My main concern is that as she ages she might develop arthritis. There really isn't any way to prevent that so for now we will worry about other things...like how do we keep her off the couch!!!!grace and peace,
julie
4 comments:
Good luck with keeping her off the couch. She kinda seems like the kind of dog who might just hop on what ever she wants, LOL. Just thinking about her size with thats statment, LOL. I hope her foot gets to feeling better.
Hugs
Amy
It is so hard to see a beloved pet suffer . . . . .especially when you can't talk it over with them. You feel like a creep if you don't spend every dollar you have and some you don't just to try something, anything to fix what hurts. But you know you can't. Since she is a heavy dog, the odds are she is going to develop arthritis as she gets older even without a limp simply because she is well-cared for and will live longer than the averages. The vets are seeing it all the time now. Ours advised us to give our shepherd mix glucosamine-chondroitin (sp??) for his joints to keep him more flexible. Well, you almost need a bailout to buy that stuff!! If it's any comfort, I think you're doing the right thing, but I know how frustrating it is. Blessings, Liz
Yeah, I've heard the same about English mastiffs. Such wonderful, gentle dogs, but many of them will suffer from arthritis as they age--limp or no limp. When our dog started getting arthritis (she wasn't a mastiff, of course)our vet had us just give her an asprin in a spoonful of peanut butter everyday. She definitely seemed more comfortable and she loved her daily treat! Just something to keep in mind, even for now, if it seems to be bothering her!
Amy Ellen,
The truly amazing part about Missy is that she is the most submissive dog we have ever owned. All you have to do is point and she will do what you want...usually. She just waits until your back is turned and then she does what she wants.
Lizbeth,
We do have to balance the vets out at times. Our vet is very rational with these type of decisions. Some make you feel like your the worste pet owner ever if you don't succomb to all the latest and greatest findings. Thanks for the encouragment!
Paige,
That is a great idea that I would never have come up with on my own. Thanks so much for sharing that with me!!!
grace and peace,
julie
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