Difficulty getting up

blord · 12-20-2009, 05:52 PM

Hi there,
In the past month or so I've noticed a few new things with Ellie. She has recently begun to take longer than usual to stand up from laying down and seems really stiff. She has also been having a hard time jumping up on our bed and looks like she's questioning whether or not she can go up the stairs or jump in the back of our car. Like I said, this is fairly new. I'm wondering if the cold weather has been taking a toll on her. She did have some sort of injury this summer that we had checked out by the vet, but she seemed fine for the rest of the summer and into the fall. She also used to love the snow, but doesn't seem to want to go out too much. Should I be worried or is this normal older pup stuff (she's 10-1/2). We give her glucosamine supplements daily and she eats TOTW fish formula. Suggestions on anything we can do to make her more comfortable would be appreciated. She was just at the vet for a thorough checkup and for her senior bloodwork (everything looked good).
Thanks!

rjvamp · 12-20-2009, 05:55 PM

Does the supplements also have MSM in it? that is supposed to really be the part that is lacking in a lot of the joint pills.

It can be harder on older dogs during the winter months.

Have you tried a heating pad?

doggiedad · 12-20-2009, 06:00 PM

sounds like your dog is gracefully getting old. don't let her jump on things. take her to the Vet.

blord · 12-20-2009, 06:09 PM

Yes, they have MSM in them. I have not tried a heating pad. Problem is that she lays in different spots all the time! Maybe if I put it on her actual bed she would notice and go to lay there more. This is what we are using for glucosamine (we give her the maintenence dose now):

http://www.petmedstore.com/Merchant2...DSwithMSM120ct

Again, thanks for the help. I hate to see her in any pain!

rjvamp · 12-20-2009, 06:12 PM

Your welcome! I would also see the doctor as well and he or she may recommend upping the dosage or maybe even a pain pill like Tramadol or Metacam for arthritic pain, depending on your dogs diagnosis. Tramadol can be addicting...also used in humans. Metacam is something we ended up giving Lobo with the Tramadol and that helped too. He wasn't on it all the time though - summer wasn't as bad for him.

We had used Dasquin brands....I tried the later product that had Avacado in it - but he did better on the original. I don't know anything about that one - but the ingredients look good :-)

BowWowMeow · 12-20-2009, 06:17 PM

I use Springtime Inc. Longevity and for the older dogs or dogs with joint problems I double or triple the dose. Sounds like she definitely needs more. Ester C is also an excellent anti-inflammatory. I give 2000mg/day but work up to it gradually b/c if you go to quickly it can cause diarrhea. At night I also gave Chama a supplement from Only Natural Pet called "Get Up and Go." I also had orthopedic beds in different rooms as well as a water bed for her.

AngelJ · 12-20-2009, 06:28 PM

My Bailey will be 13 this month and is a little slow getting up and around. He has arthritis in her elbows and right knee. We give her Glyco flex 111 and she is now getting adequan injections. In the cold weather she really likes to have this on top of her bed upstairs. She also has on in the family room.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...63&pcatid=3363

I don't like using things that plug in with my dogs so this is a good alternative and she loves it. It does a great job of keeping her warm.

debbiebrown · 12-20-2009, 08:46 PM

i agree with the Adaquan injections this help my seniors alot...

blord · 12-20-2009, 09:04 PM

How often do they get the injections? I will get he another bed for upstairs, but I do think she prefers to lay on the floor for some reason. We've tried all different kinds of beds and she still lays on the floor most of the time. I wonder why? Our vet recommends Dasquin, but I had heard that it's not worth the money and that it was one of those things that vets push (like Science Diet, etc) so we've been using what they recommended to us at the pet store (not that they know any better, right?). I guess that's why I'm asking you guys!

I'm guessing that it would be fine to double up on the stuff we have until it's gone (probably 2 weeks worth) and see how that goes for now. There must be somewhere on here where people discuss the different joint supplements? I searched, but didn't find anything. Must have done it wrong. This place is so helpful!

LJsMom · 12-21-2009, 06:14 AM

Dasquin worked wonders for my Wooly Bear.

12-20-2009, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
blord Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 259	Difficulty getting up Hi there, In the past month or so I've noticed a few new things with Ellie. She has recently begun to take longer than usual to stand up from laying down and seems really stiff. She has also been having a hard time jumping up on our bed and looks like she's questioning whether or not she can go up the stairs or jump in the back of our car. Like I said, this is fairly new. I'm wondering if the cold weather has been taking a toll on her. She did have some sort of injury this summer that we had checked out by the vet, but she seemed fine for the rest of the summer and into the fall. She also used to love the snow, but doesn't seem to want to go out too much. Should I be worried or is this normal older pup stuff (she's 10-1/2). We give her glucosamine supplements daily and she eats TOTW fish formula. Suggestions on anything we can do to make her more comfortable would be appreciated. She was just at the vet for a thorough checkup and for her senior bloodwork (everything looked good). Thanks!

12-20-2009, 05:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
rjvamp Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,248	Re: Difficulty getting up Does the supplements also have MSM in it? that is supposed to really be the part that is lacking in a lot of the joint pills. It can be harder on older dogs during the winter months. Have you tried a heating pad?

12-20-2009, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,853	Re: Difficulty getting up sounds like your dog is gracefully getting old. don't let her jump on things. take her to the Vet. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

12-20-2009, 06:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
blord Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 259	Re: Difficulty getting up Yes, they have MSM in them. I have not tried a heating pad. Problem is that she lays in different spots all the time! Maybe if I put it on her actual bed she would notice and go to lay there more. This is what we are using for glucosamine (we give her the maintenence dose now): http://www.petmedstore.com/Merchant2...DSwithMSM120ct Again, thanks for the help. I hate to see her in any pain!

12-20-2009, 06:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
rjvamp Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,248	Re: Difficulty getting up Your welcome! I would also see the doctor as well and he or she may recommend upping the dosage or maybe even a pain pill like Tramadol or Metacam for arthritic pain, depending on your dogs diagnosis. Tramadol can be addicting...also used in humans. Metacam is something we ended up giving Lobo with the Tramadol and that helped too. He wasn't on it all the time though - summer wasn't as bad for him. We had used Dasquin brands....I tried the later product that had Avacado in it - but he did better on the original. I don't know anything about that one - but the ingredients look good :-)

12-20-2009, 06:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Re: Difficulty getting up I use Springtime Inc. Longevity and for the older dogs or dogs with joint problems I double or triple the dose. Sounds like she definitely needs more. Ester C is also an excellent anti-inflammatory. I give 2000mg/day but work up to it gradually b/c if you go to quickly it can cause diarrhea. At night I also gave Chama a supplement from Only Natural Pet called "Get Up and Go." I also had orthopedic beds in different rooms as well as a water bed for her. __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

12-20-2009, 06:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
AngelJ Master Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 895	Re: Difficulty getting up My Bailey will be 13 this month and is a little slow getting up and around. He has arthritis in her elbows and right knee. We give her Glyco flex 111 and she is now getting adequan injections. In the cold weather she really likes to have this on top of her bed upstairs. She also has on in the family room. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...63&pcatid=3363 I don't like using things that plug in with my dogs so this is a good alternative and she loves it. It does a great job of keeping her warm. __________________ Angel-proud mom of... Ella-GSD-9 months old Hero-GSD-9-ish years Jake -GSD-5 years Bailey and Gus-GSDs-always in my heart

12-20-2009, 08:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
debbiebrown Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: maine Posts: 7,599	Re: Difficulty getting up i agree with the Adaquan injections this help my seniors alot... __________________ url

12-20-2009, 09:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
blord Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 259	Re: Difficulty getting up How often do they get the injections? I will get he another bed for upstairs, but I do think she prefers to lay on the floor for some reason. We've tried all different kinds of beds and she still lays on the floor most of the time. I wonder why? Our vet recommends Dasquin, but I had heard that it's not worth the money and that it was one of those things that vets push (like Science Diet, etc) so we've been using what they recommended to us at the pet store (not that they know any better, right?). I guess that's why I'm asking you guys! I'm guessing that it would be fine to double up on the stuff we have until it's gone (probably 2 weeks worth) and see how that goes for now. There must be somewhere on here where people discuss the different joint supplements? I searched, but didn't find anything. Must have done it wrong. This place is so helpful!

12-21-2009, 06:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
LJsMom Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: RI Posts: 2,246	Re: Difficulty getting up Dasquin worked wonders for my Wooly Bear. __________________ Joanne Kryska's Ironwill Steel Train SD (Siberian Husky) Mila (GSD) Adopted from BDBH. Waiting at the bridge: Lady Jane Cobb (GSD - age 15) Sasha (Siberian Husky - age 13) Niko (Siberian Husky - age 14) Wooly Bear (Siberian Husky - age 13)

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