Do we have a DU Group for pets? If not should we?

[NNN0LHI]

If there is anything we can just about all agree on is our love for our pets. I know mine sure mean a lot to me.

The reason I was looking for one is that I have an older female Keeshond dog. One of these:



And to make a long story short she is a straight legged dog. She doesn't have the angled rear legs like a dog should have, or the proverbial "dog leg" as some call it. It is a genetic defect that led to her needing surgery when one of her knees "went out" when she was still a puppy. The medical term is Cranial Cruciate Ligament surgery.

After the first surgery the surgeon told us the other knee would probably also need surgery later on due to the defect. Luckily she has not needed it so far and now that she is going on ten years old she will never have it. At this age I would not put her through it. If it went out we would have her put to sleep. It was hard to write that. But I am being realistic about things.

She started needing pain medication several years ago probably due to arthritis in that leg. Usually the cold and damp weather like we are experiencing now would make her limp on that leg and we had to began giving her Previcox chewable tabs which she responded to very well. But I realize there are side effects to any drug so I checked into other ways to alleviate her pain.

My vet suggested Fish Oil Dietary Supplement so I started her on that back in summer and waited to see how she would do this fall when it became cold and damp. The same kind you can get at any Walgreen's or anywhere. Cheap too. I just give her one 1000 mg Softgel with her breakfast.

The difference has been nothing short of amazing. I haven't had to give her any of the Previcox so far this year. With the weather we are experiencing I would have had to needed to give her the prescription pain killer ever day for the past month or more I know for sure.

Her all around health seems a lot better also.

I don't know if every dog would respond this well for similar problems as my girl did but it sure is worth a try.

If the Mod want to move this somewhere else no problem. I just wasn't sure where to put it?

Hope this info can help someone and their four legged friends.

Don

[johnaries]

1. A group for pets? Well, my dog doesn't type very well. nt

[MH1]

2. Here ya go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

[NNN0LHI]

3. Damn, and I swear I looked too

Thank you very much.

Don

[joanski0]

5. Well, I'm glad you found it quickly. n/t

[virgogal]

4. Thanks so much for the fish oil info----one of my grand-dogs is

in a wee bit of trouble and I will pass that info along.

[Justitia]

6. Love our Pets Group - the pics are priceless! Thanks for yours, she's a beauty.

Our Pets Group threads & pics are good for my sanity & blood pressure most days.

[maglatinavi]

7. dog duers

Thank for the info. My faithful companion (adopted terrier mix) does ok, but onne in a while one of her legs cramps and she cries and runs to me. I massage the leg and she is ok. I think I'll give her the fish oil as preventive action.
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