11 yr old stiffness

[SheltieSmile]

The past two months my 11 yr old sheltie can barely move. He has been sleeping a lot and struggles just walking around the room. He was a rescue and when we got him he had been attacked by another dog and had pemanant damage in his back legs. Therefor, all the weight was put on his front two. He was on Rimadyl for a month that sent him into almost liver failier. And in April he suffered a major seizure that he didnt come out of without a phenobarb load, which sent him into acute liver trama. I have him on a joint suplement but he is getting worse. Any suggestions on things I can do at home to make him feel better. I read in a post about sleeping on an electric blanket. Any ideals to help him. Its beaking my heart.....

 

[dawns2shelties]

A friend of mine is doing some type of laser therapy for her dog's arthritis you may want to look into that or acupunture. I'm sorry your pup is not feeling well.

 

[corbinam]

I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't. I will just add my thoughts and prayers to you and your sheltie. I hope you find some answers to help him soon.

 

[Caro]

Is it mostly his joints or muscles that are the problem? If its a joint problem your vet can give an injection that helps build cartlidge and it doesnt have the side effects of anti-inflammatories. My male has joint disease in his elbows and gets injections every 6mths, the results are great. Here is a link to a previous thread about it

http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=9735&highlight=pentosan

Also I listed some of the things I do to help my male with his joints
http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=9845&highlight=pentosan

If the joints are really inflammed a cold compress on the joints will be helpful as well. A heated bed is good for overall aches and pains and generally for joints. Green lipid muscle and Devils claw are good natural anti-inflammatories, fish oil can also help lubricate the joints.