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Tuesday: 9-10 PM ET: Open Dog Chat - Pet Loss
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Posted by PHDrTobin on February 24, 2003 at 14:55:43:
In Reply to: LOTS you can do for your dog! posted by muttz on February 20, 2003 at 20:48:14:
:Now, I'm not a vet.
:However, I am an owner of a dog living with spondylosis and experiencing different vet opinions. There is soooo much you can do to improve your dog's condition.
:1. Consult a good holistic or homeopathic vet. I went the homeopathic route and have found the remedies have worked a treat. My dog only had early signs at diagnosis - and my second vet (first one sounds a bit like yours) said not only could we stop the spondylosis getting worse, and manage pain, but that there was a possibility that his body could also repair the spurs formed. The advice she gave me on diet/exercise etc and follow up help has been BRILLIANT. I shelled out and went for a good homeopathic vet - I really really recommend it.
:2. Diet - I followed the advice of the vet and other people (including from a forum) who said GO RAW. I have and have never looked back. At first he wasn't sure about those pulverised vegies - but now he loves his food!
:3. Diet supplements - A good multi-vitamin is essential (I use Missing Link which was recommended to me). I have also started using Sasha's Blend. Its got chrondroiton (I've spelt that wrong!) and Glucosome in it - all natural marine extract stuff. You can read about it at http://www.sashasblend.com.au/. As you probably know from post below - I was worried at first because there was a dramatic difference in my dog - he was bounding around the place like a puppy and I was worried he'd hurt himself! But I think the stuff is brilliant - he has his happy gleam back in his eye.
:4. Exercise. Both vets recommended a period of rest. I gradually got my dog walking again ... I took him to places that were interesting and spend a short time walking - rather than a walk around the block. However, my dog is young and energetic - so I had to restrict his exercise. Moderate and regular exercise is the key.
:5. Maintain a good weight. I've kept my dog's weight pretty regular. Changing diets and exercise routines is a bit difficult - so I regularly went to the vet's and weighed him. Oooh.. if you change to raw food - visit the raw food forum - there is a link to a great spreadsheet telling you what amounts to feed etc!
:I've also been reading Linda Tellington-Jone's and TTouch.. I think that might hold some answers to.
:But there is so much you can do for your dog. My dog is back in obedience class (albeit for short spells at a time) and really seems back to his normal self. I have to be careful not to let him overdo it - but he really seems to be pain free and that is so important to me.
:Please, see another vet, one who has a big bag of tools (i.e., holistic or homeopathic). And look at supplements... sashas blend might not be the one for you - there are lots of others around!
:good luck and if you have any questions ask away. Some people on another forum really helped me when my boy was first diagnosed.
:
You titled your message Spondylosis, but didn't mention spondylosis in the body of your message. The fact that your dog is a german shepherd makes me suspect degenerative myelopathy, even more so when your vet says there is nothing that can be done. This is an ascending auto-immune disease which attacks the spinal cord from the tail end. Take the previous respondent's advice and bring your dog to a homeopathic veterinarian, put the dog on a raw food diet, and don't give any more vaccinations. You might be able to slow down the progression by feeding raw brain, or by giving Standard Process Neurotrophin PMG, but your best bet would still be homeopathic treatment.