There has been so much snow and ice here lately that poor Falkor is just having a terrible time with his arthritis. I'm supposed to keep him exercising, but it's so hard when there is nowhere for me to walk him without him straining or slipping.

I spoke to the vet earlier on, and he said to increase Falkor's glucosamine, and to keep his walks very short for a while. Especially now, with another blizzard rolling in. Apparently many people have been phoning the vet with doggies who have worse arthritis now due to the weather.

Hello dear Steph
I am so sorry that the dreadful weather is causing your dear Falkor to have difficulty with his exercising and making his arthritis worse.

Do keep going with the glucosamine though ... I know it takes a good while to feel the benefit ... but it makes such a real difference in the long run.

I took it myself 3 years ago. I began taking it and felt no different for the first 2 to 3 months and was almost on the point of giving up.

Then suddenly I woke up one morning and all my pain had gone. I was completely free of the arthritis that had plagued me very badly for years causing me to walk with a stick. I had it in every joint but especially my hips knees and feet. It disappeared completely with the glucosamine and has never returned.

I hope so much that your darling Falkor has the same outcome.

with love
jilly

Thanks Jilly,

I have started on glucosamine myself. Falkor has been on it since November, and was doing quite well (he had previously reacted to a non-steroidal anit-inflammatory). The vet said that if I increased the dose for now, during the bad weather it just might do the trick.

Falkor is so sweet. He doesn't let it get him down. He just came over to me and wanted to play. He lies down and tries to grab his toys with his mouth or front paws. I have to try and not let him "catch the toy". Once he "catches" the toy he wags his tail like crazy and starts singing. It's so cute.

Dear Steph,
Maybe you could walk little Falkor around the inside of your house. You know walk from the kitchen to the bathroom and bedroom, the kitchen and stuff like that. Have him play with some toys with you to keep him moving. Keep giving him his glucosamine. Soon this bad weather will be gone and maybe he will get better. I used to rub Snookie's back and legs all the time as her arthritis was so bad at times. She had a very hard time standing up in the mornings. Jilly I am glad it worked for you too. I think I will try it for myself since I have arthritis so bad too.
Love, Ann

Steph,

Kasha had terrible arthritis in her back legs for years and it was always worse in the winter for her. I did my best to keep her moving but she was a stubborn, lazy old cat and really just preferred to lie on her back in the sun all day. I found a local cat hospital that hosted "play groups" (of sorts....) and started taking her there in the winter. They had "trees" to climb and cat houses to run around in with lots of scratching posts and toys everywhere, it was wonderful. You could rent the rooms by the hour and everyone had to prove that the cats shots were up-to-date before each visit (they never socialized the cats with eachother and the owners were required to stay with them at all times) so it was a safe environment for them. It was pretty pricey, as you might imagine, but I've heard of indoor parks for dogs and they seem to be a little more reasonable. I know of one place just outside of Windsor (Ontario) that has indoor flyball and agility training rings that can be used for play (when they aren't booked) giving the dogs a good amount of space to run and play without having to worry about the snow and ice. A lot of people take their elderly dogs there in the winter for exercise when it's too cold outside for them.

Just an idea......

Kristie

Thanks Kristie, it WOULD be a great idea, but Falkor isn't the only cripple: I'm unable to drive due to a medical condtion, and I could never get him onto a bus. He and I are a great pair eh

Oh well, we've been having fun playing indoors. The snow is persising though, and cabin fever is starting to hit us. It can't go on for too much longer can it...

I certainly hope not Steph! I've got about two feet of snow in my backyard right now and I don't want any more!!!

If I could, I would pick you guys up and take you myself (I have a nice big truck)

Take care and stay warm....it HAS to end soon!

Kristie

Thanks Kristie!

And guess what? More snow in the forecast. Will my boy ever be able to walk without slipping and sliding again?

The funny thing is that he LIKES snow, but he just can't walk in the deep snow, and ice really gives him grief. His favourite season is late fall. He hates the heat and smog of the summer, and he can't deal well with ice and lots of snow.

My 13 year old Golden Retreiver is having issues with her arthritis in her hips. She fell down the stairs the other day and couldn't get up. I had to give her her meds ( we give it to her wrapped in cheese she loves that)


I know how you feel. Dang arthritis....