Well, we enjoyed our reprieve but my sweet old girl is looking limp these days.

She's just not herself. The medication (a cortisone) is making her have to relieve herself much more often than usual and most distressing, with little or no fair warning. She's mortified.

Despite the fact that I've just had my hardwood floors redone, I care little about the actual event, it cleans up easily but am broken hearted to see her so distressed about it.

She's been snappish with the others and less responsive than usual with me. I know she can't hear so I approach her gently and invite her to interact. She just sort of stares at me.

It's hard to know what's happening. She does not seem to be in real pain. We've tried a number of pain meds for arthritis with disasterous results, including one that gave her companion relief for a number of years. We were told that baby aspirin (coated) helps by her vet and have been dosing her daily.

Any homeopathic remedies? Words of wisdom? Suggestions? Any and all would be appreciated,

Thanks, Sharon

I have no words of wisdom, but I just want you to know you and your baby are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm going through an awful time myself. I just hate it!

Have you thought about Reiki at all? It can be very good for cases of arthritis. I have known humans and animals who have had really good results, I have a friend who has arthritis in his shoulder and he said it was the only thing that worked for him despite trying numerous other things.

I have recently been speaking to a lot of Reiki practioners who have told me of some outstanding results but also told me that while they are giving Reiki the communication channels are open and it naturally comes flooding in, so is very useful in finding out all about the aches and pains they may be suffering. Again I guess it depends if you believe the communication process or not, or indeed your viewpoints of Reiki.

I was told that most of the animals that they treat absolutely love having their Reiki sessions not only from the relief and relaxation that it brings but also having the opportunity of being able to 'discuss' the management of their ailments is a great comfort to them too.

Even if you don't actually believe in the communication aspect I certainly would not dismiss Reiki without looking into the benefits first, or at least try speaking to a few people who have gone down this route and find out, if or how beneficial it has been for them and then decide.

As for homeopathic remedies it is a huge complex subject and can only advise you to consult a registered practioner for advise and the right course of treatment. Other than that have you looked at Bach Flower Remedies at all? Again can be very effective in the management of Arthritic conditions.

I personally would not be happy to administer Aspirin as a long term solution, and would seriously ask you to look up the pros and cons of using this as such. Also have a look at www.enotalone.com/article/9657.html and then perhaps google Aspirin/acid/arthritis to see if you want to continue with this arrangement as there appears to be some conflict in this area due to the acid levels.

This is just some suggestions to look at, and hope you find a suitable way forward.

Dear Zookeeper, you asked for words of wisdom and I have none for you because I don't think I handled my own Yukon's passing with any wisdom at all. I can only tell you how not to do it. My dear cat was always a very proud, I encouraged him to think he was the most beautiful and the most noble of all creatures and he soon fell for it. When illness brought him lameness and failing eyesight he became very withdrawn, I don't know which was the worst for him, pain, pride or grief for his just passed brother. Definitely he was no longer the same cat as before. He would just lay quiet, his eyes were blank, he was very distant, I could tell he had enormous pain of some kind or of many kinds, physical or emotional, and of this emotional state I could not tell if it was the shock of losing his brother or the shock of seeing his own condition deteriorate, or both. Whatever I did, nothing would help. He didn't seem to care for me to pet him or hold him, rather he moved away from me but meowed at me all the time, asking me things I couldn't understand or couldn't give. I am sure that I wasn't myself either because I too was grieving his brother, I felt crushed by his sudden departure and how I had not realized how sick he was. I kept looking at my poor Yukon and I prayed non stop that I would make the right decision for him. Each time it seemed that the best 'answer' was that his life was now too difficult,the good times were over, he would no longer enjoy life and his time had come. I made the pts appointment 4 days ahead, to make sure I could change my mind, but all the time it seemed like this was the most kind and logical solution. However, when he realized I was taking him to the vet for the last time, his lethargy changed to fear and then a sort of resignated anger at me and my dh, it was the worst thing, and I so hated how we were like zombies once we
took this path, how we continued where logically we should have yelled stop, scooped him up and run back home with him! he didn't want this, even if he thought he did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I really regretted trying to put him out of his misery and wish I would have been able to stand his agony for longer because no matter what the outcome, even if he would have deteriorated it would have been a better choice because he would have gone knowing that I could allow him patience and I could suffer this way rather than my stupid 'do something!'way where something must be done because really I am the one who can't stand the situation, even more than him. About a month ago, you wrote If you see that things become so bad that you must decide for her, see if you can get your vet to come to your home and put her to sleep, no matter how used they are to visit the clinic, they will know from your beating heart that this is 'the' visit and this is something I would love to be able to re-do otherwise.
It is very hard to just let it be. But I wish I had. Hugs and much love

Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear your baby isn't doing well. I don't know of any prescribed medications for arthritise that don't have side effects. It seems most aren't to gentle on the stomach and some have serious side effects. Like kidney and bowel irregularity. But I do know that when Maxes hips were exceptionly hurting him after his x-rays I soaked a towel in a bucket of hot water and laid the damp towel on his hips flipping it over and rubbing him with it. It really seemed to work because while I was doing it he would stop crying. It's not a permited fix but it does soothe the pain for at least a short time. You were saying how your baby wasn't interacting with you and being snapish. When I put the towel on Maxes hip I would pet him under his chin with my other hand and he would lick it briefly. I felt like he was thanking me, like he understood that I was trying to help him, or that I was grooming him or something. It was a bonding moment and even thou he didn't interact with me much, I felt that he felt comforted at knowing that I was interacting with him in a loving caring way. I continued to do this for him though out his sickness. If you haven't tried this yet with your baby I hope that you will because it does ease the pain a little. I think that it will also give you both some comfort and a bonding experience. Take care and please keep us posted on how your sweet girl is doing. Your friend K9pal

Thanks All for your great suggestions.

K9pal, I love the idea of the warm towels/massage. I'm definitly going to do that. Every so often lately, I still invite her to be brushed, even when she doesn't need it! She does love it. I know what you mean about Max thanking you b/c she sort of adjusts herself so that I can get her where she wants it. I know how much that close gentle attention means.

Toonie, I'm so sorry that Yukon's end was so. I know how you feel but we can only do our best, and from what I've heard from you here, I know that you made your decisions out of love and kindness. And I agree with you about having the vet come to us. I've not been able to convince the vet to do that but our compromise with Milo was that we gave him a sedative about an hour before he went and he fell asleep on his bed. He never woke up. As sad as it was, it was also a joy to be with him, all of us - he got to have a very loving send off.

EM, I'm actually a huge fan of Reiki, I'm level 1. I've used it with my pets (and my daughter!) for five or six years now. I will call my friend Sarah though and have her come and work with Nori in the next few days for more intensive attention from a Master. That's a great suggestion. I love the bonding that happens in addition to the healing and relief. (Maybe a dialogue about the benefits would be good). I have had nothing but the most positive experiences, both myself and with our dogs and cats. I mean almost hard to believe, too good to be true sort of thing.

And boogie3, thanks always for your kind thoughts and prayers. This boat we're in, huh?

I know the aspirin is problematic but seems for her less debilitating than the prescription meds we've tried. We had some frightening issues crop up with Derramax and not much more luck w/ two others. Your message was well taken though. I'm going to look into the flower remedies, thanks for that tip. I wish I knew of a good practioner in the area but can probably research possibilities myself and work with my vet.

Finally, has anyone had any experience with valarian root for anxiety? There seems to be more holistic remedies for pain, or at least do%%entation of it's effectiveness.

Sharon

Sharon, I haven't seen you on the site lately is everything O.k with your furbaby? k9pal

She's doing okay. Not great but I'll take it . We've just had a busy few days. Is everything okay w/ you? I read your post about letting go of the blame and truly agree with you. The things that make us human are so infuriating sometimes. What we do to ourselves and each other, right?

Be well, friend,
Sharon