I'm really worried about Mina. She seemed fine when I came home today but now she is showing evidence of hind-end lameness. She seems uncomfortable and she cannot jump on the bed. When I put her on the bed, she immediately wanted to get down and she collapsed on her hind end when she tried. She also had some difficulty pooping, so I'm not sure if it's a digestive issue or a rear-leg/hip issue. Her back is hunched, which even when she's had front-leg limping and pain, has never happened.
ETA: Her rear muscles in for sure her right rear leg are all twitchy. Both rear legs are trembling. Her tail is almost tucked but not quite. She cannot seem to find a position that is comfortable, getting up and down, moving around.
ETA2: I tried massaging the right rear leg. I can't tell if it's swollen or what. It doesn't feel hot. Mina didn't really like it when I massaged it, which is unusual. I really wish she was more open with her pain behaviors; the only hint I get that she's in pain is she stills when I massage her leg and she doesn't relax her head like when I usually massage. She's also super restless. I've had muscle spasms before and they're both painful and annoying. I'm hoping she just pulled a muscle or something and that's the problem.
I hate this.
ETA 3: Muscle spasms gone after some intense massaging with some lavender essential oil and lotion. We'll see how she feels in the morning. Definitely going to have to invest in a ramp.
What do you folks do for older dogs with muscle/joint weakness? Any supplements other than glucosamine, et. al.?
ETA: Her rear muscles in for sure her right rear leg are all twitchy. Both rear legs are trembling. Her tail is almost tucked but not quite. She cannot seem to find a position that is comfortable, getting up and down, moving around.
ETA2: I tried massaging the right rear leg. I can't tell if it's swollen or what. It doesn't feel hot. Mina didn't really like it when I massaged it, which is unusual. I really wish she was more open with her pain behaviors; the only hint I get that she's in pain is she stills when I massage her leg and she doesn't relax her head like when I usually massage. She's also super restless. I've had muscle spasms before and they're both painful and annoying. I'm hoping she just pulled a muscle or something and that's the problem.
I hate this.
ETA 3: Muscle spasms gone after some intense massaging with some lavender essential oil and lotion. We'll see how she feels in the morning. Definitely going to have to invest in a ramp.
What do you folks do for older dogs with muscle/joint weakness? Any supplements other than glucosamine, et. al.?
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What do you think that means? If you want to call me, go for it. I can also make a late night visit (with cookies) if you need company.
I'm going to massage her leg and just hang with her until she is more comfortable. She keeps lying down on my side of the bed which is a little unusual for her.
You are such an awesome friend, seriously. I think we'll be fine; it's not an emergency, it was just one of those moments when I was painfully reminded that she is nearly 11 and, shit, she doesn't have forever. And mainly it's seeing her in distress that's so hard - she's a seriously stoic dog and her "distress" is just general restlessness, heavy sighs and looking pathetic. Sometimes I just wish she'd let out a big whimper and then bite me when I palpate her leg. (It's what Celeste would do, heh).
Blergh.
After some deep tissue massage (or what I imagine would be deep tissue massage, heh) the twitching has stopped. It's probably still sore if it's similar to human muscle spasms that are prolonged.
I really should have taken some Barack-y-road home with me! Instead I'm staying up WAAAAAY past my bed-time and reading a book about sex and science. :)
*You're staying over, right?
What book are you reading? I like the subject very much. *is a dork*
The book is called Bonk by Mary Roach. I've read her first two books. I love her sense of humor but there's a lot of animal research shit in the first two books that are just DISTURBING. There appears to be a lot less of that in this one. Yay.
Poor Chye, it does not seem like an enjoyable thing to endure.
hope she feels better...
I pretty much did exactly what you already mentioned, plus upped her calcium intake a little. It seemed to help, and she still demands her LONG walks.
hope she feels better in the morning.
someone else mentioned chiro, but i've also heard good things about acupuncture for this kind of thing.
i hope she's feeling better this morning. from what you wrote initially it makes me worry a little bit about it being a back thing.
tl;dr... I don't think that what I've successfully used would help Miss Mina.
I've heard a lot of good things about acupuncture and acupressure, the latter of which you can do yourself at home any time.
I hope this is a temporary setback in the glorious life of Mina, and that she is feeling much better very fast.