Bone Loss and Limping

• 07-27-2007 10:23 AM

  walking lady Joined on 07-12-2007 Posts 191 Points 0

  Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact My 9 1/2 year old grey started limping slightly about a month ago.  I knew he had very slight arthritis in his right shoulder years ago so that's what I thought it was.  I upped his glucosamine chondroitin to 1500 mg daily, plus 400 mg of Devils' Claw and took him to the vet.   His leg was x-rayed, he had chiro and acupuncture, followed by another treatment a week later when there was no improvement.  At that time he was also put on Metacam and his leg was iced 3 times daily.  Again, no improvement.  He had another treatment last week but now he's getting much worse.   He went to the vet yesterday, had another exam and she decided to x-ray his neck.  All of his neck bones have lost so much calcium you can see through the bone on the x-ray.  The x-ray of his leg shows the bones as white.    Now I'm pretty terrified.  His x-rays have been sent off to a specialist and his vet really wouldn't commit herself to saying anything until she's heard back from them.    Does anyone know anything about a prognosis?  Anyone had a similar situation in a dog?  Thanks. [image]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5e50477ef63ae4cdeb62570d23601ebe/e89ec0aa.jpg[/image]

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• 07-27-2007 10:42 AM

  In reply to walking lady

  agilebasenji Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 2,387 Points 200	RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact That sounds really scary!  I have no idea about it, but I'll keep you and your hounds in my thoughts.
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• 07-27-2007 5:27 PM

  In reply to walking lady

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330

  RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact walking lady: All of his neck bones have lost so much calcium you can see through the bone on the x-ray. This is called osteoporosis (loss of calcium in the bones) and there have been great advances in the past 10 years in treating this problem in humans.  Dogs are often used in such research.   I will keep my fingers crossed that the problem can be reversed.  [sm=crossfingers.gif]   Good digestion helps to obtain all the nutrients needed for bone health.  For an older dog like this I would consider a digestive aid like one of the Bertes Blends: Bertes Digestion Blend (http://b-naturals.com/product_info.php?products_id=142&PHPSESSID=ab36db18d2cf20de4a6be6565b6b7da3) Bertes Immune Blend (http://b-naturals.com/default.php?cPath=57&PHPSESSID=ab36db18d2cf20de4a6be6565b6b7da3) http://www.betterbones.com/bbbb_program/step_one.htm BetterBones.com: In addition to calcium, there are at least 17 other essential nutrients needed for healthy bones. The most important minerals are these: magnesium, zinc, manganese, boron, silicon, copper and phosphorus.  <snip>  The most important bone-building vitamins are D, C, A, B6, K, folic acid and pantothenic acid.

  Filed under: digestive aids Post Points: 0

• 07-27-2007 8:45 PM

  In reply to walking lady

  jessies_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Indiana Posts 4,194 Points 40	RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact   I'll be sending healing thoughts and prayers for your dog too; keep us updated. Life isn't about waiting through the storm; it's about learning to dance in the rain. Janice
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• 08-07-2007 8:11 PM

  In reply to walking lady

  walking lady Joined on 07-12-2007 Posts 191 Points 0

  RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact Here's an update on Tom.  His x-rays went to a specialist who said the neck bones are not a concern - what looks like lack of calcium was shadow on x-rays.   However, he's got compressed discs, some narrowing, and the specialist believes it may be affecting the spinal column which doesn't show up in x-rays.  He also said his feet should be x-rayed (getting done tomorrow) because he's seen lots of greyhounds who actually raced who have serious problems with the bones in their feet.    So for now, we're going to continue with acupuncture and chiro, plus limited exercise and, of course, no running.  If that doesn't do it, likely the only option is to send him to the specialist so he can x-ray after injecting him with dye, then surgery.   And that's not a good option for my guy who's almost 10.  So, his treatments, plus his glucosamine chondroitin and Devils' Claw are going to work!! [image]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5e50477ef63ae4cdeb62570d23601ebe/e89ec0aa.jpg[/image]

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• 08-07-2007 8:38 PM

  In reply to walking lady

  jessies_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Indiana Posts 4,194 Points 40	RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact And that's not a good option for my guy who's almost 10. So, his treatments, plus his glucosamine chondroitin and Devils' Claw are going to work!!      [sm=wink2.gif] Life isn't about waiting through the storm; it's about learning to dance in the rain. Janice
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• 08-07-2007 10:18 PM

  In reply to walking lady

  Cally01 Joined on 09-10-2006 Posts 491 Points 0

  RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact What kind of food are you feeding?  Raw with lots of cartlidge is really fantastic for any dog with orthopedic diseases.   Also, you mention you give glucosamine, I make sure that my glucosamine contains MSM, Chondoitin and I also give vitamin C...most times I try to give it naturally through organic berries such as blackberries, blueberries or raspberries...I mix these with their organic plain yogurt with ground flax seed on top.  I give my dogs Nutri Aid which is a horse glucosamine supplement which I have had great success with.  Our 11 year old Newf that went through ACL surgery when she was about 5 has never developed any arthritis in her senior years.   Also, I make sure my dogs get fish body oil daily and Vitamin E.  I do acupressure from home, I bought the book the holistic dog that has all a diagram of all the pressure points on it.   Good luck

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• 08-08-2007 11:35 AM

  In reply to walking lady

  walking lady Joined on 07-12-2007 Posts 191 Points 0

  RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact Cally01 - thank you so much for all your suggestions.   I feed my guys Innova large breed.  As well, they get the occasional raw bone to chew on.  Tom's already getting salmon oil, his glucosamine chondroitin doesn't have MSM (I just checked), he gets yogurt with berries, and I'll check to see how much vitamin E his vet recommends.   I'm curious as to the difference in the Nutri Aid that makes it more beneficial.  I can check it out next time I buy dog food - it's also a horse supply store.    Anyway, thanks for your help.  Oh, I love your photos, especially Cassie.  Many, many years ago I had a newfie who was the sweetest guy you could imagine. [image]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5e50477ef63ae4cdeb62570d23601ebe/e89ec0aa.jpg[/image]

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• 08-10-2007 2:22 PM

  In reply to walking lady

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330	RE: Bone Loss and Limping Reply Contact Plain Knox NutraJoint Gelatine (grocery store - Jello isle) is another good supplement.  Gelatine provides the building blocks for collagen - the chief structural protein in cartilage and bone. http://www.knox.com/nutrajoint_Gel.asp
  	Filed under: arthritis, Knox NutraJoint Gelatine Post Points: 0