My dog jumped up on the couch while we were out shopping last night. You might think, don't you try to keep your dogs off the couch? But the answer would be no, my standards are pretty low at this point, and if I can keep the cats off the table and most of the kitchen counters, I'm happy. The dogs even have their own couch, a really nice sofa-bed from Altea, in fact. We rarely use it, so they took it over as their own. In fact, I should say we never use it unless we have a party (and yes, we do clean it beforehand, though it's surprisingly still in great shape; go microfibers!), after which the dogs glare at us for letting those people sit on their couch.
Anyway. We have one little Chihuahua who is about 15 years old now. Her back legs started going out on her a few weeks ago, and I was worried the end was near for her. So I took her to our vet for a checkup, and he said that she actually was in great shape for an old dog, all things considered. He started her on pain pills for 10 days and a daily arthritis pill (Arthroflex), and said that we should start seeing improvement. After a few days, she was standing better on her back legs, and lately, she rarely has problems getting up at all. Then last night, when we came home, there she was in her favorite spot: On the couch, barking at us because we'd arrived home (because she can still hear a bit, but she's pretty much gone blind)! I was so thrilled. She's even started trying to climb the stairs. Wow!
The moral of this story is, if your older dog is having trouble walking, don't wait until it gets terrible to start on the arthritis supplements. I actually didn't think they would do that much good, but the improvement is remarkable. Yay!
Good to know. We're getting a Chihuahua, They're 'huge' here in La Fortuna and we can't wait, Hopefully we'll have a bunch of good years before we get to this point... Is 15 years pretty average for their life span, mas o menos?
ReplyDeleteI think that 15 years is pretty old, though Chis can live a long life. My previous two Chis made it to 13 and 12 years (though the one who lived to 12 was a pretty sickly little girl I'd rescued, and it was a brain tumor that finally did her in). In general, little dogs tend to live longer than big dogs -- my black Lab is already really slowing down at 6 years old.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I just have to advocate here for adopting a rescued animal! All of my girls are rescues, so I'm very pro-adopt when it comes to pets! :-) Pets y Mas has an online bulletin board where people often have chis available for adoption, plus there are several rescues in Costa Rica (though I don't know about the Arenal area -- maybe you can fill me in there!). If you can't find an adoptable animal near you, please find a reputable breeder (again Pets y Mas is a great resource in that area). Backyard breeding is a real problem in Costa Rica, where the dogs are often kept in the most disgusting conditions you could imagine. Not to mention that breeding without a license is illegal here, though people do it anyway. Ok, stepping down off my soapbox now...
Good luck with your Chi, they are wonderful, wonderful dogs! Since I first brought my Lucy home almost 18 years ago, I've always had at least one in my life. :-)
Oh and Michael, I didn't mean to sound like *you* were the kind of person who would buy a dog from an illegal backyard breeder! It's just that when I have a chance to get on the "please adopt a rescued animal," I do!
ReplyDeletehaha...no problem, I don't offend easy. Actually, it's coming from a friend. But, I'm with you, and normally I would go the rescue route. Actually, we're in the process of starting the 'Max Project' here in la fortuna,,. get the street dogs spaded and neutered, collars, vet care, food, adopted, that sort of thing....the website will be attached to are already exiting sites....so, don't mind your soapbox, saves me from getting on one...
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! When you get up and running, let me know and I'll put the word out on my end. I actually didn't come to Costa Rica with 9 dogs, so I definitely agree that our poor street doggies could use a helping hand!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it would work for smaller dogs like you have but you know that my mom ALWAYS has had massive dogs, Goldens, Labs, German Shepards and Queensland (who was more fat than anything). They all got Hip Displacia in their old age and the vet said to give them crushed up aspirin in their food at night as well as a Glucosamine supplement. Has your vet mentioned anything like that for your sweet girl (it's Tiny right??)
ReplyDeleteThe Arthroflex supplements she's taking (yes it is Tiny!) has glucosamine and other stuff in it, a lot like people arthritis supplements. It's working really well. He didn't say anything about aspirin, though she doesn't seem to be having much pain anymore now that the pills are having their effect.
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