Pepper, my SD, does not have hip problems, but he has disk problems in the back. We have tried several variations of medicine and what has worked best for him has been a combination of a steroid to strengthen the muscles, a pain med for pain, and a muscle relaxer/anti-inflammatory med. He takes these only as needed, not daily. However, he has gotten worse lately and is loosing the ability to control his left hind leg. He will be walking and it just gives way on him and he falls.
I went through a similar thing with Joe. Joe was my SD before Pepper. He had a stroke that caused his front legs to draw toward his chest. IT got progressively worse over time to the point that he would crawl a short distance, but I had to carry him just about anywhere he needed to go. His chest literally never left the floor because he had to legs to hold him up as they were drawn in. Many people told me I was cruel for not having him PTS. But he was NOT in any pain at all. Pepper has more pain than Joe ever did. Joes biggest issue other than walking was breathing probs which were treated with a brochadialator. But the way I looked at it, he took good care of me for 10 years as an SD, it was my honor to take care of him during the last years of his life. He lived to be 15. Marsha Do not tell God how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is. ----- Original Message ----- From: Sheila To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 8:21 AM Subject: [Chihuahuas] Hip Problems My oldest male chihuahua is 12 years old,his hip and back legs have started to waddle when he walks,some days he can hardly get around,I give him a joint supplement once a day and 1/2 baby aspirin also.He is still eating and drinking good,has anyone experience this problem and is there anything else I can do beside surgery which my husband would never agree to.I will not think about putting him down unless it is the only thing I can do and when he gets to where he can't walk.I do not believe he is in pain.I would appreciate any and all advice.
