I swear Risa is falling apart this winter. We finally get her gut in order and everything else seems to crumble.

Today, I really noticed that Risa is having issues with her right knee. It's something I first realized last fall. After very long lure coursing sessions, she seemed to be a bit stiff in her right rear leg. It didn't last more than a couple hours and she was completely fine the next day. I made note of it and moved on since it didn't seem to be bothering her once the coursing season was over.

Fast forward to this winter when I noticed she seemed to be experiencing some joint discomfort. Vet recommended Dasuquin; I recommended tick test. Risa has Lyme disease and we've been treating it for almost a month now.

Her joints seemed to improve on the doxy. I started her on Cosequin Monday because of her age and her activity level. Today, I really noticed her walk was a bit off. Her right rear leg is toeing in somewhat so that she's walking more on the outside of her foot. The outer toenails are scuffed a bit on the top but the innermost one isn't really. I manipulated her leg to see if I noticed any discomfort from her but I didn't. Then again, she's pretty stoic unless you step on her toes. Then she sounds like you tried to kill her. When manipulating her hock back and forth with my hand on her knee, I felt what seemed like a ligament slipping.

I don't know if her knee could be messed up because of her usual back issues or if this is something more serious. What I do know is that we're probably going to be back at the vet AGAIN. I just hope we don't need X-rays or surgery. Not that resting Risa would be easy either.

And, speaking of X-rays, I was thinking back and I did have the Mutt X-rayed when she was younger. I looked at her X-rays from when she was 3 and her right patella seems like it might be a bit off center. I know the positioning isn't exactly OFA great but do you think it's possible she might have a slightly luxating patella??



So much for the public's general consensus that mutts are healthier!

Ha, well my mutt doesn't have the best joints either. So sorry she's having trouble, I wish I knew anything about x-rays so I could help.

Jamie, I';m so sorry Risa's having knee issues! I am hoping the loose ligement-thing is really nothing, and that she will be just fine. I'm hoping for a vet report that explains things and puts you at ease. Good with the doxy and Dasuquin. Risa is absolutely in the best hands with you!

Best wish for lovely Risa!

A vet versed in ortho issues will be able to tell you what's what, most likely without an xray.
At least that was my experience.

I don't know much about knees. I do know that Max's "knee" problem was really his IS joint in the low back, so it can be tricky.

I'm sorry that she is having such a hard time.

My muttindy was never the picture of health either, but compared to Max, well, enough said I guess

The dogs - one of the canaries of the world around us.

Oh, as far as she's concerned, nothing is wrong. Dogs are pretty awesome like that. And Risa doesn't usually let things get her down. Well, she seems to be more into walking vs. trotting on the walk back to the car (where we go for walks you go out and back). But she's still racing up the stairs, spinning, and being crazy in the house.

It's me who's the concerned one.

Knee issues yuck! Hope you get it figured out and that she feels better soon!

She seems to have been doing better. Though it's a bit tough to tell. Mainly because we haven't been doing the long walks lately (work schedule is a bit prohibitive during the week). I had her on Cosequin for about 2 weeks but had to take her off of it. I think something in it is throwing her gut off (I eliminated all other potentials and am now just waiting for her to rebound). I should know by the weekend if the Cosequin was the culprit. So I'm in search of another joint supplement to give her. Just wish I knew what in the Cosequin set her off. My guess is it's either the brewer's yeast (I have suspected this as a possible issue for her before) or the glucosamine. I'm not sure I'm going to find something she can take at this rate.

I'm hoping to contact the vet hospital where Risa sees her TCVM vet as I know the other vet was supposed to start taking chiropractic appointments this winter. I'd like to have her evaluate Ris (her back and knee specifically) and get Ri adjusted. Especially since lure coursing season is just about ready to start and I need to have Risa fit as a fiddle to do it!

Any suggestions on joint supplements? Nothing with MSM in it; too much garlic causes her to have incontinence issues and I suspect it's the sulfur in it. No poultry, no fish, no barley.

Thanks.

How about Joint Max Regular Strength or Double Strength ? Neither have MSM in them.

Aodhán used to take the triple strength version, but that one does contain MSM.