Well howdy to all, my little blue heelers aren't so little anymore, Jacob (the one that got sick) is pushing 55 lbs. and since the parvo mess, all is well except Jacob is haveing repeted injuries to his front feet, he limps like it is sprained, it swells and has some heat for a few days then seems fine again. Then the other foot does the same thing. After a few repetes of this he feet are getting noticeably larger than normal. I realize he needs some extra suppliments for his joints, Lambriar has some bulk MSM I plan to order. and I am looking for other sugestions of what may help him.

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), January 11, 2002

Answers

Maybe Shark Cartilage/Chondroitin Sulfate. Do a search, you'll get lots of websites with good information. Good luck.

-- Bobbi (the_bee_lady@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

Glucosamine/chondrotin works well in most dogs, the vet supply catalogs are full of various types and costs, KV Vet Supply has pages and pages of dietary supplements for joint problems in dogs alone, vitamin C as Ester C helps joint inflammation as well for dogs.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 11, 2002.

Thumper has your dog ever had its lyme vaccination? Cause those symptoms sound like it. Have you brought the dog to get checked? it could also be just growing pains. For now give the dog Childrens ASPIRIN not tylenol or advil but childrens ASPIRIN when the dog is limping.But bring the dog to a vet please ...

David

-- david (drollb@aol.com), January 11, 2002.

Thumper, sometimes big dogs, even if they are from breeds not considered large, have a bone problem called panostitis. I dealt with it in a male Pyr that hit 100# at 6 months and in a German Shepherd who was almost 100# at maturity. Your vet will call it panno and it's an all encompassing, non-specific, non-infectious inflammation of the legs usually associated with fast growth. What you describe in Jacob sounds a lot like it. Although both my dogs looked pitiful with it, they eventually grew out of it. In the meantime, keep up the good work in relieving his discomfort.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), January 11, 2002.