I'm glad to read that you guys suggest what my gut was telling me to do and not to do. It's just hard for me to see her have her rough days with her joints, and that's why i was wondering if you guys would do it for your own fur children.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Mabel's story.... I'll keep it relatively short.

She was/is my aunts dog (she still has visitation haha), and I've known she had some hip problems before so I learned about this Adequan a couple of months ago. I called my aunt and told her that I wanted to try it with her. Before this I hadn't seen Mabel in probably... ehhh... a year. When my aunt dropped her off to me she was full of infection, and couldn't walk more than six slow miserable steps before having to sit down and take a break. I treated her for her many different infections which were located in her eyes, ears, face folds, and internally. Her nails were so long that they curled under her paw pads, her eyes were discharging green/yellow, her nose rope was black from yeast, and her ears were swollen shut. She was also morbidly Obese... I haven't weighed her recently, but by looking at her...we've shaved at least 5 pounds off of her now.

Her treatment consisted of sooo many different meds to get her on track... Until recently she didn't have any rough days so that means that for the first time in the last 4 or so years she has been pain medicine free for more than 48 hours.

She recieves fish oil 1-2 times a day, vitamin C in her water, and she is on a supplement called Oste-o3. Everytime my aunt sees her she asks if she's just recieved a bath... I wish I could tell her yes, but she's only gotten one bath since she's been with me... i tell her it's good dog food along with the fish oil haha. I'll get some pictures up shortly you guys.

Oh yes, I live in Middleburg Florida... I'm willing to drive 40 or so miles one way to get her to the right vet for her. The closest city/vet to me is Jacksonville San Juan Animal Hospital.

to getting well! I'm in Tallahassee, fl..so thats no help for you but my vet is a bully vet...

much bully love~Christine, Dupree, Marley and Savannah

I completely agree. Get those teeth done asap! It will relieve A LOT OF PAIN for her

www.midatlanticbulldogrescue.com

I agree, I wouldnt put her under.I'm in florida, may I ask where in Fl are you?

much bully love~Christine, Dupree, Marley and Savannah

Teeth problems can be very painful. If she needs extractions, then yes. That should be quick and recovery is only a couple of days.

Time under for knee and elbow surgery would be much longer and the recovery and rehab would be months. I'd try to make her comfortable with meds and supplements.

What makes a bulldog specialist so special?? Lots of experience treating lots and lots of bulldogs successfully. A good track record and recommendations from other bulldog owners. When you go to his/her office, you see at least two other bulldogs coming or going.




I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

I am SO happy that you got to keep her, can you post the story? I am dying to know! and some pics of Mable?
Congrats to you and Mable on having eachother, and thank you to you for being her guardian angel.




Tiffany and Stella

Her 11-year old girl HAD to have a couple of teeth pulled. She was freaked out but she had no choice and things went fine. Of course, there is always a risk...

I agree with Elaine on the hip sugery. At her age, it would be so tough to recover. And there may be ways (supplements, etc.) to ease her soreness. Besides, it's not like you are taking an old girl on mile-long walks. My 10 year old girl goes out, does her thing, and comes back in. Her daily exercise consist of following me around.

Also, just my opinion, of course

is that I wouldn't consider any hip or elbow surgery at this age...the recovery could be a few months on a young and healthy animal...I think dealing with the constant pain and energy required for the healing process would wear out any old dog. Teeth, on the other hand, is something that should be a relatively easy thing to do...should be...and I admit that I too am reluctant to put a bully over 10yrs under anesthesia for anything but in the case of my Dale, she had to have anesthesia at 11yrs old to sew up her leg after a dog attack (not my dogs!)so it can be done...and even if her mouth is sore for 1-2weeks, that is considerably less than any kind of orthopedic surgery.

for the elbow/hip thing? You could have her on some METACAM EVERY DAY...(not a supplement but a heavy duty anti-inflammatory) and add to that this new wonder stuff...

UBAVET GOLD / GLUCOSAMINE HCL this supplement is fantastic but not cheap, $80.00 for the 35.2 oz size. It is only available from the vet. Has Chondroitin, MSM and a bunch of omega-3 fatty acids, etc. I think it would be great for her. you just sprinkle 1 1/2 spoonfuls in their wet food each day, they love the taste.

Just an idea.

Personally, I would not go the surgery route on an older dog unless their health is outstanding to start with. I WOULD get her teeth done, however.

Love to hear how things go ))

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Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO