Luxating Patella and old age
Bad news bears, Nicky my 13ish year old mostly blind, toothless, overweight, foster shiba tripped on the stairs and apparently has a stage 3 LP and this knocked it out of place. The emergency vet said that she needs surgery but not immediately but she can barely put weight on her back leg and her backend collapses as she cant hold as much of her weight. I've continued the weight loss system her owners had her on but it will be awhile before she can support her weight fully on one leg. She can't be crated, shes broken multiple teeth from her previous lives when kenneled, (I put her in a crate for several hours when we had maintenance guys and I couldn't be home she had bent every wall and the ceiling in was bruised and bleeding and had to be pryed out).
All of that being said we are seeing if sedatives and activity restrictions can help reduce the swelling and limping. The owners and I agree for now that at her age surgery would be more challenging and difficult to recover from than what is otherwise a pretty serious but painless limp. I'm coming to you all looking for advice on non invasive recovery/treatment options and seeing if anyone has a hip sling I can buy from them (goober ways 35lbs and has to be carried down from an upper apartment multiple times a day and is having a hard time balancing during movements).
All of that being said we are seeing if sedatives and activity restrictions can help reduce the swelling and limping. The owners and I agree for now that at her age surgery would be more challenging and difficult to recover from than what is otherwise a pretty serious but painless limp. I'm coming to you all looking for advice on non invasive recovery/treatment options and seeing if anyone has a hip sling I can buy from them (goober ways 35lbs and has to be carried down from an upper apartment multiple times a day and is having a hard time balancing during movements).
Comments
Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements have been very helpful with Nola's HD. Was the vet able to pop her knee cap back into place? If so, maybe work on some strengthening exercises?
As for the hip sling (carrier, I am assuming), I do not have one, but I hear they are pretty easy to make. You might ask @ljowen123 about hers. And if you just want something to help support her rear while she walks, a towel makes a very great makeshift rear support sling.
How does she do in an expen or with a baby gate? Maybe if you can just restrict her to a smaller space she would do better than in a crate. Although, I imagine that she is probably not super active when you are not around.