Learning Journey

It's been quite some time since I last posted anything. I felt it was important to take a step back and focus more on the changes in Lakota's life. After all, she is not a pet, she is a family member and I am alpha of her pack. At 14 years old (equivalent to 88 in human years), I've observed a gradual but consistent decline. Her appetite, muscle mass, energy, hearing, sight, and spirit had all deteriorated.

Arthritis

Rheumatoid nodules, which are inflammatory tissue bumps under the skin around joints, appeared above her front paws. They are painful to say the least. I know this because I have them around the joints of my fingers and wrists. Her hips showed slight signs of myelopathy, eventually leading to her back legs intertwining or crossing as she walked.

The average age for the onset of clinical signs is said to be between 8 and 14 years. Typically, dogs progress through all stages within 12 to 18 months. The cumulative damage to the spinal cord becomes evident later in life, which explains why dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) do not respond to treatment. By the time symptoms appear, the damage is already done.

The primary symptom of DM that most dog owners notice is a decline in bladder and bowel function. These functions are generally normal in the early stages of the disease, but as it progresses to the mid- to late stages, urinary and fecal incontinence develop alongside hind-limb paralysis. Lakota has not progressed to this stage yet, but has had urinary accidents, where she was unable to "hold" her urine before making it outside. A well trained dog becomes confused by these types of "accidents" because they have been trained where to go and clean up accordingly. I am prepared for the incontinence phase, with washable diapers I used when she was going through her menstrual cycle before she was spayed.

Appetite

Lakota was a so-so eater. She always seemed to be more accepting of wet, rather than all dry food, but would accept wet and dry mixed in the bowl. From 6 weeks old to 14 years old, I can say that I ran the gamut of dog food brands. Some she liked right away, but grew tired of a few months later, others she liked long term. It was not until about 5 years ago that I began investigating dog food ingredients, FDA regulation, ratings, etc. Had I known then what I know now, Lakota may have been in better shape now.

In short, most commercial dog food is unregulated crap. All the bad, uneatable by human animal parts (dead or alive) are contained in most brands. Dry food has too many carbs and is cooked into non-nutritional garbage. It really is all about the money. Do your homework, trust no advertisement. It is all about the money. Can't you see? There are so many brands on the market, they can't all be the best for your dog. Just because you put 2 different brands in front of a dog and the dog leans more to one brand than the other, does not mean that brand is the best. It's like asking a child to pick from the small and taste of a hamburger or salmon patty. Have you ever smelled wet dog food cans versus fresh dog food containers after a few days in the garbage? The smell of cans will make you sick. The cans smell like dead animals because the preservatives are gone. You and your dog might be better off with homemade food. It costs less and is better for your dog because you have learned all the good stuff that you should put in it.

Make your own. Here is one of my Pup Pies without the crust of course:

Muscle Mass

Lakota was an active girl. She had superior drive, loved sports and as with all German Shepherds, needed a job to do.

Mid-air grace: Lakota leaping effortlessly in our backyard, mastering the art of catch.

Clicker training gave her reasoning skills, intuition and adeptness, so when her hearing began to decline, I was able to communicate with her through sign language and body movement.

Hind Leg Lift Therapy

https://smallanimalsurgery.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Physiotherapy-hind-limbs.pdf

I practice hind leg lift therapy several times a day. 25 reps per leg, per session is where we are so far. I have Lakota in standing position. I straddle over her facing her hind legs. Leaning down, I use one hand under her belly to support her, and the other hand to raise her legs up to her groin. My hope is to get her strong enough for short, 10 minute walks outside. I rotate extra protein food additives like sardines in water, Myos Pet Muscle Building Protein, Extend Joint Care for extra muscle support.

Heating Pad

A heating pad was placed inside the cover of her bed. I also use a regular (rectangular) heating pad on her hips, hind and front legs after exercises or when she pants excessively when inactive (sign of discomfort). Lakota has prescription for Carprofen and Galliprant®, which I try not to use on a regular basis, as they can cause kidney failure. Galliprant® was prescribed to use with her Carprofen when she began to "knuckle" on her front paws.

A dog's paw showing signs of knuckling, with the foot curled under and the toes dragging.

Galliprant® caused her to vomit and lose her appetite, so I haven't touched it again. Other alternatives that temporarily reduce inflammation and are less harmful: ginger (no more than1tsp/day), Pawfy Pain Relief Chews, CBD Oil for Dogs. I want to improve what is left of Lakota's life and make her as comfortable as possible, not create a zombie on narcotics.

Showers

Use of non-slip padding or artificial grass mat to prevent slipping while providing ability to fill shower chamber with water and utilize massaging handheld shower head works wonders.

Following-up with a warm blow dryer helps arthritis sufferers temporarily feel like new.

Laser Therapy

I decided to try at home first to see if using one on a consistent basis would do some good. I can say that it has. After applying to stiff/sore areas, Lakota noticeably does not lick or bite inflamed areas after using, but this is only temporary relief for a few hours.

Massage

Gentle massage to increase blood flow is always a plus. Massage is an effective way of dealing with pain, aiding recovery from injuries or surgery, and providing psychological relief.

When searching for a canine massage therapist, inquire about their certification and ensure it was obtained from a reputable organization, such as a preferred educational provider with the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork. Additionally, consider the therapist’s experience and any extra skills they may offer. Some might also be vet techs or canine chiropractors, for instance. “Besides hands-on skills, it’s crucial to find a massage therapist who exudes a calming energy around your dog.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-massage

At Home Massage:

https://youtu.be/f6ZK9EwOFI0

Supplements

Antioxidants like wild blueberries, sweet potatoes, green peas, quinoa, seaweed, carrots, oats, pumpkin are only a few. They can be given as treats or put in food. Nutramax Proviable Digestive Health Supplement Multi-Strain Probiotics and Prebiotics has been my go to for about 6-7 years now. They were awesome with eliminating Lakota's seasonal allergies.