Monday Musing

Whisky : Hello Furriends! Mommy says I am like a carpet when I lie down this way...a carpet that yelps if stepped on. BOL!
Whisky has osteoarthritis in her hips and muscle wastage in her hind legs

It's all good until it's time to get up. We notice she is most able to get up with the right motivation (read : TREATS), although there are times she can't, and ends up "swimming" in that position until we help lift up her back end

She uses her front legs to push herself up. Sometimes she ends up sliding backwards. Whisky has been going for regular acupuncture and it has helped. Now, we have started her on physiotherapy to help rebuild her hind leg muscles in a safe manner

Whisky : But once I'm up, I'm ready to chase anyone for treats, even if I sometimes slide around as I walk / run!

We ended up buying her an array of baby socks to see if the little rubber dots are able to help. The blue booties are good as they have a rubber sole, giving very good traction but are a little too big. The others fit better but have the rubbery stuff at the wrong areas. She needs them to be closer to the top part and at the sides (to help when she gets up)

After doing some reading, I read that puffy paint can mimic the non slip qualities. It took a while but we finally found 2 types of Puffy Paint!

We got to work with her older socks. It wasn't as easy to get nice uniform shapes...but that's probably because we aren't very crafty. LOL

Whisky : Chasing after my treat ball is part of my exercise routine...this is one exercise I really enjoy!
The puffy painted socks didn't seem to make much of a difference. Looks like it's back to the drawing board!

I've ordered some non-slip fabric so we'll see if that works better. Doggy boots might work better but those aren't made of "breathable" materials so might be rather uncomfortable.  If anyone has any other suggestions, please leave us a comment!

Hot Dog

Whisky : Oh oh. The car's stopped...

Whisky : I feel conflicted. I wanna leave but yet, I wanna go in...

*sniff sniff sniff*

WHISKY! Were you thinking of going potty?
Whisky : Of course not!

Whisky : That doggy just came out....and that can only mean one thing...it's MY turn!
*hides behind Daddy's legs*

Dr S : Open wide......
Whisky : Hrrummpf. Dr S says my tongue color tells her I'm a *hot* dog

Whisky : Mommy! What's Dr S doing back there?
She's taking your pulse, sweetie. Hold still

Whisky : She's needling me! Can't we skip all these and get to the last bit?

Whisky : How long more?
Just a few more minutes and it'll be happy time!

If you biggify, you should be able to see the needles around her upper thigh and hip area

Whisky : HAPPY TIME is here!

Whisky : Give the *hot* dog the hot dog! Yum yum

Whisky was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her hips during her annual checkup. She is able to move around fine, but will occasionally struggle to get up. The acupuncture sessions are for her general well being and also for management of the osteoarthritis. Once we get the go ahead from Dr Susanna (her acupuncturist), we will start her on physiotherapy to strengthen her hind legs (most likely swimming, to minimise the stress on her hips).

Whisky doesn't mind the acupuncture sessions and will be going for her 4th session on Monday.  :) Other than the occasional struggling to get up, Whisky is doing very well and still chases the kitties for fun.

Yummy!

Whisky has been having regular acupuncture sessions since suffering a relapse of a slipped disc of her neck in April 2010.  She has not had a relapse since but we continue with the acupuncture for her general health well being.

After each session, Dr Susanna (her acupuncturist) will give her a treat and this time, she gave her an extra treat!  It was dried cow stomach and did not smell at all appealing to me but Whisky LOVED it!

The fur around her mouth and feet smell yucky but what's that compared to how happy and content she is now?  :)