Playing like a Pup

My whole life, I have done the bunny hop. This means that when I run, I pick my back legs up at the same time and hop them rather than running with them like my front legs. This can be a sign of hip dysplasia -- and Rotties are prone to that -- so my mom has had me checked several times. Every time, she was told that I seemed fine. Until the last time. She took me to a new vet because I was acting lethargic and she wanted to make sure that this could be attributed to normal aging rather than a problem. Good thing she checked! The vet found that I was barely able to move my back legs due to arthritis, which was causing a considerable amount of pain. The vet recommended an aggressive treatment: a supplement, pain killer and Adequan injections.

Mom was very hesitant to move forward so aggressively because pain killers can cause liver and kidney problems. However, the vet reminded her that living a longer life in a lot of pain really isn't much of a life. She  didn't want to think of me suffering quietly. A month ago, we began the treatment. Just a few days ago, for the first time in my whole life, I ran without the bunny hop. I chased another dog around the dog park like I was a puppy!!

Just remember, if your dog is acting abnormally, please take them to the vet. There might be an easy fix that makes your pup much more comfortable! Love, Chubbs