that's such good news!! thanks for sharing with us 
I'm glad Izzy is feeling better
Hope she will stay well and healthy!
I'm glad Izzy is feeling better
Hope she will stay well and healthy!
Update: Izzy's luxating patelas
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Wohoo! Keep improving Izzy!
I only know what was prescribed for Izzy at 4.4 lbs with her specific issues. So this may not be appropriate for every situation but this is her protocol. If your dog is having problems he or she should be evaluted by a qualified vet.
Glucosamine Sulfate MSM 250 mg per day. I bought the people kind at the vitamin store.
Weight management is critical - Izzy just finished up a diet where she lost a whole pound (that's a lot for her). Now she is at a healthy weight.
Izzy walks or swims for a minimum twenty minutes straight every day (no stopping just walking) Per Dr. B. In the winter we will use a treadmill and swim in the big tub. Dr. B said we couldn't stop doing this in the winter we have to do it consistently or the damage will start again. There are other excersise she will graduate to as she gets stronger and older but I don't know what they are yet.
The chiropracter/sports injury doctor's (Dr. Dan) goal was to strengthen her haunch muscles (quadriceps?), so he suggested having her walk/wade in a baby pool with 2 inches of water.
Also to lay down 1/2 inch dowel rods like a ladder and have her walk it to make her lift her legs higher but not jump. I found I could use a garden hose for this without spending any money. Also I found that walking through lawns with grass that's longer and ready to be cut makes her pick up her legs more - she has really short legs.
Izzy was not to the point where bone was rubbing bone which is what causes the pain. she just needs to strengthen the muscles around the joints to keep the stress off of them and to support cartilage growth as much as possible so that she can maintain it. I was told her protocol will change as she gets older but that with good care she should never be in pain or need surgery. Our process will be two steps forward and two steps back all the way through life but we will ultimately stay in the same place which is no worse than she is right now (and isn't that bad).
I was also told that cartilage does grow - BUT it grows VERY slowly so support is really important.
Glucosamine Sulfate MSM 250 mg per day. I bought the people kind at the vitamin store.
Weight management is critical - Izzy just finished up a diet where she lost a whole pound (that's a lot for her). Now she is at a healthy weight.
Izzy walks or swims for a minimum twenty minutes straight every day (no stopping just walking) Per Dr. B. In the winter we will use a treadmill and swim in the big tub. Dr. B said we couldn't stop doing this in the winter we have to do it consistently or the damage will start again. There are other excersise she will graduate to as she gets stronger and older but I don't know what they are yet.
The chiropracter/sports injury doctor's (Dr. Dan) goal was to strengthen her haunch muscles (quadriceps?), so he suggested having her walk/wade in a baby pool with 2 inches of water.
Also to lay down 1/2 inch dowel rods like a ladder and have her walk it to make her lift her legs higher but not jump. I found I could use a garden hose for this without spending any money. Also I found that walking through lawns with grass that's longer and ready to be cut makes her pick up her legs more - she has really short legs.
Izzy was not to the point where bone was rubbing bone which is what causes the pain. she just needs to strengthen the muscles around the joints to keep the stress off of them and to support cartilage growth as much as possible so that she can maintain it. I was told her protocol will change as she gets older but that with good care she should never be in pain or need surgery. Our process will be two steps forward and two steps back all the way through life but we will ultimately stay in the same place which is no worse than she is right now (and isn't that bad).
I was also told that cartilage does grow - BUT it grows VERY slowly so support is really important.
Thanks Leslie. Great info!! Tyler has been diagnosed now by 2 vets so he definitely has LP but they said if he's asymptomatic not to worry much or give any thought to surgery. But no one mentioned the physical therapy. It makes so much sense because that's what I need(ed) to do when I had all my ligament damage from skiing to both my knees. I had to build up strength and muscle to stabilize and protect the knee and make up for damage done. I would run all this by my vet but it really helps to hear what Dr. Becker recommended.I only know what was prescribed for Izzy at 4.4 lbs with her specific issues. So this may not be appropriate for every situation but this is her protocol. If your dog is having problems he or she should be evaluted by a qualified vet.
Glucosamine Sulfate MSM 250 mg per day. I bought the people kind at the vitamin store.
Weight management is critical - Izzy just finished up a diet where she lost a whole pound (that's a lot for her). Now she is at a healthy weight.
Izzy walks or swims for a minimum twenty minutes straight every day (no stopping just walking) Per Dr. B. In the winter we will use a treadmill and swim in the big tub. Dr. B said we couldn't stop doing this in the winter we have to do it consistently or the damage will start again. There are other excersise she will graduate to as she gets stronger and older but I don't know what they are yet.
The chiropracter/sports injury doctor's (Dr. Dan) goal was to strengthen her haunch muscles (quadriceps?), so he suggested having her walk/wade in a baby pool with 2 inches of water.
Also to lay down 1/2 inch dowel rods like a ladder and have her walk it to make her lift her legs higher but not jump. I found I could use a garden hose for this without spending any money. Also I found that walking through lawns with grass that's longer and ready to be cut makes her pick up her legs more - she has really short legs.
Izzy was not to the point where bone was rubbing bone which is what causes the pain. she just needs to strengthen the muscles around the joints to keep the stress off of them and to support cartilage growth as much as possible so that she can maintain it. I was told her protocol will change as she gets older but that with good care she should never be in pain or need surgery. Our process will be two steps forward and two steps back all the way through life but we will ultimately stay in the same place which is no worse than she is right now (and isn't that bad).
I was also told that cartilage does grow - BUT it grows VERY slowly so support is really important.
Back to buying it in stores. I always have seen glucosomine in huge pills of 1500mg. What exactly do you buy?
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