We've been dreading this ever since we got Troy, because we knew it would be almost unavoidable! And I think we are experiencing the first signs of joint trouble now with Troy...

Troy will be six in November, we have had him for 3 1/2 years. We don't know of course what sort of diet he was on as a puppy and how much exercise he got! But chances are that he was on a puppy diet for too long - and that therefore his joints would suffer eventually...

The first we noticed was an occasional limp in his back leg, it was very occasional, so we didn't do anything about it. It was only ever first thing when getting up...

A few weeks ago, we noticed for the first time, that he was reluctant to jump into the car. Normally, he would jump in straight away, now we have to tell him a couple of times, and he tries to walk away from it at first. So we are pretty sure there is something going on in his back legs. But again, as it only ever happened when jumping into the car (which is a rare event), we didn't feel we had to do anything about it just yet.

Over the last couple of weeks however, I felt that he had an ever such a slight weakness in the front legs, I think it might be the left shoulder. When he gets up and walks, it just looks ever so slightly out of balance...

So, we have decided to take action now to find out what is going on. I will have him booked in with a chiropractitioner, who was recommended to me. She will be able to tell whether it is just something out of balance in his skeleton (which we hope it is), which she will be able to fix, or whether Troy needs vet treatment.

We've been dreading this... but will now just have to deal with it! :(

Vera

Oh everything crossed here for the gorgeous Troy Vera , i hope it is not something too serious and can be sorted out quickly . I think thats one of the hard things with taking on a rescue dog , especially a giant breed as we have no way of knowing their diet and upbringing as you said . We know whats important to do the best we can for them but unfortunately some people dont and as usual its the dogs that pay the price :( Everything crossed here for a solution for your lovely boy

Fiona xx

Well, I have talked to the chiropractitioner and to our vet, and Troy's appointment with the chiropractitioner will be Friday morning. :)

I am glad we have an appointment so soon as I want this sorted out before we go on holiday in October! I wouldn't want him to end up in pain all week long... :(

Vera

We took Troy to see Marissa today, a lovely chiropractitioner. She did indeed find a few things which were out of line in Troy's body. She adjusted the top of his neck, the middle of his spine was quite a lot out of line too, and his pelvis was twisted. She "reset" it all. He now has to rest for 48 hours and can only just go out in the garden for toiletting. But I don't think it will be too hard to keep him calm as he zonked out as soon as we got home... :rolleyes: :lol:

He needs to go back in a month to see what it feels like then. After that consultation Marissa should be able to tell whether there is a problem in his joints, or whether it is just certain movements that put him out of line.

Marissa said that it was not serious yet, as we caught it very early.

I'll keep you updated.

Vera

I found a good link that explains chiropractise nicely: Here!

I am so glad things are not looking too bad for Troy ,give him a huge hug from me please Vera :D

Fiona xx

Troy went back to the chiropractor today and things looked good. The only area she had to adjust slightly again was the pelvis, the rest (particularly his back) was fine! We are really pleased about that.

Troy's joints also seem better as he does not hesitate anymore when he gets up and seems generally more comfortable and balanced.

We will continue to monitor him and bring him back if necessary!

Vera

Just to update on Troy's joints... he is doing very well. No hesitations anymore when getting up, he walks well and seems in a good mood. He also eats well, which is great.

I think that the chiro sessions were a fantastic investment and great success and would recommend it to everyone!

In the new year, our two lurchers will be going too, just to rebalance their bodies!

Vera

Thats great news Vera :D With these giant breeds their joints and stuff is something that worries us all i think? Part of the problem as you said at one point was not knowing what our rescue Pyr's have been fed in the past what level of exercise they have had plays a part as well .

I know i worry about all that especially with Storm , i know i have done the best i can for Akira since she was a wee puppy but i also know the diet Storm had before he came to me and all i can say is i am so glad i got the chance to change it to something a lot better for him , i also give my two glucasamine , evening primrose and cod liver oil to try and help out and hopefully prevent any problems in the future

Fiona xx

We are off to the chiropractor again tomorrow - this time we are taking all three dogs! :o :lol: Troy is still fine, but we will have a check up for him anyway, the same goes for the lurchers. They don't show any symptoms, but I just want peace of mind that everything is ok. The way they charge around in the park, I am surprised that all bones are still in the right place... :huh: Yesterday, Flash didn't stop running in the park and was a complete lunatic. Another dog walker couldn't believe it and said that it was quite impressive. He is running non-stop and is not even out of breath... (he wasn't even panting). And I am talking about running for over an hour almost non-stop, not just a 2 minute sprint... :o

It went great - or not so great, whatever way you look at it!

Troy had been twice before, and he is sound now! A few very minor adjustments, but it is the last necessary treatment for him for the time being! Great news!

Flash: Marisa found a major problem in the neck. Looks like the crash into a wire mesh fence at full pelt a few months ago, left its mark. It could also be that he was tied up perhaps as a pup and hurt himself that way... who knows. I know that his throat is extremely sensitive, so I am not surprised that she has found something! His spine was slightly curved too and is now adjusted. Again, Marisa says that everywhere else he is perfectly sound. He has very strong hindquarters too. (I take that credit as they get a good amount of exercise and really have body builder muscles).

Dylan: his pelvis was twisted and the hip bones instead of even on the same level, one side was shifted back by almost an inch. This was probably the reason why he would suddenly yelp for no reason when running, then limp for a couple of minutes, then carry on as if nothing had happened. The CSJ herbs helped, but now the actual cause is eliminated, I feel better. In contrast to Flash, his front end is perfectly sound. He is also very strong in his hindquarters!

So overall, I am glad that I took the three of them. As lurchers hurt themselves quite easily and go mad when running, I will take them back yearly just to readjust and make sure they are balanced. If of course they have accidents, knocks, traumas etc. they will go back straight away.

So, £75 (£25 per dog) well invested!

Vera

PS. All three dogs are shattered and nicely asleep! Just as well, they have to be kept quiet for a couple of days now to give the body time to readjust! Especially Dylan might be a bit stiff in his back end for a short while as a big adjustment was made!

Great you got your mind put at rest Vra and glad everything has been adjusted for all your lovely doggies :D

Fiona xx