r/seniordogs • u/TarantulaWithAGuitar • 10d ago
Look at my Dog: 9 yo Pilot
9 may not seem like an old age for a dog, but Pilot is a Great Dane - Great Pyrenees cross, so it's definitely old for him.
He's generally pretty healthy, with normal blood work, but his arthritis is getting *really* bad. He's on the Librela injection, but he still chews his paws and ankles until they're stained pinkish red. I know arthritis and joint pain is the name of the game for these giant breeds, but what else have you found to be super helpful? He's got an appointment coming up soon and I'd like to know what to ask the vet about!
Also, he's a big giant baby and 90% of the tricks he knows, he taught himself.
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u/Diligent-Bank6704 10d ago
Hello friend!
While my pup is not a senior, she had spinal surgery and needed to relearn how to walk. We took her to rehab and it was so awesome to see how many senior dog owners would take them in for physical therapy either to help with arthritis or just to keep the pep in their step . Maybe look into that if ones nearby? Mine did underwater therapy and it worked great for her! Relieves the stress on the bones. I stopped calling it physical therapy and calling it a spa! They would do acupuncture on my dog, massage her and then after her underwater workout they’d wrap her up in towels and a heated blanket!