Older basset

bakinforbassets · 10-10-2011, 10:59 AM

Hey,
Mr. Peabody is getting on in years-12-14? He has always negotiated the back steps to get to his lot but now can only go down-and with difficulty. He can stay in his lot or the basement until I get home from work but doesn't much care for it. This past week he either couldn't do the steps or didn't try & peed in the house. Luckily I have old hardwood floors & they clean up easily but I'm wondering if there is another solution. I get up to let him out the front door (no steps) at least once a nite but I'm getting on in years as well and don't go back to sleep as easily as Mr. Pea. Any help out there? I had him to the vet but the pain meds didn't seem to help.

Mikey T · 10-10-2011, 06:33 PM

you can do the same for him the do for the handicapes and either buy or make a ramp if using a ramp to be a genetal enough slope it need to be twice as long as the stair case.

Soundtrack · 10-10-2011, 06:59 PM

I second the ramp suggestion, I have a ramp for the older dogs to get on the bed and a portable one I got so Ginger could get into the van. I only have a single low step out of the house so that is not an issue.

bakinforbassets · 10-14-2011, 07:47 AM

Thanks,
My steps are quite steep & there is no room to extend a ramp due to a wall. Has anyone had luck with Glucosamine Chondroiton (sp?)? I've ordered a sling (or whatever you call it) to help lift him on to my bed & into the car etc. He has always had steps to get on the bed but even 3 steps are too much for him now-Bless his little hound heart. Anyhoo thanks for the suggestions.
Susan

Mikey T · 10-14-2011, 09:50 AM

[quote]My steps are quite steep & there is no room to extend a ramp due to a wall[quote]
A lift (aka wheel chair lift) is an alternitive bot not a cheap one

as For glucosomine, chondrotin or other nuetricuetical to work you would first wold have to know the problem is related to joint pain which is not clear at this point. it could be reated to muscle weakness or nerve damage from incrimental intervertibrate disk disease wich is all to common in older dwarf breed which is not realted to pain at all.

Next even assuming that it is joint pain newwer studies on these ingrediens by NIH label them as ineffective ecept possibly but not confinfirmed effect on moderate to sever pain over placebo. In the world of animal nueticutical the onluy one proven effect is cosequin however one must remember the studies on cosequin were funded by the company so there is some bias. The bottom line is the effectiveness of these substance are very much in doubt however there is very little risk to there use. That said if pain is the problem you are likely better off with one of the newer coxx-2 inhibiters for dog like deramaxx ,celecoxib,Rimadyl®,Metacam® which cause fewer gastrointestinal problem with long term use than tradidional nsaids in dogs.

Barney'spal · 10-14-2011, 10:42 AM

I bought this at dr. foster & Smith. Thought it was way too expensive but it's lightweight and can go in different figurations. It's held up nicely....looks like it could use a good cleaning though. Because it's so light, you can move it whereever needed.

Wworm · 10-14-2011, 02:54 PM

wow, that is nice, Barney!

I get glucosamine & chondroitin daily (comes in a pill w/other stuff)... mainly for prevention i guess. may not help at all. but it's beef flavored so it is yum.
--Worm

bakinforbassets · 10-14-2011, 03:14 PM

Thanks for all the info. My vet just said back problems-sorta vague, isn't it. He "goosesteps" his back legs-you know, kicks them out in front of him. Then sometimes he falls over when he cocks his leg to pee. He still manages the 3 small steps to my bed IF I'm not there to lift him up, but the back steps are a regular 13 step, steep, staircase leading to the basement and dog lot.

Re: pain, he doesn't seem to be in pain & I tried the Rimadyl for a couple of weeks without seeing any difference. I just thought the Glucosamine might help with stiffness-which he exhibits when he first gets up from sleeping.

Love the portable ramp & may show it to my brother for his 2 bassets. However it wouldn't hardly go up the long stairs.

I appreciate everyones input. For now I'll just do the best I can. On weekends it's no problem as I can take him out the front door. It's during the week while I'm at work he has issues. I don't mind cleaning up after him & since I'm not a picky housekeeper & live alone (except for my furbabies) it's not a big deal. My large shepherd mix, Molly waits all day but Mr. Peabody must have a bladder the size of a peanut! Thanks again for your info & concern.
Susan

jaleely · 10-14-2011, 05:12 PM

poor thing...i think i'd really try to get even a skinny, long board to put on one side of the stairs as a kind of ramp. we should all be so well taken care of in our age!

henry'smum · 10-14-2011, 05:26 PM

would this be a good occasion for the artificial grass option if there isnt room for a ramp and Mr Peabody needs to...Pee?

10-10-2011, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
bakinforbassets Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: I live in East Tennessee. Posts: 66	Older basset Hey, Mr. Peabody is getting on in years-12-14? He has always negotiated the back steps to get to his lot but now can only go down-and with difficulty. He can stay in his lot or the basement until I get home from work but doesn't much care for it. This past week he either couldn't do the steps or didn't try & peed in the house. Luckily I have old hardwood floors & they clean up easily but I'm wondering if there is another solution. I get up to let him out the front door (no steps) at least once a nite but I'm getting on in years as well and don't go back to sleep as easily as Mr. Pea. Any help out there? I had him to the vet but the pain meds didn't seem to help.

10-10-2011, 06:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,581	I second the ramp suggestion, I have a ramp for the older dogs to get on the bed and a portable one I got so Ginger could get into the van. I only have a single low step out of the house so that is not an issue. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

10-14-2011, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mikey T Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: West Warrwick, RI Posts: 7,729	[quote]My steps are quite steep & there is no room to extend a ramp due to a wall[quote] A lift (aka wheel chair lift) is an alternitive bot not a cheap one as For glucosomine, chondrotin or other nuetricuetical to work you would first wold have to know the problem is related to joint pain which is not clear at this point. it could be reated to muscle weakness or nerve damage from incrimental intervertibrate disk disease wich is all to common in older dwarf breed which is not realted to pain at all. Next even assuming that it is joint pain newwer studies on these ingrediens by NIH label them as ineffective ecept possibly but not confinfirmed effect on moderate to sever pain over placebo. In the world of animal nueticutical the onluy one proven effect is cosequin however one must remember the studies on cosequin were funded by the company so there is some bias. The bottom line is the effectiveness of these substance are very much in doubt however there is very little risk to there use. That said if pain is the problem you are likely better off with one of the newer coxx-2 inhibiters for dog like deramaxx ,celecoxib,Rimadyl®,Metacam® which cause fewer gastrointestinal problem with long term use than tradidional nsaids in dogs. Last edited by Mikey T; 10-14-2011 at 11:13 AM.

10-14-2011, 10:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Barney'spal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: northern michigan Posts: 710	I bought this at dr. foster & Smith. Thought it was way too expensive but it's lightweight and can go in different figurations. It's held up nicely....looks like it could use a good cleaning though. Because it's so light, you can move it whereever needed. Attached Thumbnails

10-14-2011, 02:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wworm Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Left Coast Posts: 1,972	wow, that is nice, Barney! I get glucosamine & chondroitin daily (comes in a pill w/other stuff)... mainly for prevention i guess. may not help at all. but it's beef flavored so it is yum. --Worm __________________ see what the Worm is up to: http://bassetworm.blogspot.com/

10-10-2011, 06:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mikey T Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: West Warrwick, RI Posts: 7,729	you can do the same for him the do for the handicapes and either buy or make a ramp if using a ramp to be a genetal enough slope it need to be twice as long as the stair case.

10-14-2011, 07:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
bakinforbassets Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: I live in East Tennessee. Posts: 66	Thanks, My steps are quite steep & there is no room to extend a ramp due to a wall. Has anyone had luck with Glucosamine Chondroiton (sp?)? I've ordered a sling (or whatever you call it) to help lift him on to my bed & into the car etc. He has always had steps to get on the bed but even 3 steps are too much for him now-Bless his little hound heart. Anyhoo thanks for the suggestions. Susan

10-14-2011, 03:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
bakinforbassets Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: I live in East Tennessee. Posts: 66	Thanks for all the info. My vet just said back problems-sorta vague, isn't it. He "goosesteps" his back legs-you know, kicks them out in front of him. Then sometimes he falls over when he cocks his leg to pee. He still manages the 3 small steps to my bed IF I'm not there to lift him up, but the back steps are a regular 13 step, steep, staircase leading to the basement and dog lot. Re: pain, he doesn't seem to be in pain & I tried the Rimadyl for a couple of weeks without seeing any difference. I just thought the Glucosamine might help with stiffness-which he exhibits when he first gets up from sleeping. Love the portable ramp & may show it to my brother for his 2 bassets. However it wouldn't hardly go up the long stairs. I appreciate everyones input. For now I'll just do the best I can. On weekends it's no problem as I can take him out the front door. It's during the week while I'm at work he has issues. I don't mind cleaning up after him & since I'm not a picky housekeeper & live alone (except for my furbabies) it's not a big deal. My large shepherd mix, Molly waits all day but Mr. Peabody must have a bladder the size of a peanut! Thanks again for your info & concern. Susan

10-14-2011, 05:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	poor thing...i think i'd really try to get even a skinny, long board to put on one side of the stairs as a kind of ramp. we should all be so well taken care of in our age! __________________ Baby Bowsah's Bwog

10-14-2011, 05:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
henry'smum Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: arkansas Posts: 686	would this be a good occasion for the artificial grass option if there isnt room for a ramp and Mr Peabody needs to...Pee?

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