Laydee and Canine Osteoarthritis
Cute sign at the Vet Office
Yesterday evening, we noticed our 12-year-old Labrador, Laydee, was having difficulty with her hips. She has Canine Osteoarthritis and has been on arthritis medication twice daily for a few years. It’s distressing to witness her struggles, as we share a deep emotional bond with her and have always loved doting on our pets. Some say we spoil them...
Our motto is:
"They're not spoiled, just well-loved,"
It's hard to keep a Black Lab down!
When my pets have health issues, it stirs deep maternal feelings within me. Although it can be overwhelming, I seek clarity and often turn to prayer, believing that God hears us—even for our pets. After all, He is the creator of all living things, and everything recognizes its Creator.
Job 12:7-10 reinforces that creation acknowledges God's power. Job uses this passage to assert his innocence and highlight that God's authority extends over all living things, showing that every creature knows the hand of the Lord is behind their existence.
I prayed for wisdom and a calm spirit to make a knowledgeable decision. I also prayed for healing and comfort for Laydee. Remember, God cares about every aspect of our lives and is always listening to our prayers
This morning, as Laydee struggled to walk, it brought back painful memories of Daisey Mae, a German Shepherd/Lab mix I rescued at age 9 from an abusive environment. She was hours away from being put down when I found her on Facebook. We shared two wonderful years together.
Unfortunately, her health declined when she became paralyzed due to arthritis and previous abuse, leading to the heartbreaking decision of euthanasia—a choice no pet owner wants to face. Seeing Laydee's struggles reminded me of the emotional challenges that come with caring for aging pets and the heartache of pet ownership.
It is an experience all pet owners will eventually embrace.
Partners in Crime
Susie the cat sensed something was off with Laydee and offered her comfort.
Off to the vet, we went...
We opted for a monthly shot of Librela, an antibody that blocks pain from osteoarthritis in dogs. It takes weeks to see results, and if there's no improvement, it could indicate a nerve issue.
We'll face that if it comes to it, but I'm not thinking about that right now.
The Doctor provided useful tips to improve her quality of life, including a hallway carpet runner for better traction, instead of our wood floor - favoring short walks, and a lifting strap for car access. Although she's 10 pounds overweight, my husband admitted to giving her treats...Grrrr! It's his soft heart and her charming brown eyes.
He has also built a ramp for her to get on our bed and a step for the sofa, a few weeks ago.
Remember, she's not spoiled, just well-loved.
She’s back on her diet, and we love that she prefers vegetables and fruit to doggy biscuits! Carrots, peas, green beans, apples, oranges, and an egg each day keep her happy.
At 12 years old, we know her time is limited, but we'll continue to focus on giving her a beautiful, painless life for however long she stays with us.
The joy she brings to us makes every moment worth it.
If you have a cat or dog, please share something about your furry baby!
Till next time,
Debby
I am just entering the arena of being a pet parent...with these two adopted neighborhood kitties who live outside and prefer to be "free" to come and go as they please. As you know, we've been transitioning them from our neighbor's house to our house for meals. Yesterday was good, but today only the yellow cat showed up for breakfast. Apparently Blackie showed up later after lunch and ate his food, but I never saw him. So far tonight, and it is now 8:30, neither one has showed up to eat their supper. The time change is making it difficult for me as now our schedule is different than theirs. Hopefully they will get this figured out as they get hungry, they will realize they have to come here to eat. We'll get it figured out eventually. I hope your Laydee feels better soon. (((hugs))). I love the picture of the cat and Laydee looking out the window together. That is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWhen they get hungry enough they’ll remember where the food is. Little boogers!
DeleteI think it’s wonderful that you stepped in to help these homeless cats. Some cats like being outside. I had one like that. It will work out!
You are sure doing the right thing!!! Animals are each different like us, and have emotions and love! I sure hope the meds work! We lost our beloved cat Simba not too long ago from arthritis.
ReplyDeleteI remember that. It’s heartbreaking. I hope the shots work too. But it will take a couple of shots before it really kicks in.
DeleteI have granddogs. We love taking the sheepadoodle and Bernese Moutain dog for walks. They're just so fun and active. They lost the world's best and sweetest Berner a couple of years ago--Shep. The whole family still talks about how wonderful and sweet he was.
ReplyDeleteAww, walking dogs are fun. I can still shed tears over previous pets.
DeleteI have two grandcats! Harry and Ed. Lol
because of our age, we adopt dogs over 7 when one leaves us for that bridge and I know how you feel. None of our shelter seniors has ever died in their sleep, we have had to choose their time and its hard, but they get love from the day we find them until that last moment. Beau will be our last rescue, he is 11 which is old for a Dane mix, he is going through dispalsia and has been on gabapentin for 3 years, now we are battling Cushing's. we are to old and battling our own health issues now, that is why I say he will be our last.. prayers for Laydee and for you as you go through this with her. hugs
ReplyDeleteThat’s a good idea. I can’t do puppies anymore. We got Laydee when she was 8 months old and she was a handful. It’s so sad to see our pets age.
DeleteI agree that God cares! We have no pets now, but had a chocolate lab when the kids were young and had several cats. They do become part of the family.
ReplyDeleteAww I hope sweet Lady remains comfortable for the rest of her life. We still have two cats who are 18 years old. Each time we have had to say goodbye to a pet it is so heartbreaking. After these two cats are gone there will be no more pets in our house. I wont be able to handle the heartbreak anymore!
ReplyDeleteSending a BIG hug. I know you know our story about Ernie our rescue dog. He has been a true gift to me because of the situation regarding our neighbors boyfriend. We rescued him and he honestly helped me get strong again. I had lost my courage. And I know God worked in all of this. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove, Carla
How I needed to see this today -- the 12th anniversary of my heart-dog's passing. (Yes, even after all this time I still grieve.) No matter our love and prescription meds, her heart disease was, in part, to Tom's sharing his pizza and similar 'wrong' things. When we adopted Macie and Grace -- 12 years this summer -- he swore he wouldn't do that anymore, but. (*heavy sigh*) Macie's already exhibiting some issues with her legs and as a result of their most recent labs, both are on daily liver supplements. I don't believe there's such a thing as "too spoiled" ... they're our babies and we do whatever it takes to keep them comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling us about Laydee and please give her a big hug from me and the girls.
I feel your pain for your precious pets. We had a Granddogger named Snickerdoodle.
ReplyDeleteShe was our son's family dog and a sweet Labordoodle. She was large and thought she was a tiny lap dog.. we do still miss her and her silly "smile". The kids had to finally make the decision to have her cross that "Bridge" She really was sick and had a tumor which they didn't know about until the end.
We would dog sit her when the kids went away and I still miss her sleeping on my feet while I puttered on the computer.
Sue
While I do not have any dogs or cats, I do have granddogs....7 of them to be exact. Each and every one of them are so spoiled. Our oldest daughter's dog is having some issues and they have already had to have a cancer removed from his eye and the vet suspects that he has it in other places inside his body. Trist and hubby are having to make some decisions on what to do. Makes me sad....Taz has been a very good dog and he is a great watch dog when her husband is gone. Hope your fur babies do well and that the meds work
ReplyDeletePraying the new medication can give your sweet Laydee some comfort. Whatever time she has, she is blessed to be so well loved. Not spoiled!!:) but oh so loved!!
ReplyDeletePets do become members of our family. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear Laydee is not doing well. I've had dogs all my life, and they do become part of the family. Although, most of them were big outside dogs who loved to roam the back yards. I hope she gets the proper care and treatment with the Vet. And that is a great list of what dogs can and can't eat. I'll pass that on to Nel, as she just got a new dog. They sure are loyal companions, aren't they?
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Prayers that Laydee's meds help. It is hard for pet parents to handle pets when they get older. It is always such a hard choice that we have to make because they are our family. Janice
ReplyDeleteWe had to put our beloved Disco down a couple of years ago. I have to be honest - still not over it. But God does care for us all.
ReplyDeletePets certainly do become part of the family. I hope that the new medicine helps. If not, I hope God will help you know what the plan of action should be.
ReplyDelete