lightnin'

...my 14-year old, Mojo is falling and unable to rise on slick floors and (now) concrete more frequently.

I understand age-but what experiences with this has anyone had ? I assume it's not really reversable and perhaps only marginally treatable-but,
aside from laying more rugs and keeping a sharp eye out, what has anyone else done to help your Boxer maintain his quality of life at this advanced age ?

Gypsiemouse

Does he have DM ?

__________________
Lynne- Owned by and Slave to Maggie and Mongo

winnie

I got my old guy grippy socks. They worked well.

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Molly, Mom to Winston (at the bridge 12/6/12 and deeply missed) and Porter

2manydogs

At his age he probably has some arthritis or maybe even DM or Spondylosis. I would get him some grippy socks or even these:

Pawz Dog Boots

They will give him the much needed traction he requires on slippery surfaces.

I would also take him into your vet and look at some form of pain management.

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Kari ~ Keeper, servant and mommy to the following crew



**Proudly Raw fed since 2010**

Camogirl

Our boy, Milo, had DM (degenerative myelopathy). That was my first thought when I read your post. I did as you mentioned and put rubber backed rugs everywhere. Added extra blankets and soft beds for him when he could no longer get up on the couch. I used large bath or beach towels rolled up longways and used it as a sling around his belly so I could help lift him and get him in/out for potty. I know you can buy slings to help but the towel worked for me. It is not treatable, but also not painful, at least that is what I was told. I know it hurt his pride to not be able to do for himself. Average time from diagnosis to the end is about 6 months and that was true in Milo's case. He started out with lameness that I thought was arthritis but then it progressed to the toes on one rear foot would knuckle under and got worse from there. I will post if I think of anything else that we did to help him. We just put him down 4 months ago. I know its really hard to watch them suffer through this.
Take care.

lightnin'

...thanks, folks.

It's sounding like DM. I'm boning-up on it thanks to y'all's input.

He slipped this AM before finishing breakfast and fortunately, I was close by. We'll work with him and make his time as enjoyable as he's made ours the last 12 years.

Meanwhile-his tail continues to wag, eyes to shine, and we're still "best buddies" !

RichMO

We lost our first Boxer Phoenix to DM. She was 8yrs old. It was such a shame to see her going down hill. She still had so much life. We decided we would make her comfortable until she could no longer get around. It was very hard but we put her down, to relieve the suffering. I feel your pain and hope all goes well.

winnie

My Winston had rear leg weakness for the entire 3 years we had him. We rescued him as a senior. It obviously got worse as he aged. I thought when we first brought him home it was DM, but it never advanced and his rear legs never crossed, just weakness. Are his rear legs crossing? It might be spinal arthritis and not DM. Winnie didn't have DM, but he sometimes went down and on our pergo floors, trying to get up was futile as his arthritis got worse. Once when I was at work he had apparently fallen on the pergo and laid there, I don't know how long. It was horrible. I heard him barking as I got out of the car. He was exhausted and dehydrated from trying to get up. He was so tired he couln't even stand up. I had to carry him outside to pee, and fed and watered him from his bed. The next day he was all right, but a little sore. I got the socks with rubber skids on the bottom for him. They worked very well and he didn't mind wearing them at all. I would suggest getting several pairs since they get dirty quick especially if he wears them outside. I am hoping it isn't DM and that something as simple as little grippy socks with help.

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Molly, Mom to Winston (at the bridge 12/6/12 and deeply missed) and Porter

TrishLePlat

I thought Harley had DM when he first started to collapse and "frog-leg" as we ended up calling it. He ended up being diagnosed with a brain tumor. It eventually progressed to his front legs, and on his last days his respiratory and circulatory systems were shutting down.
We treated with 400 iu of vitamin e and vitmain b50 complex. It seemed to help keep him lucid and stronger for a bit longer than I think he would have without.

Bling1981

Just lost my boy to DM this week, he was struggling to get around and falling even on all the rugs we put around the house. I couldnt stand to see him unable to go for his walks which he loved so much. I will miss him so much but it wasnt fair to keep him going without him being able to do the things he has loved for his whole life.

Keep an eye on mojo when he walks the first sign I noticed (although didnt reliase what it was) was about a year ago while walking i would hear his feet scraping on the concrete. It was very gradual until the last few weeks when he got bad. his nails on his rear legs would bleed even just going to the toilet in the garden bless him and would fall trying to do his business too. He was still a happy boy wagging his tail so Im happy he went a happy dog.

if anyone needs any help with symptoms please let me know.

RIP Busta