Yes you read that right, Arnold goes swimming, every Thursday evening. Now before you judge us as one of those weird couples that enroll their dog in extra-curricular activities like he is a human, just know we are doing this for Arn to help him! Arnold was diagnosed with hip and elbow dysplasia about 2 months ago. The vet suggested we get Arnold involved in some low impact activities, like swimming. A few months back, maybe around the end of August, we noticed Arnold would limp. Usually it happened when he would get up from laying down, we thought maybe his legs would fall asleep. So we took him to the vet, and they put him on an anti-inflammatory. It seemed to help for a little bit, but soon after he was done the meds, his limp would come back. So back he went to the vet, and they put him on another round of anti-inflammatories. I asked if maybe they needed to take x-rays, but they assured me it was growing pains due to his size and how rapidly he grew. Once again, soon after he was done the meds the limp was back, but by now we are in November about to come home for Thanksgiving. We boarded him at a place called Enchantment Pet Resort. It was his first time staying there, we set him up in a queen sized room, with lots of space. Also lots of playtime. After we return from our 2 week stay in NJ, I pick him up and they told me how uncomfortable Arnold seemed. He visited with their massage therapist (yes, they have one especially for the animals, who also teaches swim lessons there) and they also changed his room to a bigger room with an even more padded bed (all free of charge, this place and the people who work there truly care about animals) So poor Arn came home that day, and was whining when he would lay down and get up. So I called the vet and left a msg. The next day after, no call back, I called again, and still no call back. Irritated, I decide to call another vet. I truly felt like we weren't getting any answers about what was wrong with him anyway. So I call the new vet, I got him in 30 minutes later! As soon as he was seen, they wanted to do x-rays, which reveal his hip & elbow dysplasia! He was put on a steriod for a month, which really helped. He now takes Glucosamine supplements daily. We switched his food to one with Glucosamine as well and.....he swims once a week! Unfortunately once a dog has this condition, its permanant, and will also lead to arthritis when he's older. As much as I was relieved to have a diagnosis for him, I was so annoyed that for months he was in pain, and his old vet didn't do more to help him! But we feel at the new vet, they really care about him, so he's definitely in better hands! The more he can build his muscles up now, the easier it will be for him to get around when he is older and the arthritis kicks in! We love Arnold like a child, so we want nothing but the best for him!
Arnold in his life vest ready to go swimming!
(For those of you who haven't had the true pleasure of meeting Arnold, he is a Greater Swiss Mountain dog. He's 95 lbs and will be 2 years old in March. Friends of ours in Dawson Creek had 2 Greater Swiss Mountains, that's how we heard of the breed, he is absolutely great with Molly and such a great family dog, always wanting to be right with us!! We love our Arnold!)
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