Some advice please on the exercise of an overweight dog with arthritis?

I have a 5 and a half year old Chihuahua. She has arthritis in the hip, because it broke when she was a baby. She also has the condition that commonly occurs in small breed dogs, where her trachea collapses or partially collapses causing her to cough. She weighs about 11 pounds weigh 6-8. I want her to lose weight for her health, but it is very difficult because she can not do a lot of physical activity (because of the hip and trachea). I have heard that swimming is one of the best things for her, and we are getting a pool this summer, so I will be able to get into it with her. Anybody know of anything else? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Water therapy has had very positive results in animals and humans, so dog water therapy is a good idea. Just remember that you will need to be carefully monitoring your dog's swimming activities. We have a 12-year-old beagle with arthritis in the spine and hips and dog swimming helps her. Our vet also suggested a supplement that we have had very good results with. It is called Genesis Resources Canine Re-Flex 2. It is a glucosamine supplement plus other good stuff. You may also want to consider dog massages. It can be very pleasant and relaxing for you and your dog. Any veterinarian who prefers a more homeopathic approach will be happy to demonstrate the proper dog massage technique.

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Does anyone know where there is a canine swimming pool in Los Angeles for my dog with arthritis? I just moved back to West Hollywood from Louisville, KY. My dog was swimming 3 times a week there, in a veterinary clinic to improve his arthritis. I have not been able to find water therapy for dogs here and I'm hoping someone can direct me to the right place.

See Spot Swim is a full service Canine Aquatic Center offering hydrotherapy for rehabilitation, therapeutic massage and recreational swimming. They are located in Redondo Beach, CA. Many communities are creating dog swimming services, check your local links and listing.

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Rottweiler enjoying his swim at Dog Swim Spa

As a dog owner, I have had many dogs, but some of them stand out above the rest. I am thinking of dachshund-terrier - a brown 25-pound dog who was more terrier in make-up. She was a feisty dog who loved to adventure. She fended out mice invasions and children adored her. She could jump well and had a good sense of balance.

It was sad when she became an arthritic dog. The canine illness of dog arthritis took her over gradually. As she got older she slowed down, of course, and I noticed that at times she moved stiffly. And while I did not realize it right away, she no doubt had dog joint pain.

But her dog arthritis symptoms really struck home when she began having trouble jumping up into our bed.

Now I am not one to have a dog sleep with us, but this particular dog was allowed to wake us up in the morning or visit us when the mood struck her. And maybe she could have a nap sometimes before she was instructed to go to her own bed. I placed a foot stool at the bottom of the bed. And this allowed her to visit me with two hops into the bed.

I know today that there is much we can do for dogs with arthritis, but I was uninformed back then. I gave here little massages as part of her being petted. Took her on easier walks and helped her when obstacles, that she used to bound over, got in her way.

I asked about a treatment for arthritic dogs from my vet and he mentioned something about dogs osteoarthritis, and treating her with kindness, but there was no real cure. Thankfully she did not seem to be in much pain, her canine arthritis seemed to just limit her agility and eventually her mobility.

After she went to doggy heaven, she did live a long and good life... I was determined to find ways to prevent any new arthritic dogs in my life. And I believe I have succeeded.