Update on the new dog:

[hedgehog]

She is settling in slowly. I think she is a cross bt a greyhound and a Golden Retriever, if you can imagine such a thing. She's gorgeous, but also very, very old. (14years)

She's still trying to figure things out, and spends her time pacing back and forth in the house. She's secure enough to lie doan and take a nap when she's tired.


There's some occasional minor growling going on. I stop a lot of it by chiding the two dogs I already had. It's the little Spitz who is half the size who causes most of the trouble. If it looks to be escalating (the new dog lifting her lip ) I put her into the crate so all the dogs have a time out.

[Major Nikon]

1. Arthritis is often an issue with dogs this old

Certainly in your case it could be due to nervousness associated with a new home. I had an old dog that started pacing around a lot and it was because it was painful for her to lay down so she would only do so when she was completely exhausted.

[hedgehog]

2. She does have one hip that is very weak - it slips

out from under her is she is not sure of her footing. It doesn't seem painful - just weak. I know she passed up her bed to lie down on the wood floor yesterday. I expect to take her to the vet soon because she doesn't have any tags and probably should get her rabies vaccination.

[Major Nikon]

3. It's also not a bad idea to have blood work done

Old dogs often have liver and/or kidney problems which can be treated by either diet or medicine. I had an old dog that often preferred to lay down on a hard floor for whatever reason even though she did have joint pain.

[riderinthestorm]

4. Good job! Also be sure to ask your vet if there's any pain relief meds you can give her

if you do suspect she's in pain.

I give my old girl a daily joint supplement since she has hip dysplasia to try to keep her old bones lubricated but sometimes if she's played too hard, she gets a baby aspirin in the evening.

You are wonderful for taking this old girl in!

[hedgehog]

5. I really think she is just learning the new space

and/or looking for her former owner( ). As I said, she seems to be settling in and eating better and taking treats. I have some with glucosmine in them and the others are salmon bits, so she's getting the OTC supplements.

[avebury]

6. I had an older large dog that,

when I put her on Buffalo dog food for Sr Dogs (because it had glucosamine and chondroitin that she seemed to get around a lot better. I know that Buffalo brand dog food is expensive and there are other brands that have glucosamine and chondroitin in some of their dog food. I eventually switch to Authority (Petsmart's brand) and she did just as well.

[hedgehog]

7. A lot of people think glucosmine is woo, but my mixed

hound dog and my husband both seem to get around better when they take it.

[avebury]

8. Yup. The only change I made was in her food and

she definitely seemed to get around a lot better. Not everyone realizes that it is not an overnight cure but something the dog needs to be on for a while to see its impact.