old dog

Question
i have recently met an older dog, maybe 15 years old, cocker spaniel, that is having older dog problems and what seems to be a poor reaction to anything with chicken in it. She has almost no fur and most of her is full of crusty, scabie area or is furless.

When she has chicken she gets diarrhea.

How can her owner get her to regrow her fur and what do you recommend for weak back legs that may be arthritis related or possibly dysplasia?

Answer
Hi Tamma
Firstly - simply don't feed her chicken.  Read the labels on what you are giving her to make sure there is no chicken in there.  Most chicken, unless organic and free-range, will be full of additives and chemicals that are no good for anyone.  Secondly, I would not be feeding her dry (kibble) or canned food in any event.  Some fresh cooked veggies (carrots, broccoli, beans) mixed with some lightly cooked meats would be best for her.  I would usually recommend raw, but for an older dog that is not used to raw foods it can be digestively upsetting.  No rice or pasta as this is too much for her body to cope with.  
To this I would add some supplements such as Flax Seed oil.  Adding about 1/2 tablespoon to daily meals.  I would also recommend you purchase a high quality supplement such the Berigora Farm Everyday EXTRA Supplement. If you are able to get this then I would suggest using the flax seed oil for about 2-4 weeks only to give her a boost, and then cut it out as the supplement will have enough in there.  

It is available at:  www.berigorafar,.com.au under the "Berigora Farm Natural Products" tab.  
This product will make a huge difference to how she is looking and feeling.

As for her hind quarters - I would suggest you find a canine therapist in your area who can massage her regularly and treat with either acupuncture, acupressure or some craniosacral work.  If you go to www.equinecraniocacral.com you can find out where there is a therapist in your area.  They cover both horses and dogs.  I can't stress the importance of this highly enough.  She may never have had any type of massage or body work, and her poor old bones and muscles will absolutely relish a regular treatment.

I would also look at adding some magnesium to her daily diet.  This is a vital mineral as we age and will help her joints as well as help to ease any pain or discomforts.  


Go to www.globallight.net

There you can purchase magnesium oil which you can massage gently into her hips and lower back and knees on a daily basis.  You can also purchase some NanoMagnesium from them.  Add this to her daily meals or drinking water at half the recommended dose.  Try her on one bottle of this, as with the supplement and the massage oil it should be enough of an initial boost to make some positive changes.

Make sure she has lots of soft warm bedding that is well-padded and a decent woollen waterproof coat for winter if she is outdoors.  
I hope this offers you some starting place.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch again.
With thanks,
Silva.
www.roxysworld.com.au