My 8-year-old Mini Schnauzer walks slow, won't jump, and twitches.

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. I suspect Hank may have some arthritis. It is very common for dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes to get arthritis as they age. The only true way to definitely diagnose arthritis would be with x-rays. I suggest you take Hank to your vet for an examination - there may be obvious clues to the vet that arthritis (or something else) is present. In the meantime you can try using a joint supplement that is made for dogs (not humans). I would use one that has the following ingredients: glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). The MSM is very important as it is a natural anti-inflammatory. I would suggest one of the following products; ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198943_Home.pml?productId=118402 ) ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198943_Home.pml?productId=115737 ) ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198943_Home.pml?productId=116465 ) It usually takes 6-8 weeks before you notice any difference once you start giving it to him so it use for a minimum of 2 months. If after that he does not seem to be doing much better you should really take him in to your vet for an exam. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. 17.5 years old is great! My late dachshund just passed away in June and was 20 years old. It's always nice to have a friend that sticks around this long! It sounds as though Zak may be dealing with some arthritic pain causing him difficulty to position himself to defecate. I would recommend starting joint supplements and pain medications to see if this helps. I would also add fiber to his diet such as canned pumpkin or green beans to help normalize his stool movements. I would have a veterinarian examine Zak and discuss pain medication and joint supplement options with you . I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns that I may help you with.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Diamond is adorable! It does sound like she is somewhat painful as she is hesitant to do normal activities. This can be caused by arthritis - pretty much any joint can be affected as well as the spine. Your vet can perform a thorough orthopedic exam and x-rays to isolate the signs to a particular part of the body. Certain conditions such as Lyme disease and autoimmune disease also cause generalized joint pain and can be ruled out with bloodwork. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have about Diamond!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain though it could also be due to arthritis. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. I recommend that you have Sausage evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Sausage feel better. In the meantime, reduce his activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good day!

I am very sorry to hear that Jake seems less eager to jump then he used to be. This is a very common problem with older small- medium dogs. Though it is difficulty to say exactly what is the cause, I would be worried about osteoarthritis in Jake's hip joints. A vet would be able to diagnose with a physical examination as well as potentially using an X-ray to visualise the changes in Jake's lower back, Such as slipped discs, knees, and hip joints. Because Jake seems otherwise very well in himself I would advise adding a supplement to his diet to help with joint health. There are several of these on the market currently. Look for Glucosamine & Chondroitin in the labels, and always buy a pet formulated brand, as doses are different for humans. I would also advise a change in his exercise regime to promote lean muscle mass development. Muscle wastage is a common contributing factor in older dogs. More frequent, but shorter walks will benefit Jake. For example, two 20 minute walks, One in the morning and one in the evening If you notice that Jake is particularly sore after a walk you can apply a cool compress to hip area I hope this answer was helpful and if you believe that Jake is not benefiting from these tactics I advise a trip to the veterinarian to ensure noting more is occuing.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Star! I am assuming when you say he has difficulty walking after defecating that he is walking hunched like he still has to poop? I see that Star isn't neutered, I would have your Vet feel his prostate to make sure it isn't enlarged and painful. Intact male dogs are at risk for benign prostate enlargement, inflammation of the prostate and prostate infections. As the prostate enlarges it can press on the colon or the bladder and make urinating and defecating challenging. I would also want be sure he doesn't have any back pain too. It still could be his anal glands and they could be still empty but inflamed and need antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. I hope this helps and please feel free to contact me with any further questions.

I would recommend that you get Sophie in to see your veterinarian. A thorough physical exam will help you and your vet determine if there is pain anywhere (arthritis, etc) that may be causing her to slow down. It would also be indicated to run some blood tests on her to see if there are any other medical issues going on that may be causing her symptoms. Pain can sometimes cause twitching or small muscle spasms --especially if they are having back or neck pain. If that's the case your vet may be able to recommend therapeutic laser treatments and/or acupuncture. These methods of treatment along with medications can make a huge difference. I am so sorry we weren't able to get to your question sooner. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!