Kuma has Spondylosis :(

Hi there,

We had a weekend away for my sisters wedding. Left Kuma with the normal dog sitter.

Picked him up on sunday and all was fine. Come Monday morning when my wife took him out for his normal walk, he got about 10 mins in and he just started crying out, laid down and would not move. She got him home and after I got back from the hospital (had a fall down a hill) we took him to the vets. He would not walk down stairs I had to carry him (whilst in a neck brace) he didn't know how to stand or sit. Was crying really loud.

We get to the vets and they said his abdomen was really hard. They kept him in for xrays of his stomach. We got a call a couple of hours later where we were told that whilst looking at his xrays they noticed his lower spine is basically fusing together (spondylosis).

We went to pick him up and saw the xrays. One part is quite severe. About 6 or so vertibrae are fused to some extent.

They were quite vague about what to do and we got the fealing they were holding back as my wife was really emotional due to Kumas pain/crying.

We got him home and he was still bad despite injections. We then took him back as he could not eat. He wanted to but could not get comfy. They said he would be this way until the painkillers kicked in. He seemed to settle a bit over the next two days and today is almost back to normal. A bit out of sorts but thats due to the pain killer apparently.

After reading about spondylosis and how it basically leads to paralysis we are obviously very worried for him.

The vet was unsure whether the pain is due to that or if its because he pulled something whilst staying with the dog sitter and playing with his bullmastiff.

However this is the second time this year he has gone in due to being in some kind of pain. it wasnt bad last time, but he wouldn't raise his head so we thought neck problem. That faded after a couple of days however.

Has anyone had this issue with their dogs before?

We've done some reading and will start adding fish oil (natural anti inflammatory) to his diet. Also a higher dose of glucosomine/msm and chondroitin, as the currant blend we give him seems low on the last two.

We've also read about cetyl M which is apparently really good for dogs with spondylosis. However the main dog supplement for this seems quite expensive considering there is another human brand for considerably cheaper. I'm guessing the main difference is that the dog one is beef flavoured so dogs will eat it easier. http://www.amazon.co.uk/advanced-cetyl-joint-action-formula/dp/B0013M06EO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342018166&sr=8-2 VS http://www.amazon.co.uk/Natrol-Laci-Le-Beau-Teas/dp/B000SAPDGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342020023&sr=8-1

Can't seem to find anything on doseage per cap/tab for these two so difficult to compare really. I know the dog one recommends a loading phase which for Kumas weight is 8 tabs a day!

Any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks in advance, we are really worried for Kuma.