[Thrash]

Cheech, my Spitz/Chihuahua is going through a rough time right now. Around May of 2009 I went out to feed her and found her seemingly paralyzed from the waste down, barely being able to move and falling over when I tried to sit her up.
I took her to the vet and it turned out that she was extremely constipated and she was having spinal problems. Something happened (not sure what, since she is chained up......) and her vertabrae in one spot had started pushing against each other, if I recall correctly. The vet gave her an enema, which helped a little bit with the constipation and gave me some stuff to rub on her back and told me to help her walk around by holding up her midsection a few times a day to help rehabilitate her. Eventually, a few weeks later she was back to walking, and up until a few days ago she was running and jumping around and sliding and just having the time of her life.

A few days ago she was not looking too well and just laid around, not even getting up to eat. She moaned a lot and whimpered. I felt her stomach and it felt like it did when she was constipated. Her back is giving her trouble again and she is having a hard time walking, which I think has compounded the constipation problem.
What is a good way to help soften her waste so her constipation clears up and does not become a frequent problem? I have been giving her chicken noodle soup, as the vet told me to do before, and I mixed some bran cereal in it. Is this ok to do? Should I give her a human stool softener?

[Thrash]

She also probably has arthritis..... she is around twelve years old.

[Gods*Armygirl]

I've heard the fiber is good to help with that. I would also suggest moistening her food, but it seems you've gone all the way with that by giving her chicken noodle soup. Be sure she's getting enough liquid. I think you should call the vet and ask if there is anything else you can do. They should be able to suggest something without you having to go in. But if it doesn't go away soon or gets worse you should take her in because permanent problems can develop from it.

[Kentl]

Originally Posted by Thrash

She also probably has arthritis..... she is around twelve years old.

I’m not trying to be mean but this is proebly the full reason no mater how well you take care of a dog a old dog is a old dog

[OiBoyz]

Check with the vet before giving her stool softener. I'm not sure if it's safe for dogs. You can probably safely do an enema. You can get a fleets at your drugstore. The bran will probably help after she gets cleaned out.

I'm sorry to hear she's having problems, but twelve is old. Watch her to make sure she's not suffering. If she is and is not fixable, please do the right thing and let her go.