Ebony Susan Riley

Question:
 I need solid sound advice that is helpful concerning my Ebony Susan Riley. She has a knee problem that needs addressed, but she has a weight issue as well. Let me explain her history and where we're at with her at this time and then perhaps I can sort out what ya'll think and what I think and do what's best for "Suzy," as I often call her. Ebony Susan Riley's story: "I've I have to stop I'll create post after post undtil I finish her story. One day my husband called me from his work place and said, honey, guess what's under my truck. It's black with a wet nose, four paws and a tail. I think she needs help. Oh no I thought, this can't be happening! I already have a dog, and a bird and that's quite enough pets for us! Well, I ended up driving 15 miles to pick this beautiful pup up. A guess at the vet's office after scanning her put her about 6 months of age. To make a long story short, I understand my husband was observing the school yard, "Where he worked, watching children coming and going and parents dropping their children off. In the confusion Ebony was trying to find her people. She even tried climbing into a car and was booted out, the door shut on her, and her knee might have been caught in the hustle of whomever's car it was she was trying to get into, but we didn't pick up on that right away, "That she had an injured knee." We took her to the vet to see if she was microchipped so we could return her to her owner who obviously would miss her. And then we asked around for weeks for her owner, but noone came forward to claim her. And then within that time frame we noticed something was wrong with Ebony. Her eyes ran a steady stream. Not just one but both eyes. I thought she had sand in them but no matter how often I wiped the tears from her beautiful brown eyes she kept squinting, and the tears were back so we took her to the vet who informed us that she had entropian eye and that it would only be a matter of time before she would be blind if she did not have surgery to repair the condition. We took Ebony home realizing that this was probably the reason she was most likely "Dumped!" We decided that where she was in our care, and we wanted the very best for her that we decided it was in her best interest to be spade, her eye lids repaired, and her front dew claws removed, and since no one had come forward, and we never wanted to see her abandoned ever again we microchipped her as well.Ebony has such a sweet disposition. She wants to be everybody's mommy. She mothered our son's Minpin, and our current cat. She recently tried to mother our neighbors "Human baby, but we all know that went over like a lead ballon, especially since Ebony is 116 lbs. Now it's a battle of losing weight to repair her knee. We've over time been to see three to four different vets. Some have said, it won't do any good regardless of weight loss because if you repair it, the other knees will blow too. At least there is a possibility of that. At least one said the knee surgery is needed, but the weight has to come off first so this is very confusing to me. All that's happened is cross fire about it, a few rymadil pills. I refuse to give them to Ebony each and every night. I only give her a half pill if she's limping terribly or if she begins to cry out in her sleep. As for her exercise: The winter months are putting a damper on what I can and cannot do since I have some limited mobility issues myself, not to mention her favorite new swimming creek is empty and it is winter. As per the diet that part according to you good folks I need to change around, and I'm listening, and trying to puzzle what I can do to make it easier for Ebby to lose the weight and possibly have the surgery if it's what really is best for her. but the question is, how do I know if the surgery will work? If she loses the weight will it eliminate the problem so she won't have to have the surgery? There's just literally dozens of questions about it that are leaving me feeling very confused. Ebony matters greatly to me, us, and we want her to have the best we can give her in health care. I'm not up to the expensive dog foods that are for weight loss we've tried them and like humans she's turned her nose up at them and refuses to eat.I do however mix atta boy or old roy together for Ebby and Princess. I like one for Ebony, but it's very expensive, and I am on a budget. Lamb and rice? The dogs will eat it for two or three days and then they treat it like it's poison and refuse to eat it.The greenbean idea I like. Portion control is a must and many of you have presented some good ideas. I'm considring them so we can get Ebony's leg healed if it's at all possible. so any additonal ideas of what to do to help her feel better, I'm all ears. I am however not into the blame and shame game. I don't play it, and won't take any blame for Ebby being overweight especially when I have reason that it's somewhat in Ebby's genetics, and that yes if I forget sneaks the other pets food if I haven't gathered it up quickly enough. Feeding her in her crate is a faboulous idea! it's not one I thought of. Thank you folks for thinking of it. Anyway, I look forward to hearing about the ideas that will help Suzy, "That is one of her many nicknames to feel well and whole again. Thanks Sage.
Answer:
 http://www.naturalcanine.com/ Sage please go to this website it could be of great alue to you it is known for it homeopathic haeling on moat anything you dog could need. Regardless if it is obesity or knee problems. I hope this helps dear sage. It is the website I go to for help when I need it for my7 animals and It even had a great kit for my neighbors dog with Lupus taht I hope she will be concidering. My thoughts and vibes of caring go to you and Suzy.
Answer:
 Sage, this has been going on on here for at least a week. You have been given excellent information on how to get weight off her by very knowledgeabe people off list & on - yet you are still "considering". The simple fact is, you just don't WANT to do anything because you don't want to deny her food. You are in denial that she is obease even tho several vets have told you so. In fact I would guess the reason you took her to all those vets is that you were hoping one would not mention her weight. No one can guarantee you ANY surgery will work 100% & yes frequently the second knee will blow after surgery on the first, as it is stressed because of bearing most of the weight while the first can't be used - so it will blow if you DON'T get the surgery too. Have you started her on the supplement that was suggested to help her? Apparently not since you are still using the rimadyl but allowing her to suffer before you finally give her "half a pill"! You are feeding this dog garbage for food that is full of corn which packs weight on - yet say you have NO responsibility for her being overweight. Is she filling her bowl herself? Going to the store to buy it? This dog is not going to loose an ounce until you accept responsibility, as you should, for it & elect to change. The "oh pity me, I'm handicapped" doesn't float with me. I have 2 dogs that I walk 3 times a day using a scooter because I can't do any walking either.