Back and Joint Problems of Pekingese Dogs

The Long and Short of It

Because Pekingese dogs have long bodies and rather short legs, they are quite susceptible to back problems, particularly with slipped discs. They are also prone to dislocated kneecaps. In the interest of preventing these potential problems from happening, you should not allow or encourage them to jump up and down onto and from high places such as sofas, or steep inclines such as stairs.

Immediate injury most likely wont happen if he does so, but consistently jumping up and down will eventually take its toll on the dog's spine and joints, gradually contributing to degenerative arthritis. The effect will be constant limping and obvious pain, most likely when he's in his elder years, which will need a lot of vet visits and medication to deal with. It is a chronic disease, meaning you will be able to provide ways to help your dog cope with the pain, but he will carry the disease for the remainder of his life.

This is not the fate you want for your Peke! If your Pekingese wants to join you on the couch or up the stairs, make every effort to carry him and not allow him to follow you on his own. If you don't have a problem with not having him go up onto such places, it would be best to teach him to keep away from them. He'll probably give you his patented "Huh? Why?" face, so it will take a little nerve on your part to enforce the rules. But don't feel bad about it; he'll get over it a lot quicker than you.

When lifting your Peke, try to support the length of his back by placing one hand under the chest and the other under the stomach.

Caring for your Pekingese at Home

It's certainly frustrating owning a dog and being unable to determine whether your dog is sick, how sick he or she is, and how to help. Taking your Pekingese to the vet will certainly answer your questions. But vet visits are expensive, and it can be impractical to call up the clinic about every little thing that might indicate your dog is not well.

A solution I found is one of the most popular dog ownership books offered today, and it's called Veterinary Secrets Revealed. This book was created by a veterinarian for dog owners who constantly find themselves in this position. The book has about a thousand different home remedies, many of which involve simple household items, and covers a broad range of issues, from simple things like dandruff to serious conditions like parasites and arthritis.

Here is the link again: Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

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