It is going to take a long time for all the nails to grow in, but it looks like Worthy's SLO is going into remission. I think it was the B Complex 100 timed release that he was lacking, plus a better quality of Vitamin E. He also gets megadose sodium ascorbate (a dog-safe form of vitamin C), Multidophilus Plus (probiotics from the human health food store), Pet Tabs Plus, and extra virgin olive oil every day.
Worthy has stayed clear of infection in the nails, so has not needed antibiotics--BIG blessing. God bless my veterinarian for telling me to let Worthy lick the toenail to keep infection away. I would not have let him do that. Some dogs will overlick and do damage, but not Worthy. He licks just enough!
He has done some limping for 2 or 3 periods of a few days, in the time since around August that this started. The first time he didn't seem to want to walk hardly at all. But since then it has been much milder. Seldom does he limp at all. And now he is back to running and jumping around.
I have not been taking him out for long walks, because I do not want him to associate work in assisting my disabilities with pain for him. But his maturity is going great. He won't be 3 until April 2nd of 2010, and that is about maturity time for a Standard Poodle male as big as he is. As I told Barbara Lewis, the director of A New Leash on Life, where I really need his help is at home. She said that is the case for most of the disabled people she has placed assistance/service dogs with.
When I am out, my husband is with me, because I do not drive anymore and I am allergic to the whole wide world! So he is usually there to help me. But at home, Worthy is so important. I thank God for him. And now--remission!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47
