Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs. They are happiest when they are with their owners. Labs tend to be quite patient with children, which makes them wonderful family dogs. They require attention and love as much as food and water. Labradors require a lot of exercise, this is especially true since most Labradors love to eat! However, health problems can arise as the puppy grows into an older dog. A particular problem among this breed is hip dysplasia.

My precious fourteen year old black lab had hip dysplasia which included the following symptoms: she was running with a “ bunny hopping ” gait, showing stiffness and pain in her hind legs after exercise or first thing in the morning, she had difficulty to climb stairs and was less willing to participate in normal daily activities. Over time, the illness made it very difficult for him to get up from a sleeping or sitting position. Owners attribute these changes to normal aging, but once treatment is started, they are surprised to see that gait becomes more normal and pain-free again. Veterinarians may suggest weight loss and Rimadyl, which is anti-inflammatory and pain relieving. Weight loss was a nice option for me, but the medications were questionable. Medications have side effects and Rimadyl is no exception. NSAIDs carry the risk of side effects or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some can be serious, especially if pain relievers are not used according to label directions. Some reactions cause permanent damage or even death. The search for alternative methods became imminent and one of them was bee sting therapy.

Hillsboro, Ohio, is the home of a prominent Apitherapist, Jim Higgins. Jim is a beekeeper and president of the Highland County Beekeepers Association. He is also a member of the Board of the American Apitherapy Society (AAS) and the Ohio State Beekeepers Association. He studied Bee Venom Therapy with world teacher Charles Mraz of Middlebury, Vermont, and has visited China twice on Apitherapy. He suggested bee sting therapy and provided a bee box and set of long forceps for sting administration. His instruction was to chop the hip 4-5 times twice a week for a month. The procedure was faithfully implemented and Sonny was carefully watched for clues as to its effectiveness. Sonny gradually began to walk normally; playing with his toys and sleeping in his box. It was very enlightening! That was in 2008. She is still in good health and requests to play with her rubber hedgehog every day.