Any vets out there?

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
I have a chow/lab mix who just turned 16. She's gained quite a bit of weight during the last year or two b/c she's been much less active (also she's toothless so can only eat canned food, which is pretty high in fat).

Anyway, during the last 6 months or so she's gotten kind of unstable. Her back legs go out from under her pretty frequently--I'm guessing hip displasia--& she gets mad & snaps at me when I try to help her up. She's really struggling now just to make it up the stairs, a couple times she got stuck in the middle of the staircase & just couldn't move. She can't get into my mini SUV--usually I have to pick her up & put her in (no easy task, she's over 90 lbs).

I'm really afraid to take her to the vet b/c I guess I don't want to know if there's anything seriously wrong. I know every time I go to the dr. they find something wrong w/me that I knew nothing about. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, she's still happy & smiling. But if there's something I can do to help her I want to. I'm just scared--she's been with me through every major event in my life & I can't lose her.
 
Hello. I'm a not a vet, but I have a dog who is a few months shy of 16. I really can't believe she's still around, and I feel so blessed because she is! Anyway, I mostly wanted to let you know I sympathize with what you are going through. I worry about my dog so much. When I talked to a vet a couple of years ago about arthritis in my dog he told me I should not let her jump and to avoid steps. He said a dog can't use a cane like a person in the same predicament, so just to avoid these things when possible. My dog only weighs 50 pounds though, so it's easier on me. Is your dog on any supplements or Rimadyl? These have helped my dog tremendously. The vet may tell you your dog has Cognitive Dysfunction as well (I think that's what it's called) because of the snapping, etc. I think it's like dementia in humans. You can do a search on the internet and find out about it. Sorry I can't really help. I just wanted to say that I understand. Hopefully you will get some good responses!

Take care,
Teresa
 
Laura, I'm not a vet either, but I think that it would be to your benefit and hers to take her to the vet. The vet at least could perscribe her a pain killer and maybe if her hips are inflamed an anti inflamatory. If you don't want her to be put down, they will do whatever they can to keep her going. My Aunt had a cocker spaniel that had all sorts of ailments as she grew older, including cancer and she could hardly walk. The vet put her on some meds to help her out and she was able to walk again and I think that pulled her threw her last 2 years of life.
I hope that this helped. I know how hard it is to watch your pal get older and realise that they are mortal.

Kathy
 
Yeah I broke down & made an appt, but I couldn't get one until next Tuesday. I hope I never have to make the decision of putting her down, I don't think I'm strong enough & I'm too selfish, I want her around as long as possible. But I don't want her to suffer either.

She's not on any meds right now & I've tried to avoid them. I'll do it if it'll help her though. She's been with me almost half my life, I just can't imagine her not being here.
 
again, not a vet here, but i too have an older dog, a 13 year old pug. he has curvature of the spine and the vet says he has pinched nerves that have left his back legs pretty much numb. he can still walk, but can't feel anything down there. he can't go up and down stairs, and sometimes slips on the wood floors and can't get up. he is in no pain, and is still quite spirited, but i feel so bad when i see him struggling to get around. i know how you feel about the fear of having to decide to put him down. i have told myself that the day gomez can no longer stand up and walk, is the day we must go in and say goodbye as i know he would not be happy just laying there. in fact this past monday, i thought it was that time. it is so hard to know what to do for our little ones when everything else seems ok with them. i will be thinking about you and keep my fingers crossed that the vet will be able to help.
 
>She's not on any meds right now & I've tried to avoid them.


Hi Laura :) You know how much I love (and now miss :( ) my pups but consider what the doc says and see what it does. "Meds" might be as simple as an anti-inflammatory, which isn't a whole lot, and it might make a huge difference in your pup's comfort.
 
Laura,
I just wanted to say I hope all goes well at the vet-I will be thinking of you both. I agree with the post here that you made the right choice to go to the vet-it may be as simple as arthritis and there are good meds for dogs for that.
Lisa
 
Laura,

I just had a similar incident this week with my 14 yr old aussie. She woke me up Monday morning doing a slow bark while laying in the middle of the back yard. At first I thought she was trying to tease the younger dog into playing with her. When she kept up the barking and the younger one was no where around, I finally go out there and she can't get up. I have to carry her and make she comfortable until I can call the vet. I have to leave her there so they can check her out. They did xrays and see that she has arthritis in her hips and it is really bad. They gave her a shot to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. They gave me medication to give her for 2 weeks and then only as needed when she has a bad day. The medication is called Deramaxx. Also I am suppose to give her a Glucosamine supplement daily. It is really helping. Today she wanted to run and play, but of course I have to keep her on limited activity for another week or so just to give the swelling plenty of time to go away.

This situation really freaked me out, because she has been very active and it happened all of a sudden. And it didn't help that I had been through a similar situation with my beloved golden retriever (8 yrs ago) who I ended up having to put down once she got to the point where she couldn't get up any more. Of course I wish I knew then, what I know now and I may have been able to have helped her through her tough times with a medical supplement. Medication is not always the answer, but your vet should be able to explain the pros and cons.

Oh I forgot to mention, my dog also went through the snipping part. I think it was her way of letting me know she was in pain.

Jean
 
Jean, I'm glad you said that about the snipping probably being due to pain. After I posted about cognitive dysfunction I realized it was probably the pain causing it.

Teresa
 
Laura my heart goes out to you! I have 3 large dogs that are my children in this life ages 5-13. The 13 year old had to start on Rimadyl last year and I was concerned about having her on meds. Bottom Line: She was like a puppy again in 4 days and has only a few days a month where she struggles w/ stairs....
I also have her on a dog food that is enhanced w/ Glucosamine and she responded to that after about 3 weeks.
My heart is with you as I feel your pain and anxiety and hearing the word from the vet. Even tho we dont like putting them on meds I tell myself that that is MY feeling NOT my babys! Quality of life is what its all about at this point for me w/ her and I want her pain free, happy and playful until her last days!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{LMax}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
 
Thank you all, you've made me feel a little better.

Jean, I think you're right about her snapping at me. Someone suggested yesterday I use a large towel like a sling to help her up b/c my bony arms probably were hurting her. So I'll do that until Tuesday, & hope that you guys are right & the meds will help her.

She used to be such an active, playful animal. It is really hard to see her like this & worry constantly every time she moves. But she still has that big goofy smile, so I'm hoping she'll be around for a good long while.
 
Laura, will you please keep us up to date and let us know what the vet says? I can understand the worry that you are going through right now.

Kathy
 
The vet had us use the towel sling the first day. I had to help her out in the yard to go potty. Speaking of potty-ing, on the afternoon that I picked her up from the vet, they had told me she had had some diarrhea(probably from the stress). She still couldn't walk well so I had to carry her from their cage to my SUV. Well since we live close to the vet I didn't even think to let her go in the grass before we left. Before I could even get backed up out of the parking space, she started to cry and move around. I had placed towels down for her, but she scooted around to where the seats fold down and had a nice little accident. The poor baby. It drip down the folded head rest, got on the seat and the carpet. Yuck!!! I spent 1 1/2 hours cleaning out the SVU. It's funny now, but wasn't then. I think I got it all, but if you know of anyone who wants to buy an SUV let me know. LOL.

Jean
 
There are wonderful meds you can give her if it is "just pain." Please take her to the vet asap.

I have a 14 yr old lab mix with arthritis. She gets Metacam and Tramadol and runs around like a puppy on occasion now. And she gets around so much easier.

Colleen
 
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