Hi, I m really in need of some advice for Jess my 13 year old lab , she doesn't seem to want to go on long walks anymore , so we ve been taking her on little walks which she starts off fine but limps home. Came down yesterday morning and she couldn't stand up , so took her to the vet who gave us some Tramadol to try for a week to see if it easies her pain ( said its probably arthritis ) . Seemed a bit better last night but this morning was drinking her water when her back legs gave way and she fell, in herself she doesn't seem to be suffering , he happy and eating and drinking. I don't want to see her suffer , I know I m been selfish but I want to keep her as long as I can but am I just putting off something no owner wants to do ? Has any body's dog had the same treatment and recovered, it really is heartbreaking, I just love her so much Thanks in advance
Re: Trouble standing up Hi Tina, and welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear about your Jess. Has the vet given you anything else but Tramadol? It is a fantastic pain killer but does't help with any inflammation. Maybe it is worth asking your vet about some NSAIDs like Metacam. If it is arthritis then there are loads of supplements that might help.
Re: Trouble standing up Hi and welcome It might be worth seeking out a dog/animal chiropractor. They can check her out for any misalignments or other muscular/skeletal/nerve issues that may be contributing. One of the issues with older doggies is that they get deterioration in their nervous system and their brains don't communicate as well with their back legs as they used to do (the back end being furthest from the brain). Dragging the back feet on the ground a bit is a sign of this, if your Jess does that too. Their balance and grip is just not as good as a result. With my old Lab (who suffered from these sorts of issues) we found that a pair of doggie shoes for his back feet helped him to grip better and regain more confidence and strength/balance in his back end. The feeling of the boots probably also helped his brain work out where his back legs were. We got Grip Trex Bark'n Boots. In red
Re: Trouble standing up Oh Tina I am so sorry to hear that, having lost two beloved old dogs over the last two Christmases, I know exactly how you feel. All I can say is - you will know when the time has come to say goodbye. In the meantime, make her comfortable, take her out for little toddles, and give her lots of love. I agree that NSAIDs may help reduce the inflamation. If she is not incontinent, then she still has some control and nerves working. It is heartbreaking, watching our beloved dogs go downhill - but our dogs are lucky, we have the final responsibility, and enough love, to make sure they don't suffer.
Re: Trouble standing up Hi Tina, and welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear about your old friend. It is a most difficult time for you. It maybe that with the help of medication she will be able to enjoy the summer, but if she is not happy, and does not improve with treatment, then you may decide it is time to say goodbye. You will probably have to take it one day at a time, do go back to your vet if the drugs have not helped in a day or two. As Heidrun says, there may be other drugs that you can try. Best wishes Pippa
Re: Trouble standing up Undoubtedly arthritis and pain are major issues for your Jess but don't write off the other avenues I mentioned - an examination from a qualified chiro and aids to help her walk (shoes, ramp at the back door, mats on timber floors to give her traction). Options like hydrotherapy (ie. swimming with support) might also strengthen old muscles without pressuring joints. I'm not advocating a 'keep them going to the bitter end' approach. But there may be other things you can do in addition to drug therapy to assist her and improve her quality of life. Two weeks before Christmas we had to put our old boy (14 and 1 month) to sleep when he suffered internal bleeding from a ruptured tumour. Blood transfusions, surgery and chemo were on the table, but we felt that all that would have been more about us than him. So we let him go. It was dreadful. But, hard as it was, it was the only loving option. It's a heart-wrenching thing we all face. However, for the months before that we were able to keep him mobile and enjoying his life with some of the options mentioned - Metacam worked well for him (def agree with trying options other than Tramadol), the boots, mats on the floor, warm coat, gentle leg stretches and massage. Those things made a difference - they would not have indefinitely but they did help for long enough to be worth it.
Re: Trouble standing up Hi Tina, and welcome . I cant add to the good advice already offered, but just to say that this is such a hard time and my thoughts are with you and your dear old girl x
Re: Trouble standing up Thank u all for all the comforting words during this heart breaking time , the vet only gave me tramadol and no other meds, I did buy some vetzyme from pets @home also ( getting desperate) and I m very very pleased to say so far things are looking up, i dont know if it was one or the other or both together but by no means am i complaining because at least now she can stand up and walk even if only for short periods of time but one step at a time and to be honest I thought this was the end of my old dear, I know our time together may be limited but I m going to enjoy it and take one day at a time, I will keep ye updated. I m so glad I found this website and once again thanks for all the supportive words of comfort x
Re: Trouble standing up Its good to hear that there has been an improvement Tina . I think its wise not to think ahead too much , enjoy every minute of each day with your special dog , please let us know how she is getting along .
Re: Trouble standing up Tina,I'm probably the wrong person to reply to you as I'm having a little weep at the thought of what you must be feeling....and weeping is NOT practical.I am only enjoying my first dog and he is very young so I have no experience of the care of an older dog.However my friend has a 13 year old German shepherd who as well as suffering from terrible arthritis is blind.She started him on glucosamine and within a month this noble old boy had gone from having to being almost carried down the stairs to being found snuggled up on the sofa.....he doesn't leap up by any means but he has enough mobility to manoevre himself up independently to where he wants to be.I think there has to be consideration of how elderly dogs internal organs process the medication.....maybe a question for your vet? I'd left my husband downstairs watching sport on tv with Dexter ,but after reading your post I' m going downstairs now to give him an extra goodnight cuddle( leave you to guess....husband or dog!......no contest really he he!) Take good care and best wishes Angela
Re: Trouble standing up That is great to hear that Jess has improved a little and can get herself around. Lots of pats, cuddles, tummy scratches and love are definitely therapeutic for all concerned too
