My lovely Chocolate Labrador Max is 10 years old and lives with my mum.
He has always lead a happy, fit and healthy life. Walked 2-3 times a day, full of energy and honestly the friendliest and happiest dog you could ever wish to be a part of your family. We got him as a puppy and he has grown up around the stables, hes shared a house with kittens, cats, chicks and chickens, he doesnt bat an eyelid at rabbits, ducks or birds either. He hapilly lets my 22mo DS get in his basket with him and wouldnt make a peep if you shoved your hand in his dinner. Honestly hes just perfect.
Over the last few years his front left shoulder has caused him a bit of pain after longer walks but was fine with a daily anti-inflammatory.
Over the last few weeks his legs have got worse, hes still happy, friendly, eating and drinking but hes not enjoying his walks as much and he sometimes flinches or drops his back legs.
My mum took him to the vet this evening and he diagnosed him with Chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM).
My mum asked about the treatment/prognosis and the vet said either keep him on the anti-inflammatory (not doing enough for him anymore) put him on steroids (he will put on weight which will make it more difficult for him to get about) or try some new medication, shes forgotten the name, which may or may not work and costs £200 a month.
She asked if they would see a difference within the month, he said if its going to work for him then yes.
So her plan at the minute is to try these new tablets at £200 a month for 4-6 weeks and see how he is. Then either continue with them if they work, if not keep him out of pain until his quality of life deteriorates then have him PTS.
Can anyone tell us more about CDRM? Is her plan the right one?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Can anyone tell me about CDRM?
SemperUbiSubUbi · 09/11/2011 19:45
Sorry I don't know anything about this but I didn't want to read and run. I truely hope that you get something sorted though. 10 isn't old for a Lab 
CDRM (as i'm sure you're aware now) unfortunately isn't curable, it's a progression of nerve degeneration. I'd be very interested to know what this 'new drug' is, I'm a vet and am not familiar with any new drug (although I'm off work on may leave so it is more than possible I'm just unaware of it). However, it generally isn't a painful condition and it can take a long time to progress to a point where you have to be thinking about whether it's fair to carry on
From a treatment perspective keeping his weight down (easier said than done with most old labs!) and possibly trying hydrotherapy may help.
HTH
We always make sure where he swims is easy to get in and out of, where we take him is like a beach.
I think, as you say, its going to be too cold for him this time of year so it will defeat the object. Saying that hes got fur like a bloody seal. 
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
I'm sure your vet will go through things again with her, it's not unusual for clients to not take a word in of what I'm saying when in a situation like you describe, it might help if you and your mum make a list of questions to go through, I find it helps people when they're in a consultation
Fingers crossed for Max
Just spoken to my mum. He started the tablets Thursday (10th) and she can already see an improvement! Last night he wanted to go for a walk and this morning hes wanted to go out again, like actually been at the door, excited to go out! 
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.