My poor dog, what do we do next?

[Pokeroot]

I have a 4 1/2 year old male neutered border collie, who has mobility issues. The exact cause is still unknown but one vet thinks it is likely to be caused by an old injury of some sort near his left hip. Due to compensating for his weak/painful back left leg he has damaged his spine causing occasional urinary incontinence (last time was an hour ago) and has put extra pressure on his other joints, he randomly limps on any or all of his legs.

He has daily physiotherapy which has meant he can now sit and up until last month stopped most of the limping and the incontinence. Now his limping is getting worse and he is showing signs of been in pain though this is hard to tell.

Every vet we have spoken to has no clue, his x-rays are fine and all his joints move normally and fully without him reacting in pain.

We are going to take him to the vets again but I don't know what to do next. My dog is allergic to NSAIDs so the only painkiller we know he can take is tramadol but the vet wont prescribe it long term and offers no other solution. My dog will not allow the vet to touch him because the vet hurt him badly once.

So what would you do? My poor dog has no life, is in pain and wets himself which he hates. What can I do to make it better?

[MedicalWriter]

Must be awful for you and poor doggie. If you have run out of options, then I'm afraid there is only one course of action for the sake of your dog. PTS

[catsdogsandbabies]

Referral to an orthopedic specialist is what you do next. Just like a gp is not an expert in everything, neither is your vet so a specialist will help you. Pts a young dog is the last resort. There are multiple potentially treatable causes of lameness.
Call vet, explain issue, request referral.

[idirdog]

Where abouts are you? Fitzpatrick referrals in Surrey would be excellent specialists to see.

They would be able to discuss all the options with you.

[miggy]

Second idirdog, if you have insurance they would be my first choice too.
MRI scan would probably be the way forward but a good orthopedic vet might also spot something your vet hasn't experience of, some kind of rheumatoid arthritis say.

[Pokeroot]

We are in Lancashire.

I will get a referral to an orthopedic vets. We do have insurance, which is good as we have seen maybe 8 different vets including a vet who specialises in physio. We have also seen a chiropractor who wouldn't even touch the dog as she said he was too bad for her to treat

I agree that PTS is a last resort. I'm still hoping he will die one night in bed of old age.

[Booboostoo]

I am surprised none of the 8 vets already hasn't mentioned an MRI. You can't really tell what is going on without one.

If you need immediate help have you tried a hind leg sling to give him more support? If he is in a lot of pain though be very careful in case he reacts negatively to it.

[Pokeroot]

Boo, the vet we normally use has trouble even seeing that the dog walks badly! He is the kind of vet that will do whatever I want him to do but will never suggest anything. The other vet at the surgery is slightly better, but seems to be scared of dogs so I refuse to see him. I think an MRI was mentioned very briefly once but never again, I believe the vet said we would have to go to Liverpool.

My dog has no problem running about, he ignores all pain and he hops on his back legs. He does not ever stop though! He would run around until he dropped if I let him. He doesn't show pain ever so I guess his pain level by how bad he is moving and how long it takes him to get comfortable. At the moment I would say the pain is worse than normal and has been for about a month but is not as bad as it was a year ago.

[Booboostoo]

I've been to Liverpool before with three different dogs and they are great. They have all the facilities and all the knowledge to give you a proper diagnosis and explore all the options for you. If I were you I would go straight to Liverpool.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Also agreeing with other vets orthopod and MRI. I have a lovely shepherd patient who had nothing on x-rays MRI showed disc compression he had surgery and is doing really well.

[Pokeroot]

Thanks Boo, I'll ring the vets tomorrow to get a referral and an appointment for some pain relief. The poor dog has had no pain killers for nearly a year now and the joint supplement is no longer having the pain killing affect we want.

[Pokeroot]

Lonecat, I really hope it's something that can be fixed but sadly my dog is a medical disaster and has been since he was a puppy! Still a dog has to be lucky at least once in his life right?

[Bumbez]

Another thought would be a chiropractor specialising in animals, don't laugh they do exist.

My mctiminy chiropractor was actually more interested in animals and often succeeded where many vets had failed.

Poor dog I hope he gets sorted :(

Hth

[Bumbez]

Oh sorry I just saw you'd tried a chiropractor

[Pokeroot]

Bumbez the McTimoney Chiropractor was actually very helpful even if she wouldn't do anything my dog. She was the first professional person who could see that there is something very wrong with my dog and didn't dismiss our concerns.

[Pokeroot]

*anything with my dog

[1MitchellMum]

Sorry to hear about your poor dog. Agree about orthopaedic vets etc. However I'd like to add that my dog has been on Tramadol for three years now (along with other painkillers). Yes, I know they can have side effects, but I'd rather my boy lived a shorter life with less pain. I'm lucky that he's now 11, but if I had a youngster now and that was the only option then I'd happily take it. I wish you both well.

[Pokeroot]

Thank Beer, I am glad the vets are good at liverpool. I hope your dog is doing ok now.

[Pokeroot]

1mitchellmum, I am quite happy for my dog to take tramadol for ever more if needed but the vet wouldn't prescribe any more. I will argue with the vet when I next see him to try and get it. I just wish my dog wasn't allergic to everything, it would be easier if he could take NSAIDs.

[Pokeroot]

I'm glad your dog is fine Beer. I really hope someone can tell us what is wrong with my dog and how to fix it. He really deserves a chance at a long and happy life.

[newfavouritething]

Oh dear, I think that I'd have him pts. Probably not what you want to hear, but he's in pain.

[Scuttlebutter]

Another one here who would endorse a specialist visit first before considering any more drastic steps. Hoping all goes well if you go to Liverpool.

[MedicalWriter]

I think it's difficult to balance the needs of the owner (not wanting to lose a beloved dog) and the needs of the dog. All the dog knows is that it is in pain.

By all means try a specialist, but I would not let the situation drag on, I believe earlier you said the dog had been in pain for a year. That is too long surely?