How long should I leave it before putting my dog down

[HidingInTheBathroom]

My lovely yellow lab is now 9. She has bad arthritis in all her joints but her front leg has gone.
She is limping all the time. Her walks have gone from 3 times a day to none as she can't make it up the street with out dragging her paw. We have 2 other dogs so feel like where punishing her when they go out and she crys because she has to stat behind.

The vets said lose some weight (she was slim any way) and cut the walks. Now she is piling the weight on as she can't exercise.

I know watching her limp round the house it's nearly time for her to go but then I feel like horrid for wanting her being put to sleep just because of a bad leg.

The vet has given us tablets and I have been giving her calpol but it's getting worse not better.

How long should i leave it before putting her asleep. I'm crying typing this as she has been such a good dog and had her from being a pup while she has watched our family grow.

The prednisalone is purely a steroid and not anything to do with pain relief.Unfortunately,a side effect of this is increased appetite.
I am all for "short happy life rather than a long miserable one" and have taken this view/action with several animals over the years.
As far as pain relief is concerned,I have always had good results with Metacam so maybe ask about that?
Somebody mentioned Glucosamine and I know someone with a pointer who was under the threat of surgery or euthanasia due to a bone "issue" who is showing fantastic signs of improvement in 3 months.

You know your dog,you have his best interest at heart and you will know when you have exhausted all the options and will make the hardest but kindest decision.

Good luck.

Oh crist I should not of took her out. She cam hardly walk

How is she today hiding?

Been to a different vets today. He has given her loxicom and tramadol. He also said to take her for a walk once a day just on the flat for a 5 min one at first and then slowly build it up.

He told to try these meds for a month and she how she gets on. Has to break into holiday fund today £80 but at least it might help her.

Hate seeing her in pain. She seemed a little better this morning compared to last night but has gone back to the same limping really bad since we got back from the vets.

The vet says if she responds to this treatment then it may give her a few more years fingers crossed if not it might be the end for her.

That's good, progress at least. Hopefully she responds well. The meds should work pretty quickly to help her :), progress at least. Hopefully she responds well. The meds should work pretty quickly to help her :)

That's good. Hoping she improves and you get to spend a lot more time with her. Do let us know how she gets on, please?

Ditto from me...would love to know how she gets on....

Will keep you all posted. Thank you for your kind comments.

Good luck and paws crossed here too.

Re Tramadol, if it has anything like the same effect it does on humans....look out for constipation. Not sure how you can prevent it in dogs, but someone else might??

we have tried two different types of hydrotherapy - the walking on a treadmill in a tank of water and the free swimming one. both were about £30 per session. in our case different vets recommended different hydrotherapy options as being the best for our dog's condition. our dog now goes once a month and will do for the rest of his life. a friend of mine takes her elderly dog for hydro twice a week (they do have insurance but not sure why it is not covered) and she does office/general work for them in exchange for treatment. would that be an option?

have you thought about trying a pdsa vet if money is a problem? you have to meet strict income criteria

Tonight is looking good. She has been out today on the flat. She is limping but no where near as bad already

Hopefully these tablet are working. If not back I will try the hydrothearpy.

Great news :)

:)

I'd strongly recommend the hydro as well as the tablets. The thing to remember is that your lovely dog could be here for another five years so you want as much strength and flexibility in that leg as possible - the tablets will be doing a good job but will mainly be masking the pain not tackling the underlying issue. Hydro will also help with your dog's weight issues and that in turn will ease the pressure on the leg.

Good luck - it's awful to see them suffer, but it's lovely also to see how they can get a new lease of life from the hydro. I was in tears at the vet the last time we discussed her pain meds as I thought the time was coming - I really can't believe the difference this has made for her - she now has a spring in her step and a twinkle in her eye - I think she'll be with us for quite a while yet.

Oh good news, thats fab.
Have you looked at just getting the prescription and getting the tablets on line. We saved a lot on our greyhounds analgesia.

This is Lucy in her walk tonight alot better but a long way to go. How do you think she is looking.

Couldn't get a much better video as every time I stopped she stops.