Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Is it time to say goodbye?

44 replies

DaydreamDolly · 28/01/2012 18:01

Our big boy, a Bernese Mountain Dog, 8.5yrs old, has had arthritis for a year, which has now been identified on X-ray as severe
He hasn't eaten properly for a week. Just a few tit bits. Vet seems to think he'll be ok once we've put him on complete rest, but he's so unhappy. And he's wasting away before our eyes.
He keeps falling over and the last 2 days has started whimpering whilst just lying down.
I think our vet is happy for him to continue as long as we are buying the monthly expensive arthritis medicine, but I can't let him go on like this, can I?
Advice much appreciated. Thanks all.

OP posts:

Bossybritches22 · 29/01/2012 23:08

Dolly given your circs and the big dog, try asking your new vet for an urgent house call.

Given it's only down the road (but still hard for you to manage with bump, toddler AND a dog who can hardly alk.) I'm sure they'd squeeze in a visit at some point even if they don't normally.

Ring first thing before he gets started on his/her list.

watchoutforthatsnail · 30/01/2012 13:06

how is he today?

My dog is now 10, diagnosed with severe hip dysplacia 3.5 years ago. he was, for short of a better word ' grumpy' Thats how i presented him at the vets. Just that he was miserable.He wasnt limping, no other symptons.

He started a course of wonder drugs, we tried several before we got the right ones. Exercise was limited to 10 mins a day for about an month, gradually increasing.

Now you wouldnt have a clue there is anything wrong with him. Its all being managed very well, he is happy. He still has ( almost daily) walks, 30 mins is about the limit, sometimes 40 mins. Noone has a clue, i can see occassional signs that he has the hip problem, but only because i know and can see what im looking for.

hes fit and healthy, and following his 6 monthly check the vet said hes likely to be around for a few years as yet, but i know it will be his hips that will go before anything else, and at somepoint it will all be too much for him. But thats not right now.

I wouldnt write off the dog just yet.

Original poster

DaydreamDolly · 30/01/2012 18:53

He's much better in himself today but still not eating his meals. Took him to the vet this morning and he promptly wolfed down a few biscuits from the vets hand Vet now thinking it may be psychological?? Could he have a sense of second baby's imminent arrival?
I asked the dog walker to come round and see him and he took bread and biscuits from her too. She moved his bowls from their usual position to a different one and he went over and ate a few bites of food. She took him around the block on a lead and apparently he was walking v quickly, gone for 5 minutes and came back limping. So he has the desire just not the bones for it! Anyway, I am feeling cheered by the fact that he has eaten a bit more today, although he won't touch his dinner at the moment. He seems much perkier and more his usual self today which is a great sign.
Vet said leave it another 12 hours and if still eating nothing or very little by tomorrow morning then he'll do a blood test. Re the arthritis so far the Loxicom has dealt with it well and vet doesn't believe any other therapies will make a difference at this point. I have booked an apt at a different vets for Wednesday 4pm for a second opinion as I couldn't get in there today.
I no longer think we are close to having to make that awful dcision though, truly believe he is getting better!! Just need to work on the food.

OP posts:

Hollyfoot · 30/01/2012 19:51

That really is good news Dolly, been wondering how you and your lovely boy were. Everything crossed that he continues to do well xx

PS acupuncture and hydrotherapy both made an immense difference to our gorgeous girl

Original poster

DaydreamDolly · 30/01/2012 20:20

Thanks Holly, I'm definitely going to look into other treatments, I don't understand why my vet is so dismissive of these?

OP posts:

Hollyfoot · 30/01/2012 20:23

Well, hydrotherapy was recommended by our vet and acupuncture was done by another vet with the agreement of our own vet. Luckily he is very open-minded

Original poster

DaydreamDolly · 30/01/2012 20:32

Hopefully I can discuss these things with the new vet on Wednesday. My vet at the moment just talks talks talks about syndromes and could be this could be that, doesn't let me get a word in then ushers me out
I always end up leaving a little bewildered!

OP posts:

Scuttlebutter · 30/01/2012 22:31

Hydro is often recommended by vets and isn't "woo" at all - I'm the least woo person imaginable and am surprised that your vet is taking this view. Insurance companies are also usually happy to cover it too which they won't do for the more crystal waving end of the complementary market. Unless there is a clear veterinary contra-indication or you need to wait for a scar to heal (not the case here) this is baffling. I can't even begin to tell you how happy we are at our dear old girl's progress - to see her bouncing around with a twinkle in her eye again is beyond words.

I'm arsey - if I don't understand what vet has said, i ask him to explain it again until I do Hangover of being a cancer patient - where you really need to understand what the hell is going on! Now useful for dogs too.

Bossybritches22 · 31/01/2012 00:23

Just a silly thought Dolly, (so glad he's perked up BTW!)

If he is arthritic is it difficult for him to get down to his food?

Would putting the dish on a step/footstool help?

Quite a way down from those big old shoulders!

Sorry if you've already tried this

Original poster

DaydreamDolly · 31/01/2012 10:11

I'm pretty enthused by the hydrotherapy idea now, really want to try it.

He ate half of his breakfast this morning! Great progress!!

Thanks BB , as he's such a large dog, he has always had raised bowls, since he was a pup. Dog walker said perhaps the metal bowls are now affecting the taste or something, so am going to buy new bowls for him. Worth a try!

OP posts:

spiderlight · 31/01/2012 11:33

So glad he's perking up! I'm another big fan of hydro and have seen it work utter wonders on friends' dogs.

Original poster

DaydreamDolly · 31/01/2012 11:42

Thanks Spider

The only problem I can forsee with it, is that he is such a wuss sensitive boy that he absolutely hates water - this is a dog that will bound up to a big lake, and teeter like a ballerina on the edge whilst he sticks his snout in for a guzzle

OP posts:

Bossybritches22 · 31/01/2012 11:46

Hydrotherapy would be fab I'm sure, that great old weight is supported by the water so they can exercise without straining the sore joints.

A chum of mine had an old lab that used to love it. he had it for the last 2 years of his life due to the same problem and it def made his quality of life better. He was always KNACKERED when he came home and would stagger to bed & sleep most of the day but be a new boy after a rest!

Good idea re the bowls-I know some humans taste buds get affected by certain drugs, I'm sure dogs could be the same.

Be interesting to see what the vet says tomorrow.

Hollyfoot · 31/01/2012 19:30

Hydro worked wonders for our girl - she had it for about 6 years. I would just say to watch that they dont overdo it with him. Our Lab was very fit and muscular despite arthritis from a young age, and she only swam for a few minutes, had a break and then a few minutes more. Guess what I'm saying is dont equate a long swim with necessarily being value for money/more useful than a shorter swim. Our girl always had a jacuzzi too afterwards, it helped make sure she didnt get stiff. If by any chance you are in the East Mids, I can recommend a wonderful centre.

Scuttlebutter · 31/01/2012 22:31

Dolly, so glad to hear he is eating a bit again!

When we go to hydro there is a pool and a water treadmill. Our girl does the treadmill. Basically she goes up a ramp into a glass tank, door is shut, then the tank gradually fills with water up to her tum. No need to jump into water or splash about. All very gentle. Then once she is nice and buoyant and relaxed the treadmill starts and off she goes. At the end of the session, the water is gently drained away, the door opens then she emerges like Venus from the waves down the ramp into her waiting attendant's arms with a towel and a treat. Think of Liz Taylor as Cleopatra in her spa and you're there. Rubbed dry while wagging her little tail and shamelessly mugging for more treats, then back out to the ante chamber where we pay, put collar back on and then leave.

There is also a proper pool ( for mad Labs and such ) but i dont' think there are many swimming greyhounds.

Shenanagins · 31/01/2012 22:46

Our big boy, aged 15, who finally passed away at the start of the year had athritis.

He had it for a good few years and we did have a few scares over the years. He did go through a phase of not eating and my OH made a wee bench and put his bowls on it which made such a difference at the time. He did go off his food from time to time when a new drug was introduced and it was a bit of trial and error.

Also, one time when he went off his food, we started hand feeding him thinking that the end was nigh and put some left-over pizza in his bowl. The pizza was gone in the morning which was such a joy to see.

Sometimes they go through wee phases, we just looked to see if his eyes were still bright and he was still going out for the toilet.

Good luck and I hope that he is ok.

Bossybritches22 · 02/02/2012 09:47

Any news Dolly ?

Hope you & bigboy are OK?

Original poster

DaydreamDolly · 02/02/2012 10:13

Hi all, thanks for the message BB I'm feeling a bit 'meh' about it all now
Our boy is happier, and eating more, but far from his normal self. Other vet just suggests waiting the 2 weeks as suggested by previous vet, to heal the elbow problem, and to continue with the Loxicom and the Tramadol. So basically, go away and come back in 2 weeks. The limp is back, that has been blamed on me stopping the Tramadol, I stopped the Tram due to the constipation and lack of appetite. So.... it's just a waiting game now, and I will just manage his pain and offer him tasty treats to get his appetite going. Some days are better than others with regards to that.
Hydro is something new vet would recommend but wants to get over this problem first before we discuss that any further.

OP posts:

Bossybritches22 · 03/02/2012 21:12

grrrr. Could you give him the tramadol but loads of extra roughage? You know, the sort of stuff he likes but you normally avoid as it gives him the trots?

How frustrating, maybe they know each other & don't like to contradict?

I would think it was the constipation that stopped him eating, sorry to be crude but have you seen his poos to check if they're normal?

Flip

1 2