Anyone here have/had experience of a labrador with arthritis?

[JuneFromBethesda]

We're looking to adopt a rescue lab and have seen a lovely dog in need of a home. She's 5 years old, otherwise in good health but has arthritis in one elbow. The woman from the rescue said this may have put other prospective owners off due to insurance costs.

It hasn't put me off but as I haven't owned a dog before (had dogs as a child but haven't been responsible for one as an adult) I'm clueless about pet insurance generally and how it works. Presumably the fact that she already has arthritis will increase the premiums; once a lab has arthritis in one joint is it inevitable that it will develop all over? What sort of care does a lab with arthritis require?

The woman from the rescue said beyond needing to limit excessive exercise, and giving occasional anti-inflammatories, you wouldn't know the dog has arthritis. I don't have a problem taking on a dog with mild health issues but I want to make sure we have a good understanding of what we're committing to before we make a decision.

Thank you

Thanks Cider. Don't mind you hijacking at all, it's all useful to read I hope this thread is helpful for you and you find something that works for your black lab.

Honey, I think I've done as much research as I can do - I spoke to a vet yesterday about arthritis in labs, I spoke to an insurance company, I have all the useful suggestions on here, I've looked at bioflow collars and found my nearest canine hydrotherapy centre! The man from the rescue charity emphasised that the dog only has the problem when she's overdone it - also partly because she doesn't get proper exercise at the moment so the leg doesn't get a chance to get stronger through careful regular exercise. He was very reassuring. But let's be honest, she has won me over and knowing that she's in a bad place at the moment, I just wanted to get her out of there. She deserves a decent home and someone has to give it to her - I couldn't see any reason why it shouldn't be us

. Can't wait to see her photo. You sound well prepared.

Honeyroar I see you have had a lab from Glenys too

She's home, and she's gorgeous. The first few hours were weird (not bad, just strange having a dog around) and she was a bit subdued. Then we took her for a walk in the woods, we were out there for an hour and she had a great time exploring and discovering lots of interesting smells. Now I'm completely smitten and she's visibly relaxed. It's going to be so lovely getting to know her properly

Will post photos once I get some on the computer!

The guy from the rescue charity picked her up from her old home this morning - first time he's met her, and her old owner - and he just kept saying that her previous home 'really wasn't very nice' and that the owner clearly couldn't wait to get rid of her She's been having one 10-minute walk a day, on a lead. Criminal. She's going to love going on proper walks!

Incidentally the rescue guy thinks it may well not be arthritis - she had no symptoms before the incident which apparently caused it and he thinks the owner was over-anxious and over-reacted. Who knows, and we'll get her checked out properly by our vet in due course but she certainly showed no signs of any distress after an hour's walk.

Anyway, she's home now and I love her already

Aww, how lovely.x

Cant wait to see some photos OP.

Is the rescue HomeALabrador everybody else? I live on their website along with living on MN. I donate as often as I can.

I suppose at least the old owners have re-homed her properly. What's her name?

I have to admit to struggling with our dogs at times. And they def were not walked for ages as I just couldn't and it became a vicious circle. Which I feel really bad about but we do have a half acre garden which they have the run of most of the time and we played with them lots. Black one loves having a ball thrown for her. Yellow one doesn't like that but loves being chased for the ball. Funny old things.

They have loved their walks with our walker so I'm hoping to get that going again. Our arthritis ridden black one has been jumping about as normal since Friday. . Back to vet tomorrow.