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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Dog with arthritis in a lot of distress.

47 replies

sassymuffin · 15/02/2016 01:31

I'm really worried about my 10yo Springer Spaniel. She was diagnosed with arthritis and joint disease a few weeks ago and she is on Metacam and supplements. She has gone down hill very quickly but initially rallied when she began the Metacam. Over the past 24hrs she has began to pant a lot and her breathing seems very rapid, she is also off her food. She has been refusing to lie down although she did try a couple of times but stood straight back up, she has nearly fell asleep in a sitting position a couple of times today. She has just finally lay down from sheer exhaustion. She was also groaning a lot when she attempted to lie down.

I will phone the vets first thing in the morning but wondered if anyone had any advice on dealing with pain management etc.

I have still been taking her on gentle short walks as I don't want her to seize up but she really is struggling.

OP posts:

AGapInTheMarket · 15/02/2016 02:15

I'm sorry to say this but I would have the dog put to sleep. I don't think it's kind to extend the life of our beloved animal companions and arthritis is a horrible condition to deal with. Please look honestly at her quality of life and make a considered decision. Better a day too early than a day too late.

tabulahrasa · 15/02/2016 07:51

I'd be worried that it's the Metacam - it can have some quite nasty side effects, but if it is there are other painkillers.

Mavisblewitt · 15/02/2016 08:07

Our dear 16 year old BC was like this, the vet confirmed that it had spread to his spine, but wanted to give him a go on some additional anti inflammatories and tramadol for the pain. They did the trick, dog was more comfortable, but the tramadol zonked him out, so after a week we decided to take him back and say goodbye. Literally one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but I could see in his eyes that he was miserable, he used to be a whirlwind of energy but could no longer do that and it wasn't fair on him. but your dog is younger, it might not come to this yet x

georgedawes · 15/02/2016 09:10

I was going to say it could be the metacam too. See what the vets say. Hope he is OK.

georgedawes · 15/02/2016 09:10

She, sorry!

crabb · 15/02/2016 09:20

Don't give her any more Metacam until you've seen the vet.

AnUtterIdiot · 15/02/2016 10:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/02/2016 10:12

I don't think arthritis itself would cause those symptoms. My dog is arthritic in two front legs, but apart from a slight limp and inability to do a long walk you wouldn't know. He has a Bioflow collar which seems to work wonders, much to my scepticism, and is on and off Rimadyl.

Hopefully the vet can help.

Original poster

sassymuffin · 15/02/2016 11:31

Thanks for the responses, she is booked into the vet in a few hours.

I haven't given her any Metacam today just in case it is linked.

She slept all night and is moving ok this morning but she has bought a small bit of bile up before but I think this is due to her not eating or maybe the Metacam giving her an upset stomach. She is also very loose when pooping so it could all be linked.

She still has the rapid deep breathing and occasional panting and is avoiding lying so clearly pain is an issue. It is really odd as the things that the arthritis was affecting such as walking down steps seem to not be a problem any more and I am now wondering if it may be because her stomach may be sore.

I know there are a lot of other options for pain and I have heard surprising things about the magnetic collars so I will ask the vet about all options.

I would never let an animal suffer and I would always PTS if I was concerned about their quality of life and I have also factored this in as a possibility but speaking to the vet on the phone this morning he seems to think we are not at that point yet.

OP posts:

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 15/02/2016 11:42

Easeflexplus chews (not cheap!) are well-reviewed on Amazon, and they seem to be helping our arthritic dog. Not an immediate solution I know.

georgedawes · 15/02/2016 11:53

Metacam can really upset the stomach.

puffylovett · 15/02/2016 11:57

Is metacam the same as meloxidyl?

Vet thought our spaniel had spinal issues after watching her struggle around following medication for cushings disease. Meloxidyl and tramadol was added to her meds and 3 days later she was on a drip for kidney failure.

10 days later and off all medication she is back to her normal self. Don't rule out side effects of the medication. I hope she feels better soon :(

KinkyAfro · 15/02/2016 12:19

PTS??? Jeez, sounds exactly like what my dog has had, which has been narrowed down to Onsior (NSAID). She's been fine since we took her off it. Agree with pp, don't give her anymore until you've seen the vet.

Bananapanties · 15/02/2016 12:19

Hope she's ok

Original poster

sassymuffin · 15/02/2016 12:27

I think Metacam and Meloxidyl may be the same if not very similar, It is an anti inflammatory. The vet did run full bloods on Kiera to make sure her kidney and liver function was ok before prescribing it.

She has always had a really delicate stomach and we have to be careful with her food and she can only tolerate Barking Heads or James Wellbeloved dry food.

I have just felt her stomach and she is unbelievable tense. She never really lets you know if she is in pain even when she is hurt. The only time she has ever yelped was when she was attacked by another dog so when she is groaning and whimpering I know she is really in a lot of discomfort

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 15/02/2016 12:41

NSAIDS can cause stomach problems, including ulcers...if you get vomiting or diarrhoea that looks black and tarry or like coffee grounds - she needs a vet immediately.

But yeah stomach pain is probably the Metacam, some omeprazole and a different painkiller will hopefully sort her out.

Original poster

sassymuffin · 15/02/2016 18:31

Been to the vets a few hours ago and she has been kept in. The vet suspects she has fluid on her lungs and in her stomach. She is having x rays and scans to try to determine what is going on.

The vet said he will if found he will extract any fluid to ease her breathing. Its not looking very good

OP posts:

Slippersandacuppa · 15/02/2016 18:40

I'd say it was the metacam too doesn't sound like arthritis symptoms at all. My 9 year old dog has arthritis too and was on metacam. Fine for two weeks and then one morning I woke up and there was blood everywhere. I honestly thought she was dying. She was taken in, rehydrated and taken straight off the drugs. Apparently stomach ulcers are a common side effect. She's now on nothing. We've changed her food to symply wet for senior dogs (extra joint care), she had yumove for a while, she's lost a kilo and seems much more comfortable.

Hope your DDog feels better soon.

Slippersandacuppa · 15/02/2016 18:42

Sorry, I just read your last message. I'm sorry to hear your update. I hope they manage to figure out what's going on and that's she's better soon. Hope you're okay

Mavisblewitt · 15/02/2016 19:33

Fingers crossed that she pulls through xx

Original poster

sassymuffin · 15/02/2016 21:30

Devastated, just had to have my gorgeous girl put to sleep.

It was so much worse than we thought, a burst tumour with many more in her abdomen.

She hadn't lay down in 24hrs but when the end came she lay down in my arms and peacefully drifted away.

OP posts:

OttiliaVonBCup · 15/02/2016 21:33

I'm so sorry about your girl, Muffin.

Spanielcrackers · 15/02/2016 21:33

I'm so sorry.

Readysteadyknit · 15/02/2016 21:39

So sorry - a sad decision but it sounds as if she was peaceful and comfortable at the end

DramaAlpaca · 15/02/2016 21:39

sassymuffin I'm so terribly sorry about Kiera

I have springers and I know what amazing, special dogs they are. You've done absolutely the right thing for her and I'm glad it was so peaceful.

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