Bad arthritis

[peppapigkeepsthemquiet]

Any tips for bad arthritis.
We’ve tried so much stuff and nothing is helping. It just seems to be getting much worse, very quickly.
He’s lost 20% of his body weight as advised and is now a healthy weight.
He has youmove every morning.
A magnetic collar.
Metacam.
Pardale.
We’ve tried 2 other tablets which I can’t remember the name of (one began with an A) and they didn’t help.
He has hydrotherapy.
Short walks every day.
Tramadol when he’s really suffering.
I just feel awful that nothing seems to be doing much.
He’s got so much muscle wastage on his back legs that he’s staggering around and slipping and sliding.
Hydro sessions are trying to build muscle, but he can barely walk for a few days after and keeps slipping over.
He’s gone from absolutely fine, to staggering around all in the space of 5 months perhaps.
It’s awful to see.
Any miracle cures?

The only thing that keeps coming up when I google his symptoms is degenerative myelopathy.
He doesn’t walk stiffly, if anything it looks like his limbs are too loose, and he’s like jelly.
If this was the case then apparently he wouldn’t be in pain so painkillers aren’t as important.
But this would explain the sudden onset.
I just feel that everything we’ve tried should have made a difference if it was arthritis.
So losing 20% of his body weight (this made it worse)
Hydrotherapy (this made it worse)
Numerous pain killers (making no difference)
Joint tablets (again no difference)
I think the problem is that I just feel helpless.
I’m doing everything the vet suggests and he’s just going downhill quicker and quicker.

The dogs I’ve seen with arthritis walk stiffly, like a robot. And they look almost jerky.
Our dog is walking like a newborn giraffe if that makes sense. His legs are all over the place. Every time he turns a corner they slide from underneath him.
It’s really weird. But he’s not crying out in pain etc.

I would get a second opinion. This doesn’t sound like arthritis.

I’m not sure about fish oil supplements to be honest. The oils go rancid.

What is the diet? Could you do fish daily? Packs of mackerel are quite cheap. Grain free kibble other times.

I have a ten year old large breed and he is in pretty good nick but I have started him on CBD oil. I got the stuff for humans in the local health food shop

He’s seen 2 vets and the hydrotherapist who all say arthritis but I’m not convinced!
Thanks for everyone’s advice.

The "drunken" gait immediately made me think of wobbler syndrome.

I definitely agree with those suggesting getting another opinion just in case there is something else going on there.

I don’t mean don’t go for a second opinion btw... just that if it did turn out to be degenerative myelopathy or wobblers or anything like that, the treatment he’s had is the same or there isn’t anything that makes a difference.

As in, if it does turn out to be not arthritis, unfortunately you might still be in the same position anyway.

“I’m not sure about fish oil supplements to be honest. The oils go rancid.“

I’m assuming it’s a large breed dog if he’s 10 and everyone happily accepted a diagnosis of arthritis to start with, so they don’t go rancid because you’re giving fairly large doses.

Sorry - I mean I don’t do fish oils but I do fish. I think the process of creating the fish oil and then the storage - even short term - doesn’t create a healthful product. I just feed fish!

Ok. So perhaps get some oily fish.
Hoping for a peaceful weekend with him and I’ll update everyone on Monday.

For what it’s worth, I have spent a while looking at fish oils and Nordic Naturals is a good bet - they do human versions and have started doing dog versions. I think most brands can’t ensure the oils haven’t started to oxidise which does more harm than good

Dogs shouldn't be that sore after hydrotherapy & the treatment time should be reduced in that case. Ours recommend some gentle movement in hours after hydro to ward off stiffness but should be back to normal exercise following day. It should be increasing mobility not causing inactivity.

Could be that the nerves aren't sending signals to limbs clearly causing the lack of coordination, can be degenerative or due to pressure on spinal cord.
Think they can do a genetic test for Canine degenerative myelopathy to rule it out. What breed is he?

orthopedic specialist vet would be better to diagnose & suggest treatments . Obviously finances play part & whether feel any treatment would be useful now. My friend had her old dog PTS when he found squatting to poo too painful due to spinal condition, he was otherwise fairly heathly so was hard but its a daily basic function & would only get worse.

Literally in tears.
Just seen a video on YouTube of degenerative myelopathy and it’s identical to him.
He’s crossing his legs the same, he keeps going onto a knuckle the same.
This is awful.

This dog has literally been with me through everything.

I don’t think I can cope.

So sorry to hear this. My dog had arthritis over the last 2/3 years and as well as the pain medication he also had weekly physio and acupuncture which seemed to help. I hope you can find a way to help your dog.

I just can’t cope with seeing him sad anymore. He literally struggles to get up, wobbles a few paces and flops down somewhere else. He falls over when he wees or turns corners. He’s literally so sad.
It’s so hard to know what to do.
He’s eating and happy having fuss and cuddles and really affectionate.
But I just don’t know.

Honestly I think it's very easy to know what to do. Very sad for you.

If he’s not enjoying life then unfortunately it is time to start thinking about whether pursuing further diagnosis or treatments are really in his best interests. If he can’t be kept comfortable and happy then sadly there really only is one option.

I’m so sorry, it really is the worst aspect of dog ownership

Remember dogs are very good at masking pain so it does sound like he's really struggling.

He’s literally so sad. I really think you need to review whether he has a good quality of life especially if treatment isn't making him better.

Just had emergency appointment.
He’s gone.
Literally devastated.

Literally feel like my head will explode.
The kids are asking questions.
This is awful.
Can’t bring myself to walk into the house knowing he’s not there.

What am I meant to do?
He’s my absolute baby.
He’s pre kids, pre husband, pre everything.
He’s been with me through some awful situations.

I'm so sad for you. That was the right thing to do. Remember, if your kids are small, to explain the fact that he has died without using the euphemism put to sleep in case it causes worries. Well done, brave and kind to let him go.

The vet said he wasn’t going to get better.
I was so worried about leaving it too late that now I’m worried it happened too soon.

I'm a vet and I have never seen anyone euthanase an ill animal too soon. Lots and lots too late. You mustn't wait for the light to go out of their eyes, it's not fair. Hugs to you. It is shit but you are brave and you held up your side of the bargain.

for you. Honestly it did not sound too soon, please don't worry.

No, it absolutely didn't happen too soon. I lost my lovely old Lab to 'arthritis', his was diagnosed as osteosarcoma by a second vet, and I had to quickly make the decision to have him put to sleep (after days rather than weeks). At the time I questioned myself, had I made the right decision? Should I have waited? But my lovely son (a vet's assistant) reassured me it was better a day too early than a moment too late. It is an awful loss and such a hard thing to go through, much love to you .