Devastated - 11 YO w/ failing back legs - any other option??

[plantingandpotting]

My beautiful girl has had slightly iffy back legs for a long while (after jumping from a height and dislocating her knee 7ish years ago).

After trying to jump onto the sofa 2 weeks ago and falling funny, she began walking on three legs. The vet gave anti-inflammatories but was a bit 'she's old, what can I do?!'. She turned 11 in March.

She made a lot of improvement and started walking on it again, although occasionally she'd revert back to keeping it off the ground.

On Friday she kept collapsing - both back legs were giving way. She began dragging them both behind her.

The vet gave stronger painkillers (which she won't take) and she's essentially just laying down all day and not really eating.

The vet has suggested we go back Friday to assess, and although he's not said in so many words, he's implied that this is the beginning of the end and if no improvement is made then we really only have one option.

I'm in pieces, and cannot believe that a dog who had no health issues just before this could be put down within a matter of weeks because of some joint issues.

I really don't want her to suffer, but can't imagine giving a human a few weeks to try and recover and then giving up.

I'd like to at least look into options like wheelchair/physio...or am I in complete denial?

I'm sorry for rambling. Currently 37 weeks pregnant and struggling to cope with this.

I find it odd they've not wanted to do some diagnostics & put down to old age unless its for financial reasons, so conservatively managing.

Referral practices prices can vary considerably & you are able to shop around. A lot of people travel to the orthopedic vet my dog went to as its much cheaper than in southern England (& he's great surgeon) MRI was around £1-1.5k when dog had one last year, initial consult £100.

I've seen fair few dogs with spinal issues at hydrotherapy. Thankfully most have regained mobility, however one dog who had spinal op was still unable to stand unaided after a year with hydro/physio. He was such a happy guy & just got on with life, his owners (who also had young family) had to adapt for his needs but were devoted. Before meeting him i'd have swayed towards it being unkind to prolong the disabled dogs life but so much does depend on that individuals situation.

Clementine is gorgeous ❤️

I usually give pills by squishing some room temperature salted butter around it, and then having a couple of chunks of salted butter provided as training treats (eg sit and paw) before providing the butter with pill. Mind you, the pom I was both very greedy and very fussy! Rubbing the throat with your hand until you feel DDog swallow can also help.

I took tramadol recently and it's cracking stuff... Definitely worth getting it into her.

We do cheese tablets. A small piece of cheddar will soon soften in your hands enough to mould it round the tablet. But that might be a bit big for your dog, We have Labradors who just gulp the cheese balls down without chewing.

11 is not old for a small dog

There are alternatives to tramadol pain killers which she may prefer

Ask for a second opinion do not wait until Friday

It is a good sign that she can control her wee and poo

Do ask for at least an x ray or mri or ask why the vet is not suggesting this - it may be clear to the vet what the issue is but then he needs to tell you this

If it was me I'd be booking an immediate appointment with the orthopedic specialist at my local vets (or going to another vets if mine didn't have one), then looking for an emergency referral to an orthopedic hospital to get the scans etc which are needed to make a decision one way or the other.

It’s always useful to completely rest her for a few days up to a week to see if there’s any improvement. My Westie had a cruciate ligament injury aged 7 which was treated conservatively, and when he was 11 both his legs sort of crumpled away. I put him back on severe rest, only out for wee, no walking or even moving and he recovered for a couple more years.

Thank you again, everyone.

We've had a good day of tail wagging, she's been up to drink, ate fine, and has been out and done a number 2.

Researching local orthopaedic specialists tonight and feeling so much more positive.

Oh she is beautiful!! Bless you, I hope you get a second opinion and some options.

Best way we found to get our boy to take tramadol is to hide it in cheese!!

If you have one local, we are with Medivet and they are really good for offering choices to proceed rather than the "let's keep an eye on it"

I found green-lipped mussel powder really good www.xtend-life.com/products/green-lipped-mussel-powder. Our Pom was unable to get up one day. We thought she might have had a stroke. Vet said it was spinal arthritis and didn't think there was much that could be done. Anyway, the green-lipped mussel powder got her from being unable to get up to being able to walk around again within about a week. I gave a 4-5kg dog the contents of one capsule a day.

CBD oil might be worth investigating as well. I tried that and saw more improvement.

Swimming is supposed to be good for dogs with arthritis.

I was referred to Fitzpatricks with my dog albeit with a different condition. They definately have earned their reputation to be the best. Have met many people who had flown in from all ober Europe. And from the TV show seem to be dealing with the condition you are describing. I would ask for a referral. It's not cheap though. I am very happy with what they did and how quick he recovered. Wishing you luck.