What do you do?

[CobblersandHogwash]

My Labrador has bad arthritis. He is 8.

He hobbles around at home, clearly in pain.

He's on drugs. I forget the name (am not at home) but they help a bit.

He's had surgery on his elbows. The surgeon told me they were in pretty bad shape. Nothing more really to be done.

The vet warned me that there will come a time and not far off when the pain is too much. And we should know that when a Lab doesn't want to walk, the pain will be immense.

He loves his walks still. Lives for them. He's energetic and bouncy on them but he pays for that later.

I can't bear the thought of him being perfectly fine in his head but arthritis making life unbearable in his not-old body.

Is it really the best thing to put a dog down then? Wouldn't it be better to have immense painkillers?

The problem is that I know my dog will rally at any opportunity to play ball even at the detriment to his health. Probably the same as for your lab in that he rallies for his walks but suffers afterwards.

For me it's a balancing act. Wouldn't it be better to have immense painkillers? Only if those pain killers didn't themselves cause suffering elsewhere. I think this is really a frank conversation to have with your vet as to how much you can mitigate the pain but still give him the joys in life such as a walk.

💐Feel for you. Biteyshark is right. And having seen this very recently, once the immense painkillers are used, he’s probably not right in his head, and while being spaced out may be fine for us humans, I would think it’s scary for a dog.

There are stronger painkillers and they don’t all have bad side effects.

But, what your vet is preparing you for us that even with stronger painkillers, it’ll still get worse and at some point you will have to make that decision.

More painkillers will delay it a bit, but once you’re using those it really is a case of just getting a bit of extra time tbh.

I would have a very frank discussion with the vet and go by 'better a day/week/month too soon than a day too late'. It's so hard, though!

We aren't there yet but it makes me very sad.

I will talk to our vet again.

Canine Arthritis Management are working hard to give your dog more years as there's lots that can be done to improve condition, before get to PTS stage.
Sadly sometimes vet staff themselves aren't as clued up, so don't suggest much more than some pain relief.When there's a huge array of medications, treatments, complimentary therapies (laser, hydro, physio, acupuncture, PEMF) along with making changes to home & management.

The drugs may not make them doped up, some can give some dogs worse side effects than others or need taper dosing while adjust. Many arthritic dogs are on a combination of drugs that works for them & can be referred to pain management specialists if have difficulties.

CAM's an amazing resource full of info
caninearthritis.co.uk

CAM FB - has weekly live interviews with specialists (get added on YouTube channel) & host of other info.
m.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

CAM videos
m.youtube.com/channel/UCrEu7TDzQDM-IK2LHwfdrkA

Holly's Army- CAM owner group to share/ ask advice
m.facebook.com/groups/2161091580843717/

CAM- equipment reviews
m.facebook.com/groups/540364159637089/?ref=pages_profile_groups_tab

Sorry, link copying fail

caninearthritis.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis/

Holly's Army
www.facebook.com/groups/2161091580843717/
CAM Equipment & reviews
www.facebook.com/groups/540364159637089/
CAM YouTube
www.youtube.com/channel/UCrEu7TDzQDM-IK2LHwfdrkA