How to help my old boy?

[GoldenOldBoy]

I have a 14 year old lab. I posted last year about him as he belonged to my ex who was not taking proper care and was leaving him over 10 hours per day in a freezing caravan. I said the dog should come and live with me until ex got sorted. Ex's living situation changed and he took him back in spring of this year.

Around a month ago I noticed the dog was limping. I mentioned to ex that he should take him to the vet but he never arranged it. I took him myself 2 weeks ago and the vet (PDSA) said it's probably arthritis and prescribed anti inflammatorys and paracetomol. The first week went well and he started putting a bit of weight on the leg. The second week he had a few falls, not huge ones but lost his footing on the wood floor and slipped. He's now really struggling to walk. Won't put any weight on the front leg and his back legs are not strong so he's really suffering. I'll be taking him back to the vet tomorrow.

What can I do to help him? I've got youmove supplements and cod liver oil. He's got a soft duvet to lie on. He's a lab so absolutely food obsessed and will drag himself up to follow me in the kitchen. That's when most of the falls happen or when we come through the front door. The leg is hard and swollen and I feel so sad seeing him suffer

You've absolutely done the right thing for him, the downside is that it's utterly shit for you. I sobbed for days after we lost our girl, and I'm slightly embarrassed to say that her box of ashes are in the kitchen window that she loved to sleep under in the path of the sun with her collar in the box. I can't ever imagine her being anywhere else.

Be kind to yourself

OP, I am so very sorry to hear this.

It has been just over two years now since I had to have my own wonderful yellow labrador put to sleep and I will never forget it. He was 15 and had been becoming increasingly creaky for some time. Then, one day, all of his joints just suddenly gave way and he could no longer get up at all. I knew that was it and I was devastated. I miss him sooo much and I do hope to get another dog in the next couple of years (we also had a 16 year old cocker spaniel until October this year, but she has now gone too).

14 and 15 are grand old ages for labs, but somehow it is never quite long enough really. They leave such a huge hole when they go.

for you, and a hand hold. Your lab looks like he was a gorgeous boy.

So sorry for the loss of your sweet boy, OP.
It sounds like you absolutely did right by him.
I had to have my 13 year old Staffie girl PTS as she had aggressive skin cancer. It hurts so much to lose her, but I would not have her suffer for a minute longer than she had to.
Unmumsnetty hugs for you.

My heart sank when you mentioned a limp :(

We lost one of ours to the same thing, we also let him go whilst under the anaesthetic once it was confirmed.

You did the kindest thing for him. Be kind to yourself now.