Arthritis

[LookAtThisMess]

I watched a dog really struggle on a walk today. Its back end kept collapsing, and its legs looked really weak and limp. The owner’s child tried to pull it to its feet by its tail. I told the child not to pull it up like that. The owner shouted to me that the dog has arthritis and is fine once it gets going. It made me sad to watch the dog get dragged along. It collapsed down a few times. I felt so sad for it. Is this normal for dogs with arthritis? I’ve never seen a dog out in a state like this before.

This would really upset me too OP , I have an old dog and if she ever gets like this I would be thinking about end of life and I adore my beautiful girl

@newfriend05 It was awful to watch. I’d have to think about putting my dog to sleep too.

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It is common in people who think that there's no point as it's just old age. There are very very good pain relief options and a wide variety do just because one hasn't worked doesn't mean that nothing will.

@Lonecatwithkitten is a dog collapsing completely at its rear end normal? I haven’t ever seen a dog collapse repeatedly on a walk. I’ve seen dogs that are very stiff and take ages to walk along. Not like this though.

No not normal.

that's an owner in denial about the pain and suffering of her pet.

well done for speaking up OP

It should not be normal, but sadly this is something that appears in my clinic still 'registered ' having not been in for 12 years since puppy vaccines, and the owners say 'well it's old age he's not really in pain' umm well he is.

How awful @Lonecatwithkitten. I can’t imagine what it must be like seeing cases like this on a regular basis.
It was horrible watching the dog being taken for a walk when it was obviously in pain. I’m worried that the kids will end up being bitten if they try to force the dog up to walk. I see this family fairly often when I take my dog out. I haven’t noticed anything wrong before. It must have rapidly deteriorated.

Aw that’s just awful to hear. I have only seen it that bad once and the woman owner was in tears as her beautiful dog had collapsed ( back legs) while on a walk. I helped her get him home, and she knew it was the end.

My own dog has arthritis but has medication and physio/ exercises and leg supports. Believe me I knew he was in pain well before it showed. They are very stoic, but we need to advocate for them.
Well done OP for doing that.

Sounds like me, take a whe to get going. I wouldn't have interfered though.

@RedHelenB you wouldn’t interfere if you saw a child pulling a dog up from the floor by its tail? I’m not sorry for doing that. I wanted to know if a dog collapsing whilst walking is normal. Do you own an arthritic dog?