Oldish lab 'not quite right'

[HundredAcreOwl]

She's 13 in December. We've had labs for over 30 years, she is our fourth, only one now for several years. There's nothing obviously wrong, but she's not quite herself. She has no problem telling us around 6 it's time for her dinner, or looking for her breakfast. Her tail wags but less than it did.

I've had a difficult time recently, not ignored her but... I'll try some special cuddles first.

I can't see any signs of joint problems, I'm very happy to go to the vet, but I don't know what I'd ask for?

Any advice very welcome.

Thank you.

I'd go to the vet. My previous old Lab was like yours, something not quite right, and he had a spleen tumour weighing 3.5 kg removed the same morning.

Thank you. Did you ask for a general check, or specific? We've been with the same vets since our first labrador, so I'll ring tomorrow and ask. I think they'll understand 'not quite right'.

No advice, but just hoping your beautiful girl is ok.

Like you we have been with the same vet for decades and said the same as you. He felt around him and sent him for a scan. He lived for another four years and looked much younger in the immediate days after the operation, looking at the photos I took of the darling boy.

Good vets know who the good owners are and know their descriptions and feelings about their dogs can be trusted.

I would go to the vet for a check over and also ask for a pain trial for her. The vast majority of old dogs are suffering from joint pain and it's easily helped with some medication and supplements :)

I'd go for a temperature check and general feel all over at vets, then a blood test.
I'd also try painkillers for a couple of days and see if improvement which will tell you she's been hurting or not.

Thank you. We are very aware of possible joint problems given our experience, haven't heard of a pain trial, could you give me a link? She still sprints into the garden!

Thank you everyone. She's on my feet under my computer desk...l've tried to add my tax but can't find out how...copy and paste doesn't seem to work😊

I'll ring the vet tomorrow.

Thank you all so very much.

A pain trial is basically giving them painkillers (normally metacam) for a few days to see if their mood and energy etc. improves.

If it doesn't make any difference, then it's likely she's just slowing down due to old age, but if it does, you can opt to investigate further. I suspect at 13 she's probably a bit arthritic even if she doesn't show it!

Thank you.

We have just lost our old boy after a few months of him not being himself. The vet insisted it was just old age but it turned out he also had a tumour on his spleen and they could not help him. It took an ultrasound to spot the tumour, but I have since discovered that lethargy, fatigue , loss of interest in food are all symptoms. Obviously such symptoms can also be caused by many other things, but please don't be afraid to ask the vet about it. Larger older dogs are most at risk.

I hope you get some answers.

@Fraggle78 I am so sorry about your loss.
I have learned with our labradors that any disinterest in food means they are really unwell. I've tempted especially one with liver and kidneys before, no interest. We had to say goodbye.

She's back to her normal today after a few weeks... I'll keep a close eye on her, and won't hesitate to take her to the vet if she dips again. Thank you so much for all the help.

That's great to hear. I didn't mean to be alarmist, but I have been shocked by the info I have read re spleen tumours since we lost our boy and would hate for anyone else to go through the same.

Thank you. So not just a dog, aren't they? I am really grateful for all the help here, I do think we are knowledgeable, but each of our four has been different,

I have been distracted and unwell for a while, they do pick up on that, I should have realised earlier.

Replies have made me think she probably is having joint problems, but showing it in a different way to our other lovely labs. Vet and probably metacam is next.

Thank you everyone.

If they do think it’s joint problems ask about Librella injections. Our lab is 14 (today!) and has been on Librella for over two years and although she can’t manage walks now when she started on it it made a huge difference and basically gave her a good 18 months more of being herself.

Happy birthday to your lab, and please give her a cuddle from me😀

Thank you for the suggestion of Librella, I'll ask.

It is so much about them being themselves, isn't it?

I second Librella - my 13 year old lab mix has been on it for the past two years, and it's made such a difference to him. You can tell when the next injection is due as he starts slowing down again!

Thank you, that's really helpful to have another opinion. I think I've read problems with Librella, but I trust our vet and your experiences, and will ask.

Thank you.