Is this the end or can my old girl come through this arthritis flare-up?

[Silviasilvertoes]

DDog is a springer, twelve and a half years old. She started limping on her front leg about six weeks ago. Thought she'd pulled it charging around but the vet diagnosed arthritis in the elbow. She had a shot of Librela, which didn't seem to do much plus Loxicom once daily and we started hydro/physiotherapy.

She improved for a while but on Tuesday she yelped as she came up the step from the garden. Yesterday morning (Wednesday, the next day) she wouldn't put the paw to the ground, so we went back to the vet. The vet prescribed ten days of Gabapentin 300mg and half a 500mg human paracetamol twice daily. The vet's view is that we need to get this flare-up pain under control and go back to the hydro/physio to build muscle.

She still won't put her paw to the ground today (after three doses of Gabapentin and paracetamol) and is hopping around on three legs when she's not sleeping due to the Gabapentin. She's due another Librela but I don't have weeks for it to work. I'm going back to the vet tomorrow as obviously she can't go another day in this much pain.

I'm so frightened that this is the end. It's happened so suddenly. She's been the best dog in the world and I owe her everything, including making the right decision for her. I'd give anything (if I can't get her back to full health) for a few weeks or days to spoil her and love her and give her all her favourite things but I can't let her continue in this much pain.

Is there something that can be done, can the pain relief be increased to get her through this? How long should it take for the Gabapentin to have an effect? How long can I wait?

Obviously I'll be asking the vet all these questions in the morning but I need some MNet wisdom too. She's never had a serious medical issue before now, so we've not really developed a relationship with the vet beyond routine things, and so far we've seen a different vet on all three occasions.

She's fast asleep at the moment on my duvet folded on the kitchen floor, which seems to be where she wants to settle. I'm in bits.

That's Gabapentin 300mg twice daily.

And I'm also doing heat and ice packs on the joint on the physio's advice.

Has she had any further x rays or anything since she stopped weight bearing?
I'd just be a little concerned that perhaps something extra is going on. That's a lots of pain killers and arthritis in my experience doesn't generally cause non weight bearing.

I wondered that. The vet didn't question it but I'm going to ask tomorrow. She's literally gone from being stiff but mobile to hopping with the leg bent to keep it off the ground.

Although the vet did stretch the elbow and the pain was definitely coming from there as she yelped on extension.

I'm a vet and agree she needs further investigation - x-rays are a good first step.

Thank you @Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr .

My lovely collie cross is a similar age and went through similar 2.5 years ago but lameness was accompanied by lethargy temperature and lack of appetite. Suspected lymes but all tests negative. Went away by itself until beginning of May this year. Based on previous symptoms and a lot of research we decided it was likely to be an autoimmune disorder and she's been on steroids for 2 months. They alleviated the initial symptoms but have a whole host of side effects and niw, after being stable for about 4 weeks and gradually reducing her dosage she's suddenly puking and has diarrhoea. She's acting very 'old' all of a sudden and it's heartbreaking because although she's not what I'd consider'end of life', her quality of life has significantly degraded.

I feel your pain op because it's so difficult to know when is the 'right' time to call it but tests can be so invasive as well as prohibitively expensive and it's hard to know what to do for the best. ❤️

@CandyLeBonBon I'm so sorry. I'm in the same place. I didn't feel that we were at end of life with her, but her quality of life has vanished, for now at least. I've already said to the vet that I'd let her go quietly rather than have any invasive treatment as she's too old for that and she hates the vet so she'd find it hugely traumatic.

The Lymes thing is interesting as we do have ticks here but the one thing that hasn't diminished is her appetite. One of the things I'm still debating is whether to keep 'starving' her (in her mind at least) to keep her weight down, or to just let her have a month or two of eating all the things she loves. She's lost 3.5 kg and has another 2 to go and she's permanently hungry. She lives for food so it's a big thing for her. Just another thing to think about.

Hugs as it's decisions on the life and death of a family member ❤

@Silviasilvertoes big hugs for you too. It's so incredibly stressful. My darling girl is a shadow of herself but is still always happy to see me and flollows me everywhere. But she's aged a decade almost overnight. Big hand hold from me because it's just so hard to know how best to handle it. She's lost 3kg in 3 months, can't really run, can no longer jump on the bed for a cuddle, but is ravenous because of the steroids.

12 seems so young still, to me!

I've been talking to DM, I'm going to take DDog to the vet DM uses tomorrow for a second opinion. I've had my doubts about our vet as they've not suggested an xray or any investigations, just pushed Librela. I had to ask about the hydro/physio myself.

DM's dog had a similar issue with hips and was xrayed straight away.

Second opinion this morning. It's likely a bone tumour. I've left her with them for x-rays. Will update later.

Well done. Fingers crossed they can manage it x

Also the vet has given methadone this morning to control the pain while she's waiting for the x-ray.

That's really sad. Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you get some definitive answers today then can make a plan going forward.

Im so sorry, it's such a hard time. We lost our boy in June and it's heartbreaking, but you have to make the best decision you can for them.

Our greyhound developed a swelling on his elbow so the vets were treating that, and it went on for weeks when we had him in and out of the vets etc. it ended up being osteosarcoma which was only discovered when he stood up and his shoulder fully fractured. The only mercy is that we were able to say goodbye and he didn't suffer for too long, but it's such an awful situation.

Think of you and your pup xxx

Aww so sorry to hear the second opinion diagnosis. Hope you lovely doggo is comfortable. Unmumsnetty hugs💐

Have you had any results yet @Silviasilvertoes ?

Bone cancer in the scapula. I have her home on painkillers for tonight. The vet is coming out to the house to PTS tomorrow.

I’ll be having a word with the other practice at some point, but that’s for another time.

Please try making turmeric shots with black pepper and ginger. It was like a miracle for my dog. Extended his life for many months more with a good. Quality.

I'm so sorry @Silviasilvertoes, that is very upsetting. Your girl sounds wonderfully loved and she was so lucky to have you to advocate for her. Give her all the snuggles tonight, I hope she is finding some relief in the painkillers.

I wish there was anything to be said which could make this easier for you.

So very sorry to hear. You’ve done all the right things including your final decision. Let her go with love.

Thank you everyone. DS is sleeping on the settee with her tonight. I’ll be on the floor next to them, probably not sleeping. She’s had chicken sautéed in butter and a whole packet of ham. She’s always been my wing woman and I feel
like I’m losing my best friend.

@mrstea301 that must have been horrific. I’m so glad we caught it before it got to that stage.

It’s a special love. She may be your wingwoman, but you have clearly got her back too. Very glad you were persistent and that she won’t suffer.