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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Spinal arthritis

18 replies

flucloxacillin · 08/04/2025 20:19

My 10 year old Whippet boy has recently become wobbly on his back legs. A recent vet visit found his back hind leg didn't respond when pulled the opposite way. We were sent away with steroids and since he's stopped them his back legs seem to have gotten worse. He's been uncoordinated, he jumped off the sofa a few nights ago and landed in a heap on the floor, he also seems to lost his balance.

I took him back to the vet and she has hinted at Spinal Arthritis but recommended he was X-rayed to investigate further. I'm waiting on a ln appointment for him to have this done.

Hes still eating ok, isn't incontinent but definitely isn't himself.

Should I be worried? He's been prescribed anti inflammatory medication in the meantime.

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LandSharksAnonymous · 09/04/2025 07:09

Once you’ve had the x-ray, they should be able to give you a better idea of time-lines and medication. Arthritis is a waiting game, unfortunately. But there are things you can do to slow it down, or ease your dogs pain.

Shorter but more frequent walks - so instead of two long walks a day, try four shorter ones.
No jumping onto or off furniture (as with puppies, it puts pressure on the joints).
Good quality food and supplements etc.
Medication (vet will proscribe)

FWIW, one of my mums dogs had spinal arthritis. She lived two years happily after the initial diagnosis - we only PTS when she was no longer running around and being herself. Others may have kept her going another year or so, but 14 was a good age for a Goldie! So please don’t worry that this is the beginning of the end for Your boy!

Original poster
flucloxacillin · 09/04/2025 15:20

I'm not convinced it is Arthritis. Whatever it is has progressed in the last two weeks and it's really sad to see. Hopefully it is nothing sinister and just the start of old age. He's been on the medication a few days but I can't see any improvement yet.

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Original poster
flucloxacillin · 10/04/2025 10:43

He's getting a little worse each day.
This morning he struggled to get off his bed, he fell coming in the door after going out for a wee, while he was in the garden I was watching him and he was knuckling a little on his front paws, he tried limiting on the sofa and couldn't get his back legs up. It's so sad to see - I'm torn as to whether I should go ahead with the x ray or not. I don't want to put him through unnecessary stress but I don't want him suffering.

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Original poster
flucloxacillin · 16/04/2025 15:51

His x ray is booked for next week but I'm not sure whether to put him through it. He is regularly falling and hasn't got any better even with the meds he's been prescribed. I think I am going to call the vets and take him there tomorrow to see what they suggest. I am pretty sure it is Degenerative Myelopathy. He's been unsteady on his legs for a while but it's been so subtle until now.

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Soontobe60 · 16/04/2025 15:56

This sounds very much like my lovely lurcher. He couldn’t get downstairs one morning, was howling in distress. It was time x

CamillaMacauley · 16/04/2025 15:57

flucloxacillin · 16/04/2025 15:51

His x ray is booked for next week but I'm not sure whether to put him through it. He is regularly falling and hasn't got any better even with the meds he's been prescribed. I think I am going to call the vets and take him there tomorrow to see what they suggest. I am pretty sure it is Degenerative Myelopathy. He's been unsteady on his legs for a while but it's been so subtle until now.

My dog is 11yo and simply issues. Vet said not to X-ray as it won’t change treatment and not worth the risk of a GA. Chances are with an X-ray it will show discomfort issues….but you’re not going to operate on a dog that age. It would be pain killers. So why X-ray? Even if the X-ray showed no issues the dog is still in pain and needs painkillers.

so my dog is on daily metcam and it’s helped a lot. And a Yumove tablet daily.

CamillaMacauley · 16/04/2025 15:59

Sorry, just read again and seen you say he’s regularly falling. No, mine isn’t that bad….shes just stiff and can’t get up onto the sofa without a step now and has a tremble in her back leg. Yeah if he’s falling and the meds aren’t helping I’d ask if there’s any stronger meds. But still not convinced an X-ray would change anything??? Do you think he’s enjoying life still?

PhilippaGeorgiou · 16/04/2025 16:10

Two of my elderly dogs had idiopathic vestibular disease, which also has these symptoms you describe. In most cases it isn't painful in itself, and after the vet assured me that they were not in pain - it was the disorientation that they found hard - we adapted to life with a disabled dog. The one that was worst affected lost most use of a back leg, and sometimes both legs were affected, but a doggy wheelchair when out (he still loved his walks and raced around like a charioteer), and letting him find his own comfort zone at home gave him 12+ exra months. If you dropped anything edible on the floor (or if it might be edible) he could still cover 100 meters in 5 seconds flat. The day he wouldn't move for a treat was the day I knew he had had enough. Similarly the other dog managed with some disorientation for 12+months, was slow but could walk, and then detriorated rapidly leaving me in no doubt when it was time to let him go. I wouldn't assume the worst. but discuss your concerns with the vet (I assume you trust them) and then decide. You could still have some good times ahead.

Original poster
flucloxacillin · 16/04/2025 16:35

I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow to discuss what to do. I don't think there is any point in putting him through the stress of anaesthesia for an x ray while he's like he is.
In the last two weeks he's gotten worse and this week especially him falling has become a daily problem. He can't jump on and off the sofa, he's knuckling when walking and has broken all of his back claws. He knuckles when he tries to eat his food, and he leans to the left quite badly when he walks.

I don't want to have him PTS but I don't want to see him suffering either.

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Abc1weabc1 · 17/04/2025 13:06

If you want to do the best for your dog, you need to allow the vets to xray and make a decision based on that.
It doesn't sound like quality of life is very good at this point

Original poster
flucloxacillin · 17/04/2025 15:17

We've been to the vet and she agreed x rays are probably no use now. Due to the deterioration in him.
We discussed all the possibilities and she advised it was time to think about when to say goodbye.

We've brought him home for a few hours then he is going back to the vets 😭
Im heartbroken and I'm spending the afternoon giving him cuddles. I could have waited a little longer but the way he is I don't want him to get any worse. And I don't want to spend the next days/weeks with this hanging over my head because it is inevitable what the outcome is going to be.

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CamillaMacauley · 17/04/2025 15:18

Im so so sorry.

Original poster
flucloxacillin · 17/04/2025 15:48

Thankyou

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PhilippaGeorgiou · 17/04/2025 16:03

I'm sorry. Hopefully your last few hours with him will be good ones. As good as all the ones you have spent over the years. He's a lucky dog to have had such a good family.

Original poster
flucloxacillin · 17/04/2025 16:08

He's had lots of treats and cuddles, he keeps wandering around like normal which is making me doubt myself. However I know the vet wouldn't have agreed today if they thought it wasn't time.

The clock seeming to be ticking by so slowly, I brought him home so the DC could be with him for a little while too.

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Original poster
flucloxacillin · 17/04/2025 21:00

He passed quickly and peacefully laid on a blanket on the grass.

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Memom · 18/04/2025 06:28

So sorry for your loss. A heartbreaking decision to make but one made with love.

Original poster
flucloxacillin · 18/04/2025 08:11

Im completely heartbroken. I have another dog who is completely confused and won't leave my side, even though as a rule he usually favours DH.

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