Hi all,
our 7 year old Lab started limping. We took him to the vets, who booked in for an X-Ray, joint taps and blood tests, turned out he’s had arthritis for a while and was having a flare up.
He was given Metacam to take home.
We gave it on top of his food as directed. He is 30kg so the amount equating to that weight. Within 36 hours, he was lethargic and not eating at all, by the next day, he was pouring with blood-red diarrhoea that was leaking out of him.
Long story short, he had an awful reaction to the Metacam, it’s caused awful problems with his gut,, was was admitted for 5 nights, intravenous medication, catheter in his bum, fluids, etc, still bloody, red, liquid diarrhoea for days. The vet did scans, blood tests, etc, nothing else looking like the cause.
he’s home now. Able to hold his diarohea which is improving and importantly, no blood. He’s still on antibiotics, probiotics to firm up poo, and paracetamol.
getting his appetite back slowly. Sleeping most of the time, no walks.
we have a follow up with the vets in a few days. He’s not limping anymore.
before this limping episode we had no idea he had arthritis. He’s only 7.
anyone got experience of medication that might suit a lab? obviously not an NSAID - we honestly thought we might lose him at one point.