13 yr old and suddenly unable to walk
MY 13 yr old lab mix has had a mild case of arthritis for a few years and has been on meds for that but about one month ago he started having trouble walking. Just thought the arthritis was getting worse. He has quickly detoriated. His whole back side and legs seem to have developed atrophy. He walks swaying and drags his legs at times. Today he has just laid in our garage all day. Barely eats and I get him to drink. The vet has put him on steroids but he has progressively gotten worse. His upper torso is still strong and muscled and he is attentive but he just can’t walk. Is the inevitable here Should I put him down to keep him from suffering.
iluvlucyricky
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If your vet hasn’t run a blood panel recently (like within the last week), I suggest you have him do so immediately. If you are giving your dog one of the NSAIDs for his arthritis, it’s possible the med may be seriously damaging his liver and/or kidneys. All of the NSAIDs have been linked to such problems in some dogs, even after years of successful, trouble-free use in an individual dog. Inappetance is a common sign of liver and/or kidney problems (although it can also indicate pain), and such problems can be quickly fatal. If I were you, I would immediately stop giving the dog any NSAID meds (not including the steroids – you must NOT stop steroids cold turkey) until you have the blood panel results and know how his organs are functioning. Get that blood panel done tomorrow, if possible.
If you do feel it’s time to put him down, wouldn’t it be best to know exactly what you’re dealing with first, just in case it’s something treatable that can give you more quality time with your beloved companion?
I wish you and your boy the best.
Tempest
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I had another thought that doesn’t sound too likely from your description of the progression of your dog’s condition, but I’ll throw it out there, anyway.
If your dog has a head tilt, talk to your vet about vestibular. You didn’t mention a head tilt, but the drunken type movement is consistent with vestibular. Vestibular typically hits hard and quickly, then gradually resolves and gets better over the next few weeks. But it sounds like your dog’s condition has been more gradual and getting progressively worse, so it’s probably not vestibular. If he has a head tilt, however, vestibular is definitely worth investigating.
Tempest
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Thanks for your concern. He was put to sleep yesterday. It was very hard but I know it was the best for him. We brought him back home and buried him in the back yard. He did give us 13 years of unconditional love and we will miss him. Thanks again.
iluvlucyricky
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I am very sorry to hear about your loss. That is never an easy thing to go through. Sounds like not only did he give you unconditional love but you did the same for him….
Again I am very sorry. Take care
hscvt
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I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. It is a very difficult thing to go through but at least you know that he isn`t suffering anymore and that he is in a much better place with no sickness or pain.You will see him again one day.
puppy
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I am sorry for your loss. (I am new to this group)
I just put my Star down, she was 14 years, 2 months..
My husband did it, I just could not stand it anymore….
She just lie on the floor, and in the end looked at me with her beautiful eyes, and I said “mommy will help you”….Star stopped eating, was in kidney failure, and had cushings….I hate to talk about $, but my star was costing us about 300 a month, not that she wasn’t worth it and more…
But the reason she was put down, was the eating, she wouldn’t eat, and then would eat, and I was going nuts.
Almost every day, I had to clean up diahea…
Truthfully, I felt Iwas going mad.
I couldn’t stand it anymore…
So, she was put down 4/5/05…She was a good dog…
She was probably the only thing that ever loved me.
I do hope to see her again though…That sustains me.
Love, Jada
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Knowiing that I will see my Puppy again is what gets me through losing her too. She`s waiting for me in heaven and will be the first to greet me when I get there and after that we will be together for eternity.
puppy
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HOW VERY SORRYI AM YOU HAD TO PUT HIM TO SLEEP AND OF YOUR LOST, I NO THE PAIN AND YOU ARE FEELING, I WAS JUST LIKE YOU WHEN I PUT MY BABY TIGER TO SLEEP, BUT HE WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN.I LOVED TIGER AS MY CHILD NOTHING COULD HAVE HURT ME WORSE BUT WE WILL SEE THEM. AGAIN THEY ARE TOGETHER PLAYING IN FIELDS OF FLOWERS, GREEN GRASS NO MORE PAIN. IT TAKES TIME TO HEAL, BUT YOU WILL NO YOU DID THE RIGHT THING .AGAIN I AM SO SORRY MAY GOD BE WITH YOU REBA
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I hope your dog is okay. I just came across this.
We have a 12 year old Doberman; he also was getting around and he was in pain. I’ve never seen him cry; it was so sad. My husband would have to pick him up so he could urinate without wetting himself. He also had to take the bowl of food to him to feed him. We took him to the vet and he said he had arthritis/hip displasia. He prescribed pain pills for a couple of days and recommended Bayer asprin if needed. They also sald 2000 miligrams of glucosomane a day. In just a couple of days he was moving around again. It’s been about 2 years and although he’s not 100%; he does get around on his own and without pain. I’m glad we didn’t put him to sleep like some suggested we did.
catlover
