Forums46
Topics537,952
Posts9,731,011
Members87,051
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
#6984023
12/05/17 08:00 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762
Duck Buster
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762 |
Hey all-
I have a lab/pitt mix that I rescued 10 years ago. He tore his right CCl 4 years ago, got it fixed, and he has been great. The vet then said he had minor arthritis, but continue giving him glucosamine and it should help. So, we've given him glucosamine since. I continued duck hunting him, and he hasn't had any issues with mobility.
Prior to this hunting season, I knew I would have to retire him at the end. I made sure he was in good shape physically before season, to make sure I didn't over work him and wear him out too much. He did good duck hunting this year with no problems other than being much slower than he used to be, and no longer able to climb in/out the boat (understandable given his age). He was happy as can be, and it was a great year to retire him off of.
However, since duck season ended 3 months ago, he has gone down hill. I don't think it had anything to do with me hunting him, as it was probably 2-3 weeks after his last hunt before symptoms showed up- but who knows. He now has trouble getting up from his dog bed, can't go down stairs without falling over, and can no longer squat to poop without falling over or walking forward. When he first gets up, he has trouble extending his left foot, and walks on the top of his foot sometimes because he can't get it underneath him. He also doesn't hold his tail up anymore. He didn't have any of these problems in August (other than being slow to get up).
Our vet says it is just bad arthritis, but I just hadn't heard or seen it get so bad so quickly. We can't get a second opinion, because we live in rural alaska and there is only one vet.
I realize both labs and pitts have hip issues, and it may just have caught up with him.
So my question to the brain trust on here:
Has anyone seen this speed of arthritis affecting active dogs? Has anyone had any experience of the same symptoms with their dogs with hip arthritis? How long did the dog last after these symptoms presented?
Thanks,
B
|
|
|
Re: Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
[Re: Duck Buster]
#6984052
12/05/17 08:20 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
10 years is old for a lab. I wouldn’t put any more money into him. Put him down and get a new pup.
|
|
|
Re: Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
[Re: scalebuster]
#6984119
12/05/17 09:11 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427
RayB
red bone Bob
|
red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427 |
10 years is old for a lab. I wouldn’t put any more money into him. Put him down and get a new pup. I'm thinking this is your only option, I'm sorry to say Has your vet tried Vetprofen, my GSP gets it once a day
Last edited by Barny Topwater; 12/05/17 09:24 PM.
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
|
|
|
Re: Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
[Re: Duck Buster]
#6984172
12/05/17 09:38 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 253
Triple7
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 253 |
Yeah I have a 14 yr old lab that hips are weak now. Pain manage and then put him down whenever it's too much or he stops having quality of life. I have to make a decision with mine soon also.
|
|
|
Re: Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
[Re: Duck Buster]
#6986937
12/07/17 05:28 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762
Duck Buster
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762 |
Thanks guys. I guess I didn't mention, he gets Carprofen 2x a day to help with arthritic pain also. Not planning on putting any serious money into him, just want the rest of his retired life to be enjoyable. UPDATE:: Went back to the vet today. The vet says on top of the arthritis, he has Degenerative Myelopathy. So, his spinal chord is degenerating, which is why he is falling so much. Looks like we don't have much time left with him. At least it isn't a painful disease.
|
|
|
Re: Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
[Re: Duck Buster]
#6986970
12/07/17 05:44 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 253
Triple7
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 253 |
Sounds like you should put him on steak and gravy diet and make sure he get's plenty of curled up by the fireplace time.
|
|
|
Re: Rapid degeneration of hips/ arthritis?
[Re: Triple7]
#6986984
12/07/17 05:49 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762
Duck Buster
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762 |
Sounds like you should put him on steak and gravy diet and make sure he get's plenty of curled up by the fireplace time. He already gets cooked salmon fillets 2x a week. Guess I will up it to 7 days a week- as I have a freezer full for him at the moment. make him a happy pup with a great looking coat. Cheers,
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), TreeBass, txcornhusker
|