Hattie, her lump and arthritis

[Naya]

The good news is that now you know that it’s possibly arthritis, you can help her manage any pain. I really recommend green lipped muscle and tumeric. It’s really helped with Harley, alongside hydrotherapy and massage. I’m sorry your old vet didn’t pick it up and dismissed any concerns you had, but at least your new vet seems to be on the ball more. I know how devastating it is to find out they have arthritis so am sending you lots of hugs xx

 

[M.F.]

I’m so sorry. I can imagine how guilty you feel. I feel it all the time with Snowie. At least now you have pain meds for her and I’m sure she’ll feel great on them. I’d recommend taking her to a physio who can thoroughly examine her and give massage treatment and recommend strengthening exercises.

 

[Charlie]

@MellowYellow Hattie sleeps on a raised bed with vet bed for comfort, I hope that is supportive enough? Stairs are going to be a bit more of a problem as we have moved to an upside down house. David has made a barrier to stop her following me up/down stairs. I am ordering some more rugs for the wooden floors.

I am confused about all the joint supplements and can they be taken with Yumove and pain killers. Why does everything have to be so confusing!! I will ask the vet on Wednesday about a Physio and if there is any Hydrotherapy around here to help Hattie.

If she has some muscle wastage does that mean this has been happening for a long time? She runs around, plays with Charlie like nothing is wrong. She must be so good at hiding the pain. Very tearful here xx

Thank you all as always for your support. xx

Could a mod change my title please to Lady bits and Arthritis or however you see fit as that was totally wrong? Thanks xx

 

[kateincornwall]

@Charlie Have changed the title for you xx

 

[M.F.]

You could ask for a second opinion. And xrays if you really want to confirm arthritis. This is just one vet’s opinion. And I really do believe a physio is the best person to make a diagnosis. Or a specialist orthopedic surgeon. You’re beating yourself up from one vet visit. I know you only want what’s best for Hattie. And if you think she’s playing fine with Charlie, then maybe she really is fine.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Our dogs tend to just get on with it Helen.
Hattie is the same today as she was a month ago.
Try not to be sad.
Regular consistent exercise and limiting hoolies and "weekend cowboy-ing" is important.
Yumove and extra Omega--3 fishoils are the best I would say.

 

[Joy]

I can understand that you feel upset at the thought of your lovely Hattie being in pain, but the key thing is that now you have an on-the-ball vet and a plan for on-going treatment. And the chances are that maybe she has felt the odd twinge over the past year but she hasn't necessarily been in real pain - as humans we often have little aches and pains but wouldn't want our activity to be restricted or put on a course of treatment but just see it as part of getting older.

 

[Charlie]

@Charlie Have changed the title for you xx

Thank you Kate, I don't feel like such a prat now. x

Our dogs tend to just get on with it Helen.
Hattie is the same today as she was a month ago.
Try not to be sad.
Regular consistent exercise and limiting hoolies and "weekend cowboy-ing" is important.
Yumove and extra Omega--3 fishoils are the best I would say.

I know you're right, just a shock as I really never think of Hattie as being old due to her young at heart attitude to everything, so full of energy, eager to get out the door for her walk, playing with anyone who will oblige, chasing Charlie, playing tug with him. I just don't like to think of her having been in any pain. xx

 

[edzbird]

Helen, you've been doing fine by Hattie, no guilt allowed. Remember, because we are all of a certain dedication **, none of us ever force our dogs to work or exercise beyond their comfort. So glad there's nothing sinister going on.

** can't think of the right phrase

 

[Lab_adore]

I'm so sorry to hear this @Charlie; Hattie will be fine because of your care, love and dedication

 

[Candy]

You haven't let lovely Hattie down. As soon as you had concerns you took her to the vet. You give both your dogs fabulous lives. No more beating yourself up now! Hattie wouldn't want you to.xx

 

[kateincornwall]

I think it always comes as a shock to us , as loving owners , when our dogs show the natural signs of aging , we expect them to go on and on as they always did do . Arthritis is a common symptom of aging , in dogs and humans too , wear and tear on joints the same , so just as with us human sufferers , keeping active is vital , Use it or Lose it comes to mind whilst obviously not trying any heroics x I have found , over the last couple of years , that I cant do the same things I could do at one time without even thinking about it but I still enjoy a good active life with a little help from drugs Hattie will be just fine , she is a healthy girl who is just showing signs of her age , she still has much mileage left in her lovely body xx

 

[Cupcase]

I am of the opinion to expect my dogs to get arthritis in old age and Hattie at 12 is getting on just a wee bit, so don't feel guilty, she's been getting suppliments and now painkillers.

Now this piece of advice (maybe unwanted) isn't easy to carry out, it takes lots of practice. I highly recommend the second choice.

Number one - you worry about every fall, trip, sleeping for longer spells. Feeling guilty because she can't walk as far, so she can't go with you on some occasions, by choosing this you spend the years worrying and never make happy memories, just memories of the misery of the time spent worrying.

Or choose choice two and teach yourself to accept Hattie is older and be mindful of every precious moment you have with her. Learn not to think of what may happen but what actually IS happening. Tomorrow she may sleep a wee bit longer but today she's running about and you can't tell the future. You know Hattie better than anyone and you will know when she's had enough exercise, walking ect.
Please try to live with Hattie as she is, a happy dog that lives in the moment and create happy memories of the precious years left.

 

[Aitch]

Bear was diagnosed with arthritis about 9 years ago and is only now having a real problem. I figured, after his diagnoses, "well, he's the same dog he was yesterday" and treated him as such. The only differences I have made is moving to Youmove+ (as opposed to youmove) and he is now on pain killers daily and some for emergencies. His walks are now gentle trots where he has to be picked up several times during them but I still feel he has had a good innings since his diagnoses. Your diagnosis with Hattie is not a foretelling of immediate pain and suffering. She could still have a very active and happy few years ahead of her. Enjoy her, she is still the dog you had yesterday.

 

[Stacia]

Rourke is very lame, significantly lame, he cannot take pain killers and yet he seems happy enough. If Hattie can take pain killers she will be fine. You can try Yumove Extra (can only get that from vet) salmon oil and CBD oil, Rourke has 3 drops of CBD oil twice a day and I think that helps with pain.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Sorry to hear about all your worries with Hattie, Helen - though glad that her 'girl bits' will be on the mend with some cream and tlc.

I second the others that you shouldn't have any guilt. Are you sure that she has been in pain? If she's playing as normal but just having a creaky moment here and there, she's just getting on with it as @Jacqui-S said. Ageing is much harder on us than them sometimes. I was always amazed at how well Brogan coped with all the changes: learning hand signals when he went deaf and sniffing out stairs when he started to lose his sight.

I hope you a find a good plan for Hattie that you are both happy with and continue to enjoy every day with your gorgeous girl.

 

[Charlie]

@Emily_Babbelhund I can't be sure she isn't in pain, but all the signs tell me a normal owner that she just seems to get on with life with a wobble a bit stiff when she gets up from a sleep, tripping up which could be to do with her cloudy eyes and she is slower on our way home from walks. She, to me didn't show any signs of discomfort during the maniuplation of her joints. But the vet did say she was an amazingly tolerant dog to have had her 'bits' poked about quite a bit and her joints without any fuss at all, but I know that To look at her in action you would think she is a dog half her age. When she meets her doggie pals she zoomies around, can still chase the odd pheasant, retrieves you name it she's always part of the fun!

I met a man up the hill yesterday who told me his 6 year old Labrador was slowing down I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

I managed to collect the wee so hopefully no infection and no ABs needed.

The only thing that does worry me is stairs. Should I really reduce the use or can that help build loss of muscle? xx

 

[Cath]

Helen can you not buy a roll of vets bed off ebay and cut it into pieces that you need. I do this for my two, for wooden and tiled floors.
Easy to wash too.

 

[Charlie]

Helen can you not buy a roll of vets bed off ebay and cut it into pieces that you need. I do this for my two, for wooden and tiled floors.
Easy to wash too.

To be honest Cath we needed the rugs in our new house anyway but that's a good idea for small areas without. Thank you! xx

 

[Atemas]

I have just read this quickly @Charlie so apologies if I repeat anything someone has said. Please don’t beat yourself up about the arthritis diagnosis. You are a conscientious dog owner and our dogs are very stoical. We suspected arthritis with Sky when she was 8/9 but didn’t have the xray to fully diagnose it until she was 10. You have been doing all the right things for Hattie and will continue to do so.