Just got back from the vet. Hattie possibly has Vulvitis (hope that's the correct spelling) so I now have to get a wee sample

She said Hattie has an odd flap which is not normal and that her vulva is inflamed. She gave me some ointment to put on twice daily. Back on Wednesday with sample and a check up.
The bad news

Some of you might remember that I have been asking my vet down South for around 18 months/2 years about Hattie tripping up, no explanation really, other than her eyesight is a little cloudy and she might be getting a little 'creeky' with old age. This vet seems to think she has arthritis and has some muscle wastage in her back end and her tripping up could be to do with that. She noticed Hattie is weaker on her right back leg so is compensating. I have noticed over the last few months Hattie is wobbly/stiff when she gets up from a sleep and her back legs sometimes slightly go from under her during our walks and getting up. I am upset that no other vet has mentioned arthritis to me at all even though I asked repeatedly. I feel just awful that I haven't been able to do what's necessary to keep her comfortable because I didn't know


The vet has prescribed Metacam for pain, told me to keep her exercise regular and the same which I do and not to reduce it to keep her as active as she is. She said her weight is perfect at 25 kg and that otherwise she is in really good health.
Not feeling good, guilty, upset for my lovely girl


She was an absolute angel being poked and proded in her lady bits and having her joints manipulated. xxx