sorry @Jen I only just realised you've got exactly the same one as Helen was talking about. how deep is the bottom mattress? did you get large?We’ve been really happy with Stanley’s. He’s had it a year and it’s still in really good condition and hasn’t flattened anywhere or anything.
I reckon he’ll have it for a good few more years yet!
I thought it was quite reasonably priced but I had been looking at orvis before that
Hattie, her lump and arthritis
- Thread starter Charlie
- Start date
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Hunter is small for a male dog. Weighs 27kg
If he does stretch out he does fill it!
If he does stretch out he does fill it!
Yeah we got a large. I think it’s about 4inches.
My favourite thing is how easy it is to clean. Can just hoover it or if it needs washing unzip the cover. I used to hate washing the full bed!
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
An update. Hattie is coming to the end of the bottle of Metacam so we will be back to the vet in the next few days to review. To be honest we aren't seeing much of a difference. I hope, if nothing else easing any pain or discomfort. She is still tripping up on her front legs so no change. She is still sometimes a little stiff getting up from a sleep and still some wobbles in her back legs when out on a walk. She wobbles when walking or trotting but there is no evidence of it when she is on full on running with Charlie, yes running!!
We have done all the recommended things e.g. keeping up her usual exercise, non slip mats, memory foam bed and supplements which they both have been having for a long time.
I would appreciate any advice on what I should be asking the vet about other treatments, if there are any or is pain management the only route for an older dog (12 years and 3 months)? I really am feeling anxious about doing the right thing which is keeping me awake at night and constantly on my mind.
Thank you xxx
We have done all the recommended things e.g. keeping up her usual exercise, non slip mats, memory foam bed and supplements which they both have been having for a long time.
I would appreciate any advice on what I should be asking the vet about other treatments, if there are any or is pain management the only route for an older dog (12 years and 3 months)? I really am feeling anxious about doing the right thing which is keeping me awake at night and constantly on my mind.
Thank you xxxI don’t really have an experience of arthritis Helen but I would say try not to worry too much.
You’re a very dedicated owner to Hattie and you didn’t believe her to be in pain, except a bit stiff which is to be expected at Hatties age. Her other vet didn’t think so either.
I know dogs are good at masking pain, but because of that and how she runs/plays with Charlie I would say she’s probably not in any major discomfort and everything you’re doing is fine.
You’re a very dedicated owner to Hattie and you didn’t believe her to be in pain, except a bit stiff which is to be expected at Hatties age. Her other vet didn’t think so either.
I know dogs are good at masking pain, but because of that and how she runs/plays with Charlie I would say she’s probably not in any major discomfort and everything you’re doing is fine.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
@Charlie, I think you need to ask the vet why Hattie is tripping up on her front legs and the wobble on back legs? Maybe as she is getting older she is getting weaker as we all do, perhaps some hydrotherapy would help? As you may remember Rourke has arthritis in both shoulders and left hind hock (he has bony lumps there) and also tendonitis and has a very pronounced lameness on his front, he cannot take Metacam as it causes stomach bleeding. You may find that CBD oil will help with any pain and I also give Rourke Yumove EXTRA which you can only get from the vet, also Fish for Dogs, salmon oil. I think the CBD oil helps with pain as Rourke appears to be happy when out, despite the distinct lameness. Hope this helps. Try not to worry, worry isn't going to help either of you. As it is supposed to say in the bible 'worry never made a short man 2" taller'.
So you could try hydrotherapy, CBD oil (that was recommended to me by a vet), Yumove Extra and Salmon oil. But I am not sure the tripping, wobble etc is arthritis, could just be old age or something else which is not causing pain.
So you could try hydrotherapy, CBD oil (that was recommended to me by a vet), Yumove Extra and Salmon oil. But I am not sure the tripping, wobble etc is arthritis, could just be old age or something else which is not causing pain.
Beanwood
Administrator
I agree with @Jelinga that the "wobble" may be something distinct from the arthritis but one may influence the other. The arthritis is a "probable" thing in a dog of Hattie's age. The only way to really tell in this is a simple Xray to get a good look at her spine and hips, a CT scan would give more information, but you probably wouldn't need it. A very good rehab vet/rehab physio can get an accurate idea simply through clinical observation and manipulation. Personally I would have an Xray with light sedation followed by a specialist physio/rehab vet referral.
Cassie has arthritis in her hips and the only feet she drags/trips is her back ones, never her front and only when I've walked her too far.
She's also stiff getting up. She wobbles on her back end but this is recent, she's lost muscle tone in her hips. She definitely doesn't walk the distance she could a year ago. So I would expect the muscle wastage. She sleeps so much more now. She may try to run but she can't.
Cassie is 2 years older than Hattie.
Has Hattie arthritis in her front legs? If so she may be tripping up through tiredness. Has Hatties ears been checked, ear problems can affect balance. These two things may not be connected to arthritis.
She's also stiff getting up. She wobbles on her back end but this is recent, she's lost muscle tone in her hips. She definitely doesn't walk the distance she could a year ago. So I would expect the muscle wastage. She sleeps so much more now. She may try to run but she can't.
Cassie is 2 years older than Hattie.
Has Hattie arthritis in her front legs? If so she may be tripping up through tiredness. Has Hatties ears been checked, ear problems can affect balance. These two things may not be connected to arthritis.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
@Beanwood I do accept that old age brings arthritis but I am more concerned about her front tripping up. We are wondering if it could be neurological? Do I want to put her through any sedation at her age and if I did what could realistically be done to help at a specialist physio/rehab vet. Also there is absolutely nothing locally. Everything is in Glasgow which is over two hours each way which of course I would do if it were to make a difference. I did talk to the vet about hydro and her feeling was the journey plus sessions would cancel out the actual benefits at her age. I feel that because of her age I am being fobbed off and if she were a younger dog lots would be suggested. I could of course just be over sensitive.
@Cupcase Her ears were checked in February and all was good. xx
@Cupcase Her ears were checked in February and all was good. xx
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Sometimes, less is more.
Is doing a whole range of investigations going to find a solution?
Treating the dog in front of you is what is important.
I really hope you get reassurance from your vet, and get an appropriate treatment plan xx
Is doing a whole range of investigations going to find a solution?
Treating the dog in front of you is what is important.
I really hope you get reassurance from your vet, and get an appropriate treatment plan xx
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Exactly and that's my worry about going the whole hog so to speak. I'm overthinking again, note to self, must STOP
xx
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Overthinking is not good for anyone 
This did work for a while with Lady. I gather it doesn't work for all dogs. She had annual injections and got 2 years improvements, but the year 3 injections didn't work about 12 months ago. She went onto Metacam as a permanent thing. It helped for a few months then started to have acute pain every now and then in one elbow and her rear end collapsed a couple of times. The vet says the latter is a touch of sciatica and the elbow is just advancing arthritis. She's now on Metacam supplemented with Gabapentin and for now that seems a good combination. She's stiff but pretty much pain free as far as I can tell. The only other thing I give her is green lipped mussel.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Beanwood
Administrator
Yes, and so has Benson, it took a while to show an effect, but he hasn't limped now in almost a year, which is fantastic!
Whilst I absolutely agree with less is more, especially with older dogs, I do think when you know what you are dealing with it makes things a whole lot easier. An Xray under light sedation would reveal any spinal deformity, for example spondylitis, which is more a form of athritis, but may impact on nerve signals. Plus you would also be alble to exclude certain conditons, so this would direct the most appropiate form of treatment.
Rehab physios offer so much more than hydro, and it just might be worth investigating along with a range of medications and supplements.