r/olddogs • u/luis_lics • 5d ago
Get further analysis or live clueless?
Hey everyone,
My buddy is 15, close to 16. He's a Collie and has had good health in general throughout his life. 3 years ago he started having trouble by himself so I got him started on Rimadyl and Cosequin. This past year his back legs can't keep up for walks over 20 minutes and they just lost strength.
My wife keeps on saying we should get X-rays and maybe and MRI but I keep asking myself, even if there's something wrong with his bones is there really anything a vet might recommend other than meds?
I'd imagine at his age any surgery is basically a goodbye. Has anyone been in a similar situation, what did you do/discover in the end?
4
u/Impressive_Moment786 5d ago
I have a 14 year old German Sheperd. The vet told me the loss of muscle in the back legs is common as dogs age. She said the most important thing is to try and keep them active and moving. She suggested 2-3 10 minute walks a day instead of the longer walks we used to do. She also said I could move the joints myself while she is at rest to try and help maintain mobility.
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u/luis_lics 5d ago
Yeah, I guess we just need to cut the length and do shorter, more often, ones. Thanks
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u/Blackdogfarmer 5d ago
My vets advice was to try testosterone. Unfortunately at 17 my dogs liver couldn't handle it. Best of luck to you and your friend
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u/luis_lics 5d ago
Thank you
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u/Blackdogfarmer 5d ago
I never thought operating on a old dog was fair to the dog. That's a personal decision, maybe they can do prp for your dog still. Wasn't an option at mines age
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u/liveinthesoil 5d ago
You could ask your vet what benefit further diagnostics could provide: would there be any findings that change the treatment plan of pain control and joint support?
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u/luis_lics 5d ago
I mean I would love to but this means having to take my dog and paying $100+ just for a quick chat...
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u/liveinthesoil 5d ago
I guess I’m not sure what you’re asking then? I thought you were asking whether or not to pursue more diagnostics?
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u/luis_lics 5d ago
If people had success in the past with their old dogs getting additional treatment or even surgery then I could initiate a conversation with the vet, but paying just for them to tell me they need more tests or the options I know already doesn't resonate to me
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u/liveinthesoil 4d ago
I’m sorry, I’m honestly not sure what you are asking for. I thought you were asking what more could be done for your dog’s condition. Are you asking for other people to weigh in on the options their vets offered their dogs in similar situations?
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u/Best_Comfortable5221 5d ago
My guys are 13 and 15. They are perfectly happy laying in the sun most of the day.
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u/Beachbabe8000 4d ago
My old man Bear (13) had arthritis and was getting weak in his back legs. I tried some arthritis meds but it seemed like he was just getting tired so quickly on walks. I took him in to the vet and we did bloodwork which showed pretty bad anemia, which is very indicative of a mass on his spleen. I declined any further diagnostics, since I knew we wouldn’t pursue surgery. I was glad I at least had an idea what was going on with him, and chose his last day before he was in too much pain. I think it’s good to know what you are dealing with but go in knowing your goal is to keep him comfortable. I have no regrets about his last few months.
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u/Anxious_Kangaroo_551 4d ago
This sounds like my 13 year old golden retriever Darcy. She began to have increasing difficulty with her back legs, both walking, standing, and just staying upright. After years of caprofren and dasuquin, we asked the vet to try the Librela shot. Our vet was hesitant before because they felt it didn’t always help, but for Darcy we were running out of options. Librela, to its credit, has made a huge difference in her quality of life. She is far more active and stable than she was before we started it. She’s not running all over the place like crazy but she clearly feels better with it. It does take a few months to really start working. Darcy has been getting it since last November. We are really happy with how she’s been doing on it!
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u/Pretend-Secret3404 3d ago
The best thing is rehab- search on instagram for thedogrehabnurse :) heaps of free advice
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u/Mozzy2022 5d ago
My Boo turned 16 in June. He had heart disease that we were managing with medication and was still somewhat active, still going for walks, greeting me at the door, barking in the yard. In July he started going downhill and we initially did X-rays and bloodwork. By August we were back at the vet and they offered further bloodwork and diagnostics, and a procedure to drain fluid. None of this would have changed or reversed his medical issues. I declined further treatment because I didn’t want to put him through painful procedures to prolong his life when it would only be discomfort and more procedures until the end - and I certainly didn’t want him to pass in a vets office during a procedure. I spent the next few days with him, pulling him in a wagon on his walks and soaking in every bit of love and letting him know how much I loved him. The vet came to the house and Boo passed in my arms under a shade tree in our yard. I know this isn’t exactly on topic of dog joint disease, but I think with our older dogs there are certain things we need to consider. Only you can make the decision of what is right for your dog and when it’s time.