My 13 year old is having problems

[Titan2001]

Hello! Well, after 13 great years my boy is finally starting to show his age and it's very upsetting to see him wither away. His back leg and hips are so stiff that he's now having problems even going to the bathroom.

It's tough because mentally he's all there and the only other problem is that his hearing has gotten much worse, but other than that he's ok. His legs now sometimes slide out from under him and it almost brings me to tears when I see it.

I give him a baby aspirin everyday to combat the pain, which seems to work for a while, but then it starts all over soon thereafter. He's starting to go to the bathroom inside the house because I think it's too difficult for him to go outside and hunch over. It's just very tough to deal with and I'm not sure what to do. I don't know if I should try and see if arthritis medicine will help or if maybe it's time to start thinking about the other option. I'm not sure I could bring myself to go through with it. A part of me wishes he would just go to sleep and never wake up, that way I wouldn't have to see him pass away.

I've had him since I was 20, and honestly I never expected him to live this long because he's been dealing with seizures his entire life, but I'm so thankful he has been around for these 13 years. I guess I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance about the situation. I know everyone goes through it, but you don't really think about it until it becomes real.

[POPTOP]

Hello and Welcome!

It's so hard as they age. I know from experience as we home senior labs. First thing, a good checkup with a senior blood panel to see what is going on. Make sure there is no urinary tract infection.

Our Melody was quite unsteady on her back legs due to lower spine arthritis. She was also fecal incontinent due to this. After a good check, she was put on Tramadol and it helped her tremendously. The fecal incontinence stopped.

We also have rubber backed rugs all over the house for better traction, and this includes the back deck. Also, DH build a ramp off the back deck, even though it was only three steps. Ok, they are not fashion statements but I could give a flip; it gives the pups traction. All of ours have have ortho beds for comfort. Got a walking harness from Ruffwear Ruffwear Web Master Harness | Web Master Harness | WebMaster Dog Harness | Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness | JJ Dog. You notice that there is a strap well back under the belly. The handle on top is strong and rigid. It may look complicated, but it's easy to get on and off, very adjustable, and all buckles and adjustment areas are padded. I could give her the extra support she needed when going potty. There are other harnesses on the market that look just as good.

Another thing I've done with all our seniors is range of motion exercises. With your boy laying on his side, place your hand gently on his shoulder and move his leg slowly and gently forward and back. It takes a little practice and your boy getting used to, but it does help. I would do each joint in each leg, gently and slowly. At first, he might resist. Do what he tolerates. It has become a ritual here, after dishes done in the evening it's massage time and my guys look forward to it. I talk to them throughout the routine in a soothing voice; it turns out to be a precious time of loving and helping in any way I can to help them be more comfortable.

Sending lots of mojo (very powerful lab board stuff). I know how you feel. Please don't hesitate to ask questions on the board or PM me if you need. I think you need 5-10 posts to start using the PM feature.

[smartrock]

I'd definitely see if your vet can give him some arthritis or pain medication to see if that helps before having him put to sleep. It sounds like the baby aspirin helps, albeit briefly. I'd bet there are meds that are stronger and longer lasting that could help. If he seemed miserable and wasn't eating and you saw no spark, maybe it would be time. But if he still seems otherwise OK, I'd see if he got any relief from medications. NSAIDs such as Metacam or Rimadyl work well to decrease inflammation, but can be hard on their liver or kidneys, so having blood work done to make sure there's no pre-existing problems would be important, and monitoring every 4-6 months would be needed for any NSAID medication. Some people think Rimadyl is particularly problematic for labs but many use it for long periods without a problem. You need to monitor their liver and kidney function with any NSAID. Tramadol is not an NSAID, but still a pain reliever, so it wouldn't decrease inflammation but would help with pain. Get him checked out by your vet and see what is possible for him.

It's always hard to make the decision to let them go, and at 13, your boy is getting on up there. There are other elderly labs on the board here, though, some older than yours. So, I'd see what else could be done to help him before I'd think about having him put to sleep.

[MikeLynn]

I know how difficult and sad this is. We spent over a year on an NSAID with Lynn because of her bilateral HD; it helped a lot and without it she wouldn't have been able to walk. It helped tremendously because she was able to move around without any serious problems - slowly, but surely and without pain. The only problem was that I couldn't take her off the meds and all these things have side effects; some of them more and some less serious. Sending good thoughts for your boy and fingers crossed, so you find an acceptable solution to make him a happy dog - pain free and mobile.
...and, of course, Hi and welcome!

[Snowshoe]

Have to agree with a Vet visit. Baby aspirin is not much pain killer so if it's helping at all then I'd think your Vet could prescribe something that might help more and better. My last girl's back went and stronger meds were needed but they definitely did help her. You really need to Vet to be sure where the problem is, it could be your boy's back too. And it could be multiple things. For instance dogs do get dementia and he might toilet inside because of that or because it's too painful to move or, like my girl, have a neurological problem in the back that means he simply doesn't feel a poop coming on.

Sorry this sad worry is what brings you here but welcome. Lots of us have gone through similar things with our old dogs, we all hope you try to find more answers and let us know what you find out.

[Calley's Family]

First thing is a visit to your vet.
We have been there and are getting close with our 2 now. Tramadol seems like a miracle drug to us. Calley our almost 12 year old started showing signs of being in pain and VERY uncomfortable. This was about a week after we first discovered Midnight's lump in his anal sac. I thought it was the end as we would not make her suffer like that. Our amazing and I do mean amazing vet examined her and did x-rays. She has arthritis almost all through her spine. He prescribed Rimadyl and Tramadol. Wow- the difference is astounding! She runs around and bounces like she is 5 years younger. Midnight has been on Rimadyl for a year and a half ever since his two TPLO surgeries. He is now on Tramadol after the recent cancer surgery and it is making a difference also. He is not as stiff or unsure footed as he had been. And Tramadol is not anywhere near as hard on their internal organs as Rimadyl or the other NSAIDs.
Our last Golden Retriever Sebastian lived until he was 15. He had a lot of the issues you are dealing with. He got really skinny, stiff, weak in the hind end and he went deaf. He didn't potty in the house but he did fall sometimes and stairs became very difficult for him. He was very healthy otherwise and his heart was very strong. There were many days towards the end when we just knew it was time then all of a sudden he would wake up and have a great day. You will know when it is time. It is the hardest thing ever but the right thing to do for our loved ones. I understand the feeling of wishing they would just die in their sleep so I wouldn't have to make the decision. I remember waking up many mornings and listening for his breathing with a part of me terrified that he had died but a part of me wishing that he gone peacefully in his sleep. I bet we are not alone in this.
Please let us know how he is doing.

[Titan2001]

Thanks for the replies and kind words. I think I'll take him to the vet on Friday. Are these medications expensive?

[JenC]

My senior gets tramadol and it's relatively inexpensive. You should also have the dog on a joint supplement.

[Titan2001]

My senior gets tramadol and it's relatively inexpensive. You should also have the dog on a joint supplement.

Can you recommend a good joint supplement?

[smartrock]

My vets like Cosequin DS or Dasuquin with MSM- they specified that it should include the MSM in the formulation. Some people give their dogs human glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM supplements that they get at places like Sams Club or Costco. Lots of people on here use Hylasport or Glycoflex. If you're seeing a vet, see what he/she recommends. In addition to the Dasuquin, I give fish oil and Vitamin C. I think Hylasport contains those already.