Advice please about Leo

sami · #1 24-06-11, 04:18 PM

Leo is 11, he will be 12 in october.

A while ago he had a problem with his knee, couldnt walk on it at all. Went to the vet who said it was probably arthritis and prescribed metacam.

He had the metacam for about 10 days and improved a lot but was left with a limp still.

The problem now is that he doesnt seem too bad but sometimes he seems a bit depressed is the best way I can describe it.

He has done this a few times since he came off the metacam and I have given him a dose and he has seemed to be better.

I dont know is he is in pain, his limp isnt any worse, or if its because he doesnt seem to be enjoying his walks.

He has gone from over an hour walk to about 20 mins.

I dont know whether to give him a dose of metacam every few days or go back to the vet again to look at more long term pain killing. Dont think I fancy him being on metacam everyday for the rest of his life.

What do you think?

Tracy

#2 24-06-11, 04:23 PM

It's a difficult one.. is he able to walk further and seem brighter in himself on the metacam then, Tracy?

Some dogs don't show pain as such but his lack of interest would be an indication that he's in some sort of discomfort, to me anyway.

My friend's shep was on metacam daily in her elderly years. Maybe have a chat with your vets about alternatives?

Zak · #3 24-06-11, 04:26 PM

I would speak to the vet again.

sami · #4 24-06-11, 04:29 PM

He is not the brightest penny in the pile tbh Anni!!

Whereas Sami will just stop and go home when she has had enough, Leo doesnt he keeps trying to plod on.

He went from an hour to 20mins over night. I dont think he would be capable of going further even with the metacam but he doesnt seem to enjoy his walk much now anyway. I have tried walking him less and that depressed him even more. He pulls to go towards the fields, he wants to go wandering around them but I dont think he can but he doesnt realise it.

Tracy

#5 24-06-11, 04:52 PM

Poor chap

its sad when they do that. Is he on any supplements.. wonder if there's any oils / EFAs which might help his joints.

sami · #6 24-06-11, 05:04 PM

Its not like him, he is such a happy little soul normally.

At the mo I am giving him glucosamine and chronditin, rhustox and green tea.

Have just given him a dose of metacam so we will see if that brightens him up tomorrow.

There is hardly any metacam left so I might pop him to the vets next week some time.

Tracy

Mazz · #7 24-06-11, 07:13 PM

When we had our old boy, he wore a bioflow collar
Jack did seem better with it on.
Well he didn't know it was a special collar.
So it may be worth a try.
I myself have a bracelet, for arthritis.
Personally think it is rubbish, but like I said, Jack didn't know what his special collar was, it just worked for him.
Bazz got the bioflow collar off the net.
Mazz

sami · #8 24-06-11, 07:32 PM

I will try anything!!

Dont go for the whole homeopathic thing but Rustox is a godsend for Sami, she cant walk without it but it doesnt work for Leo.

Just want him to be happy.

Tracy

Stuart · #9 24-06-11, 08:15 PM

This is just like our old Bearded Collie,..he is 14yrs,.. he has a limp, or limps, and when we think he is in pain we give Metacam

...but to be honest, I dont think he is in a lot of pain,..I know dogs dont show pain easily, but the reason I dont think he is in pain, is because if while he is limping across the room and the others start playing,.. he is very quick to join in

When he does join in,.. or when he is on a short walk, he tends to loosen up a lot,.stiffening again during periods of rest or less activity.

I certainly wouldnt want Jake on any medication on a regular routine if I dont have to

#10 24-06-11, 09:36 PM

Quote:

This is just like our old Bearded Collie,..he is 14yrs,.. he has a limp, or limps, and when we think he is in pain we give Metacam

...but to be honest, I dont think he is in a lot of pain,..I know dogs dont show pain easily, but the reason I dont think he is in pain, is because if while he is limping across the room and the others start playing,.. he is very quick to join in

When he does join in,.. or when he is on a short walk, he tends to loosen up a lot,.stiffening again during periods of rest or less activity.

I certainly wouldnt want Jake on any medication on a regular routine if I dont have to

I know I shouldn't make comparisons, but with human joint conditions.. its as Stuart describes, discomfort initially then as the joint 'warms up', normal activity. Pain / stiffness often returns after rest though due to changes in the synovium.