Advice Needed

[haden]

Hi, I wanted to get an opinion
My 14-year-old mixed doggy collie could not get up last week. She was lame on her back left leg. The vet said that she is not a candidate for surgery due to some arthritis issues in all of her other extremities. She limps on her front left foot. I hate to see her this way and was wondering if it will get better or is this the way she will always be?

[Ann2]

I'm sorry but this is a question for your vet. I don't think the members of WAB are qualified to give a prognosis. You haven't enlightened us to the cause of the lameness and even a vet would need to see the animal in question before giving an opinion.

Ann

[Nettle Runner]

Hi haden
My dog, Blackie, hurt herself one day, whilst running for a stick. She seemed to loose the use of both back legs. She could stand and walk a few steps, but was unwilling to take more.
Over the following days and weeks, she gradually started walking a few more steps each day, until after 3 months I started taking her out to Clumber Park again, for walks of about one hour.
That was about 3 years ago when she was about 13 years old. She never regained her old walking gait, but adopted a new one, with back legs wide apart.
Eventually she was going on walks of up to 3 hours on occasion, but only at her pace. She is almost 17 now, but still likes at least one good (for her) walk a day.
A dog can show you what she is capable of doing, if you carefully observe them. She used to come and stand in front of me, when she was tired, and I would carry her (for as long as I could), giving her a rest. Then she would walk a little further, and repeat her request when tired. She refuses to come out for second walks when she doesn't feel up to it.
So all I can say is, observe you dog and see what she is capable of, or wants to do.
Good luck,
Les

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Ann2

I'm sorry but this is a question for your vet. I don't think the members of WAB are qualified to give a prognosis. You haven't enlightened us to the cause of the lameness and even a vet would need to see the animal in question before giving an opinion.

Ann

I agree with ann - we're not really in a positiion to give you a great deal of advice so i concur - although you say that you have already seen the vet so presumably they must have given you some sort of prognosis

if , in addition to vetinary advice, you do want to get advice via a forum i would suggest that you might be better off with a forum dedicated to dog ownership - there is a good one here Dog forum

[Carl]

Originally Posted by haden

Hi, I wanted to get an opinion
My 14-year-old mixed doggy collie could not get up last week. She was lame on her back left leg. The vet said that she is not a candidate for surgery due to some arthritis issues in all of her other extremities. She limps on her front left foot. I hate to see her this way and was wondering if it will get better or is this the way she will always be?

I feel for you so bad.BUT i found this link:

Google Answers: Dog with hind leg problems

This is what someone wrote
"We have a beautiful 12 year old male Labrador dog with severe hind leg
problems. He finds it extremely difficult to lift himself off the
floor and even has to make several attempts to urinate successfully. I
would like to add that he gets as much freedom and affection in the
house as his human friends and is cared for very well."

And here`s how someone responded to it:

"I’m sorry to hear about your four-legged friend. It’s painful to
see a family member (as your lab seems to be) suffer. Larger breeds
such as labradors, golden retrievers, and German shepherds are prone
to hip dysplasia and arthritis, particularly if overweight. We are
unable to disagnose your dog’s condition online, but it certainly
sounds as if your friend may have dysplasia of the hip. Has your vet
mentioned hip dysplasia?"

How that helps.Keep us in form.
Best of luck.

[Kayleigh]

If the problem is due to arthritis you could ask your vet about glucosimin. Its good for the joints. Like the others have said you need to talk to your vet. Doggysnaps is also very informative. They have a doggy health section.
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