5yr golden retriever with arthritis in 3 knees

[Dee and Isla]

Sorry all new on here so unsure where to post.

I have a female retriever named Isla. This year has been such a bad year for her one illness after another. Feb this year she caught the dealy silent disease pyometra and had 2 half litres of pus removed from uterus and full hysterectomy. Hospilised for 7 days and not until blood results came back day 7 did we think she would survive this result we waited for was the decision on surviving or being pts.

She has some kidney damage and slight incontinence now.

Last week she while out on run and playing with other dogs (friends dogs) a few of us all walk our dogs together. She decided not to join in which I must admit had been for a few days. On way home she began limping and tripping over front paw. Been to vet and now diagnosed with arthritis 3 knees and slight nerve damage on right front paw and right back paw. On metacam now and only allowed 3 x 10 min lead walk.

Anyone else experienced this and what can be done to prolong life. Due back to vet Wednesday and really don't want her to be pts. Love her so much but don't want her in pain.

 

[lurcherman]

So glad you said you dont want to see her in pain, for me it all comes down to quality of life.

 

[Chaumsong]

I would be guided by your vet, there are many medications that can help, my elderly collie is on a double dose of previcox which the vet was initially unwilling to give her but for me it's all about quality of life, not quantity of months/years left. This higher dose keeps her active and happy and if it eventually affects her kidneys/liver then we worry about that then. I also give my girl glucosamine and chondroitin, green lipped muscle and rhus tox - all designed to stop the arthritis getting worse.

My collie girl would not be happy with such short on lead walks, so for me that would be the deciding factor, however if your girl is happy with this then that's good. If you can get her sufficiently medicated for her to enjoy a run around even better

When it gets to the stage that they are simply surviving, not loving life, then we have to do the best thing for them, only you can decide when that is as you know your girl best. My thoughts are with you.

 

[Dee and Isla]

Thank you so much for your reply. Hopefully the vet will give her chondroitin I'm willing to try anything. Like you said I will be guided by my vets who have known her since a puppy. Once again thank you.