Does anyone have a similar experience?

Question

as I have right now?

Three weeks ago my dog who is at least 11 and maybe 13 yrs old, started limping badly. It was almost as if he had a stroke. His appetite decreased and he limped, but he seemed pretty much his normal mental self. We took him to the vet and they thought maybe he had injured his back or was developing arthritis. He didn't get better, but was nicely stoned from pain pills, and after a week we asked the vet to check his kidney functions. He had a bladder infection and was put on antibiotics and pain pills.

Four days later and he can no longer walk at all. My son and I are afraid that this is it for him. Has this ever happened to your dog and turned out well? Our appointment with the vet is in 3 hours and I am afraid that this is the end.

Thanks for your stories.

Thank you all for your help. He was completely paralyzed in his hind quarters. Outlook was grim and he was miserable.

We chose to let go of him today.

Baxter rest in peace.

Answer 1

I work at a 24 hour emergency VET hospital and yes I have seen this. Your older dog could have been painful for sometime and dealt with it. Arthritis is common in older dogs of all sizes. But what I usually see is a dog that has injuried a spinal disk. Xrays can detect that, so if you want to know for sure get XRays.

As for the infection that will clear with the antibiotics.

The reason the VET took a blood sample was to check the liver and kidney values to make sure that the Rimadly or Deramaxx (Pain Meds) is safe for your pet. Although extremely helpful, it damages the functions of these two organs named above over long term use.

As for euthanasia, it is a personal choice and if you decide to euthanize your dog do not feel guilty. Feel sad for your loss, however extensive VET care can get real spendy real quick. Not as to put a price on your love of your dog, that is priceless, but to be realistic. Your dog is probably nearing its life cycle and the signs are showing.

If you are willing to accomidate your home and life you could consider a doggie wheel chair. You can find them in the classifieds of any Dog Fancy Magazine.

Good luck and best wishes, I know that euthanizing may be a difficult hard choice, but sometimes it is the right one...especially when QUALITY of life is not as you know it with your dog.

Answer 2

It is unfortunate that people out live their pets :( If the Deramaxx, or Rimadyl didn't help with the suspected arthritis then it may indeed be something else. You could choose to do further work up to determine what is wrong, and not find out what's going on or find out they might need to be put to sleep. It comes down to your dog's quality of life. If you feel that he has a few more good years left in him then do all you can. If you feel that he isn't really enjoying things like he used to then maybe it is time that you let him go. But you and your vet will know better. I'm so sorry that you are in this situation right now. The night that I had to decide whether to put my dog down or not, he passed away in his sleep. Making the decision yourself is harder. I hope that the appointment provides more information for you and that you can make a good decision.

Answer 3

could it be arthritis?
I dont know about dogs, I've just had cats. A few of the cats I had ended up at the end of their life having kidney problems, but they never limped, it didn't affect their legs. The problem with your dog I think is something else. could it be arthritis? or, maybe you're right, a stroke. If it persists and the dog otherwise is healthy, I've seen on tv dogs that get along on wheels for back legs. But if the dog is old then it's just prolonging their misery if they are in pain. Figure out if the dog is in pain (sometimes they don't show it).

Answer 4

Did the pain meds make him worse. I have heard bad things about some of the pain madications given to dogs causing urinary and kidney trouble.

You should really prepare yourself for the worse and that is a good long life for yur dog.

I just recently had to let two very old large dogs go. I do recue and I did everything I could for them. However their lives were so poor to begin with there wasn't a lot to do. Neither had been around other animals and had to be kept separate. That was also no life for them. With them I couldn't rescue any other dogs from deaths door. I did feel so guilty not being able to help them that I took on a momma dog and her babies and five large dogs and an older puppy parvo survivor. ( I have five of my own already) Im loaded with dogs that are highly adoptable instead of sitting on two ancient dogs that had major health and behavior issues. Ihave drank and cried so much over not being able tohelp them its sickening but sometimes you just have to let them go. You don't want him in pain or doped up on drugs. It will never be the same and it will take so much time to heal yourselves. I had to let my 19 year old cat go a year ago and I still cry for her. At the end she was being kept in a large dog crate and that was no life for her either. Always on antibiotics couldn't eat without her teeth. We had to puree her canned food

Answer 5

Hi, First I want to say I feel for you.I thought maybe when I first read this that it might be a broken nail only.Just this week my 12 year old small terrier was acting funny and we found out it was only that ! When they get this age you tend to worry about their age. But then you said he's not walking at all now. If you trust the vet fine but I changed vets before and found more answers.If you have the strength emotionally & finanically you can find another opinion, help & maybe hope.If not God Bless you and I pray you fine an answer in your heart that you can bare what to do for your baby.God Bless You Honey!

Answer 6

Something similar happened to my cat. He had an infection and was treated with antibiotics. He didn't react well to that particular drug and became anemic. I thought I would have to put him down. The vet changed his antibiotic and put him on vitamins. He was back to his old self in a week.
If your doggy has arthritis, ask your vet about cartrophen injections. I've seen them work miracles in dogs and cats; I would also put him on a special diet for his kidneys such as Hill's K/D or Medi-cal Low Protein.
Good luck.

Answer 7

This could even be a pinched nerve, besides some other suggestions, like a stroke. A spinal injury may have occured.

Good luck with your appointment. Be prepared for x-rays of the spine or a neuro-image if available to confirm any possible dx.

Answer 8

It could be a number of problems, I've had 2 german shepard mixes and they both had spine and hip issues whenever they got older, especially in cold weather. He may want to xray his hips/spine, if he is a larger breed you could be dealing with hip/spine issues and the vet may want to start him on a steroid that will increase his appetite, and help with his back. With the weather getting colder a lot of dogs have a harder time getting up this time of year. But you could also be dealing with a number of other problems. Good Luck!! Hope everything goes well.

Answer 9

I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. But if he can't even walk I think that it his time to go. It would be selfish on our part if we didn't help our dogs go when it's time.

My dog age of 16 1/2 years old passed away almost 2 months ago.
It is a very hard thing to go threw, but you have to keep your dogs best interest at heart. When the bad days out weigh the good, then it is time. My dog had 1 whole week of bad days, that out weighed the good.
My Mom asked him if he was ready to go, and he let her know that he was ready to go.

I think that it is best that you say your good byes to your dog today. I'm so sorry your dog might not be around in 3 hours.
If your dog does go, mine will be at the doggie bridge to welcome yours.

I wish you, your family and your dog the best.

Answer 10

My greyhound started limping for no reason about a year ago. Because we lived in an area with a high deer population, he was tested immediately for Lyme's disease. Sure enough he had it. He was completely better after a round of appropriate antibiotics. I never knew that a limp was a symptom of Lymes!

Good luck!