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My 15 year old black lab "Zoe" can hardly get up ...
Sent to Pet Experts June 28 08:28 AM

My 15 year old black lab "Zoe" can hardly get up most days, can not make it outside to go to to go to the bathroom. The vet said Assume she is in pain, I give her pain meds and pro motion daily. I have not really seen improvement. She is not well and i'm not sure what to do? I can not let her go to the bathroom in the house but she is so old I can not leave her in the garage. What can I do?

 

Optional Information:
Age: >12; Female; Breed: black lab

Already Tried:
pain medication pro motion

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 28 8:35 AM (7 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
How is the rest of her working? Is she eating and drinking? Is she bright, alert, and responsive to you? Older Labs get a myositis(muscle inflammation) in their rear legs that causes wasting of the muscles. Is that present? That responds sometimes to high doses of Vitamin E. Ask your vet if your dog has myositis.

If it is just the joints (arthritis or tendonitis) that prevent her from getting up, there is an injectible medicine called Adequan that may help. It makes the joints have more fluid and it rehydrates damaged cartilage. If your vet thinks that is the cause, ask about that medication.

Continue the exercising to keep the blood going in the legs.


Respond if you need more information or if my answer didn't exactly answer your question. If I have been helpful, please accept the answer and please leave feedback.

Dr. Louis Gotthelf
Animal Hospital of Montgomery
Pet Skin and Ear Clinic
Reply
June 28 8:56 AM (21 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
Reply to dr4pets's Post: eats and drinks ok. her spirit is going, she doesn't even play ball her favorite. hearing & vision markedly decreased how will i know when the help is better then the pain and discomfort for her?
Answer
June 28 2:11 PM (5 hours and 14 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I am not sure of what your last question meant.


Respond if you need more information or if my answer didn't exactly answer your question. If I have been helpful, please accept the answer and please leave feedback.

Dr. Louis Gotthelf
Animal Hospital of Montgomery
Pet Skin and Ear Clinic
Reply
June 28 2:26 PM (14 minutes and 54 seconds later)
         
Reply to dr4pets's Post: HOW LONG/MUCH DO I DO BEFORE PUTTING HER DOWN?
HER QUALITY OF LIFE IS NOT A FRACTION OF WHAT IT WAS. I LOVE HER AND EVERYDAY IT HURTS ME TO SEE HER LIKE THIS BUT I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A DECISION LIKE THIS BASED ON MY EMOTIONS. WE CARRY HER IN THE HOUSE SHE CANNOT MAKE THE 1 STAIR WITHOUT FALLING. SHE WILL LIE DOWN AND EAT.
Answer
June 28 9:43 PM (7 hours and 16 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
I always tell my clinets that "You will know." When the qualilty of her life is so bad or if she is in severe pain that cannot be corrected, then it is time.


Respond if you need more information or if my answer didn't exactly answer your question. If I have been helpful, please accept the answer and please leave feedback.

Dr. Louis Gotthelf
Animal Hospital of Montgomery
Pet Skin and Ear Clinic
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