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Post by banjophil on Jan 2, 2015 5:39:34 GMT -5
Hi everybody. Buddy, my 13 year old greyhound is having difficulty standing up - his back legs seem to be getting weaker. He has been on Seraquin for a year or so, and has been on Metacam for about three months. He is eating OK and can walk OK when he manages to stand up, managing two (slow) walks a day. Very, very occasionally he stumbles and falls off his back legs.
I'm just a bit leery of the Vets, as he is on Metacam they keep wanting to give him blood tests for his liver which seems to be a bit pointless. I get the feeling that they are not very proactive and don't have a huge knowledge of greyhounds.
Has anybody got any advice, please?
Thanks
Phil
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Post by Flaperoo on Jan 2, 2015 6:07:23 GMT -5
Buddy has obviously been seeing the vet but presumably they are unable to diagnose anything in particular without further tests.
I understand your reluctance to go down this route because what if the blood tests show nothing, you are no further forward and if they do you will have a decision to make about any future course of treatment. I also get a sense that you don't completely trust your vets integrity.
I have an old dog and in your shoes and if he was showing the same symptoms I would probably think it was just old age but I would definitely want to find out if there was anything I could do that would improve his quality of life for however long that was. If the results showed something serious I would not opt for intrusive surgery/treatment but would want to know I was making his remaining time with me as happy and pain free as possible.
If you inform us of the area you live in I'm sure someone will come along and recommend a vet to you.
It is so sad to watch them as they get older and struggle. You know Buddy best and good luck to you both whatever you decide.
Maryx
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Post by Nettie on Jan 2, 2015 6:43:09 GMT -5
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Post by vickyb on Jan 2, 2015 6:45:58 GMT -5
I agree with Mary, I would have some basic blood work done and see what if anything shows up. Metacam can be harsh on the liver which for me would be a good enough reason to have the bloods done. There are alternative painkillers that can be tried and injections but it depends whether the problem is arthritic or more soft tissue or both.
I wouldn't be wanting to do anything hugely invasive but taking a bit of blood is nothing for most dogs. Again I'd agree that if you aren't happy with your vet then perhaps someone can give you advice on a good one in your area.
Has he lost weight at all as that seems to be very common in older greyhounds.
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Post by banjophil on Jan 7, 2015 4:16:09 GMT -5
Thanks for your advice, Mary, Nettie and Vicky.
I think that mostly what is wrong with Buddy can be attributed to old age. The Vet (or more accurately the Practice Manager) seemed to want the blood tests to check up on the effect of the Metacam on his liver rather than as a general diagnostic tool. Any surgery or major treatment is out of the question. I suppose when I posted originally I was hoping that somebody was going to come up with a "magic bullet" for the problem, a steroid or similar, but life usually is not that simple, is it?
We live in Burbage, Near Hinckley in Leicestershire. If anybody knows of any appropriate greyhound friendly nearby vets I would be glad to hear of them.
Poor Buddy now cannot get up on his own without assistance - which he does not like at all - so things do seem to be getting worse. It looks to me to be more about muscular strength, or maybe even nerve problems rather than the straightness of his legs, but thanks for the tip.
He has lost quite a lot of weight, but changing his diet seems to have restored his appetite and I think he has put a little back on again.
Thanks again
Phil
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Post by lurcherlot on Jan 7, 2015 4:38:32 GMT -5
I think that if poor Buddy can't stand up on his own, you really should take him to a vet. I appreciate your reluctance, but he needs attention.
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Post by banjophil on Jan 7, 2015 4:57:31 GMT -5
I shall take him today. I was just waiting to see if anybody knew of a good local vet and had any good ideas about what to ask the vet about. My wife thinks that steroids will help - I am far more concerned about the quality of his life rather than its length - or maybe there is some sort of rub. Apart from his back legs (and maybe his teeth) he is in great shape.
Incidentally, it our other greyhounds birthday today. Lola is now 12.
Phil
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Post by gazer on Jan 7, 2015 5:10:45 GMT -5
Unfortunately there are no quick fixes for our precious hounds when they get old. Most of us have been in a similar position and know how difficult it is to watch our hounds struggle.  Thinking of you at the vets today and sending gentle hugs to Buddy  Happy Birthday to Lola xx |
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Post by just jackie on Jan 7, 2015 6:27:48 GMT -5
We are in Ratby, Leics, so not a million miles away from you Phil. However I go over to Sileby, to Chine House Veterinary Hospital with my greyhounds and whippets as they are very good, and greyhound savvy. Maybe that's a tad far for you to come though. My old girl had trouble with her legs folding under her if she stood for too long, and I got a Ruffwear harness for her so that I could help to steady her if necessary without having to grab hold of her. The harness has a sort of handle on the back www.ruffwear.co.uk/dog-gear/harnesses/webmaster-harnessYou can see what I mean if you take a look on the website. They aren't the cheapest, but are extremely hardwearing and durable, and will last for years. Several Gap members use them for their tripods as well as for older hounds, and also for those who need a little more control. I think the weakness in the legs is partly due to the breed and the build to be honest, and I have known a few greyhounds that have struggled more in later life sadly. Maybe joint supplements would help a little. I hope if you do go down the bloodworks route with your vet that they find that everything is OK, and that it is purely due to advancing years, something that eventually catches up with us all unfortunately.   |
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Post by banjophil on Jan 7, 2015 7:57:25 GMT -5
Buddy and Lola have both been to Chine House and they certainly seem to know what they are doing. It is a bit too far really, especially as I can walk Buddy to the local vets and dont have to worry about getting him back out of the car.
Th Ruffwear harness looks like an excellent idea. I'll take Buddy down the vets to see what they say and probably order him one when I get back.
Many thanks.
Phil
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Post by just jackie on Jan 7, 2015 17:50:31 GMT -5
How did the visit to the vet go for Barney? |
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Post by Carol 47 on Jan 8, 2015 4:50:43 GMT -5
Just looking in to see how your precious little man is doing ?
Carol x
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Post by banjophil on Jan 8, 2015 7:42:38 GMT -5
Hi all, thanks for your concern. The Vet checked Buddy over and said that he had got a little worse since last time. She confirmed that the problem was basically arthritic in nature and the joint supplements and NSAIDs remained appropriate, but to up the dosage of Metacam to the maximum for his weight (about 28kg). She has also put in his notes that I can pick up some Tramadol to supplement the Metacam if the extra dose has not worked in about five days times. Thankfully she did not make a fuss about having blood tests to check his liver. At his age it is about quality of life and he needs the drugs, pretty much regardless as to whether they are affecting his liver or not. I got in touch with Ruffwear and they confirmed that the webmaster harness was ok for long-term use and for helping lifting Buddy, so one should be arriving tomorrow.  Now that all this has been put in place Buddy seems to have rallied a little and is managing to stand up without help about half the time! Thanks again Phil |
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Post by vickyb on Jan 8, 2015 10:07:25 GMT -5
That's good! the ruffwear harness are great, we used one on our River when he got wobbly and it was an absolute godsend when Gracie had her leg amputated. She's been lifted or helped over all sorts of things by it! 3 of ours are walked in them permanently.
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Post by greybeard on Jan 8, 2015 11:24:57 GMT -5
Glad to hear Buddy seems a little better - always horrible when they get old and creacky.Our Saluki x ended up an an antiflammortary at approx the same age age as Lola.It was long acting only once a month,certainly made a vast difference to her quality of her life,but downside for you cos she did need 3 -6 monthly bloods done.And still can't remember the name.But it was worth it - cos she was Kiz, able to do most times what she loved,walking with her friends.Nearly a year since we had to let her go,but I always think that she had 1 last happy day,thanks to the drug she had,that she had that.We didn't bargain for an unexpected blood clot - Cath.
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