We took Ollie to the vets for his annual booster and to ask about a worry we had. For the last couple of days he has struggled going up stairs, and up the back door step. His appetite is normal, but he seems quite miserable and is not enjoying his walks. We cannot recollect him banging himself, although he does play with a German shepherd who charges quite roughly at him. The vet checked his legs and said his front ones seemed fine, but his back ones felt a bit stiff (although she said it was hard to tell as Ollie was so scared of the vet he was shaking like a leaf, and very tense) The vet prescibed metacam (sp?) and rest for a few days. If there is no improvement she would like to take an x ray and/or examine him under sedation.
Ollie is only three years old, but the vet said if he was older athritus would be her first thought.
I am really quite worried as he is really unhappy.
Does anyone have any other ideas as to what it might be?

Regards
Nicky

Nicky

What breed is Olllie?

He is probably unhappy because he is in pain. It could be a number of things. Metacam is an anti-inflammatory so should help. He could have just taken a bang to his rear end that has caused him to seize up a little. You could try givinh him some pain releif too - but check with your vet what she would recommend doseage wise.

Pam n the boys

Pammy
Ollie is a Cocker Spaniel. I was under the impression that the metacam contained pain relief, I will check the leaflet. Its typical, but this morning when I took him out, he was dying to run about (more his normal self). We will just have to see what he is like after a couple of days of rest. It is quite possible that his German Shepherd friend has ran into him a bit too hard, she chases him and then tries to grab his tail/bum or just knocks him over :)
We will have to watch them next time they are together.

Nicky

Hi Nicky, if it is arthritis and not just a strain or bruise, I've had good results with Cosequin another glucosamine & chondroitin preparation. Its expensive but is supposed to be formulated for better absorption. My old Storm sheltie still needs Rimadyl as well, but I doubt that he'd still bewith us without cosequin, and Madame La Piranha was able to come off Rimadyl for deerhound neck almost completely after she started on cosequin.

Hi, one of our Mastiffs has recently had difficulty getting up from a resting position. I have been giving him a natural product i.e. no drugs called Syn Flex which is a Glucosamine liquid with 11 other natural ingredients for the past 11 days. It has had a wonderful effect and the dog is now getting up with no problems and running around like a puppy ! Syn Flex is manufactured in the USA but available here from a company called HWIZE who are at www.hwize.co.uk and it costs just under £24 inc of delivery for an 8oz bottle which should last at least a month.