Hello, sorry I am not a regular here, just read posts mainly, but I'd like some advice, please.
I have a Dogue de Bordeaux who turned 10 last August. He has obvious signs of aging and is on medication for arthritis. He had blood tests a few months ago, all normal, and a general examination by the vet about 8 weeks ago. His only problem was the back legs, but now, this week,  it's as if he suddenly really aged. He still loves his raw bone, guards it, barks if he hears noises, and loves his belly rubbed. But he cannot always get up on his own. We must help him, and he cannot go up any stairs. He seems fine most of the time, especially when I give him treats and raw meat, but he spends a lot of the time lying down. Sometimes I think it's just because he cannot get up! We are feeding him inside most of the time, and his water is inside, too- he is an inside dog with access to a large garden, but needs go go down some steps. I don't know what to do. I talked about the possibility of having to put him down but my husband cannot accept it. I think he has a lot of life in him still, but the problem is his legs cannot hold his weight. I was wondering if the vet would be able to give something else stronger? The only problem is he doesn't seem to have a lot of muscle on the back legs anymore, they are so thin compared to the rest of his body. Does anybody know if there is any drug on injection that can help my dog to get up again, please? Many thanks in advance.

How many steps are there down to the garden? If there are only a few could you build a ramp to go up and down?

What medication is he currently on?  A review may be needed and perhaps a change or addition made.

Hello, we have ordered an Xl ramp as there are 5 tall steps, and I'm hoping he will use it; also getting one front and one back support harness to help him out

Hi, he is on meloxidyl and Lupozan pellets once a day and stomach tablets twice a week. I will call the vet tomorrow and ask, I just hope he doesn't suggest having him put to sleep

Something stronger may be in order then.  Personally I've never found any of the variations of loxicom (of which meloxidyl is one) all that great and there are many other anti-inflammatory options that may help (rimadyl, previcox, trocoxil, onsior, PLT to name but a few), as well as stronger painkillers such as tramadol.

For my dogs I use golden paste (a turmeric/coconut oil/black pepper recipe) which is a very potent natural anti-inflammatory remedy and so far, I've found it better than any conventional stuff but of course, every dog is different.  One of my wonkies needs tramadol alongside it as alone, neither drug is effective enough but together they work well for her (the tramadol is mainly for her slipped disc but it helps considerably for her arthritic feet).  Often a combination like that does help a lot, and on the supplements side, there are dozens of things you could try.

I will say that at 10yrs old, as I'm sure you're aware, for a DDB you're looking at quality over quantity at this point, but that does not mean you should just give up - there are so, so many options these days.  Have you tried any complementary therapies, such as hydrotherapy or acupuncture?

Yes - ramp!!    We have just had to buy another (we had one for a couple of steps outside our back door when he was a puppy) to avoid my Basset going down the steps too fast, following our Whippet out.   He has spinal and hip problems although he's only coming up to 7!!

And I've just ordered another longer one (the normal length was too long for outside here but I sourced a half-length one on Ebay) for the back of the car.   Lifting a 35 kg hound = our backs suffer!    He's not off his back legs, but looking at his x-rays, shudder - and weep.

Oh and PLT tablets were a god-send with one we did have go off is back legs years ago.   Spondylitis.    Currently mine is on Metacam and a lowered now, painkiller ...  something I'm not familiar with called Gabapentin (capsules) which combination seems to be working, for now.  My vet told me PLT wasn't used so often these days?

Riaflex Advance is a very good supplement for joints as is Golden Paste - just check for any interactions with GP and NSAIDs.

I've heard of good reports on Golden Paste too in cases like this. His legs will be thin due to muscle wastage because he is not using them as much any more probably because he is less active as he is in pain. Dogs are very good at masking how much pain they are in so this may have been going on for a while without you knowing. If you can get the pain under control then he may be able to become more active and rebuild the lost muscle and regain a little of the dog he once was.