Hi
I would say at the outset, that I'm only asking for a general opinion re what's going on with my Basset.

He's 9 - 10 this coming October.   And from a few months from the 4 months he was at the outset, has had A LOT of problems, until recently mainly structural.   And that part of him hasn't improved - he's on Metacam permanently now.  He's tolerating this well apart from one gastric problem he had, which turned out not to be anything to do with the Metacam although he did come off it for around a month.

He was booked in to have a dental last week, but because he'd been licking his front legs (which are very 'thickened'), one worse than the other, the IV line they felt they wanted to put in (he has a heart murmur but isn't on meds for that yet), they had to abort, putting him on a/bs and a special shampoo to hope later on, they could 'try again' with the dental.   After last week (and the shampoo is doing nothing) it took 3 or so days for him not to be uncomfortable, probably to do with his arthritic spine and being in the cradle they use for such surgery.   I cancelled the 'try again' appointment for the dental.

He has had some inflammation in his eye, one worse than the other for a while and this morning, was squinting, despite being treated with Maxitrol. So off to the vet, again, today.  Green eyedrops in both eyes has revealed ULCERATED CORNEA, both eyes.   The Maxitrol was totally inappropriate and he's now on antibiotic drops twice a day, and drops to 'heal' the ulcers 4 X a day.   Plus some topical skin treatment for the paws.

I shouldn't bang on about cost, but it is increasingly relevant with over £80 for last weeks' aborted dental, and another £83. today.   He has to go back on Friday to check for progress.   We've had this ulcerated cornea problem in another hound, some years ago now, and that was debrided but ended up having the third eyelid stitched across to make a natural bandage to achieve healing.

My question is, given he's eating fine, peeing and poohing fine but not very keen on his walks atm,  for how long do I continue with this, really.    I can't talk to his breeder as she disappeared off the scene some years ago now.   I wish I could.

Unfortunately, with any pet, it comes down to money.

If your dog is enjoying his food and enjoying his life, and you can afford to, I think you should keep going.
At his age, and with his health problems, he doesn't 'need' a walk. As long as he can get into the garden to toilet he should be happy.
I always think you can see in their eyes when it's time to go.

I think we have to ask ourselves (especially with an older dog) -am I doing this for me to keep him with me for a while longer, or am I doing it for him?  And if its for him I think the treatment would have to be giving a much better quality of life.  Of course cost has to be a consideration as very few of us have endlessly deep pockets. Such a hard thing to decide.
This is just my personal opinion and each of us must do what we feel is right.

Thank you, you two.   This is soooo hard because just as I get to thinking enough IS enough, the lad rallies and seems to be enjoying life within his abilities.   Yes, looking into their eyes has usually been my way to know when it is time (looking into this lad's eyes right now - yuck!)

It's just been one thing after another and this latest has thrown me a curve ball for sure.  And I have to say that up to the last year or so, we have had enough funds to weather these panic situations.   Not so now and I have to wonder for how much longer we can keep afloat with no significant income, and being Pensioners on a fixed income.

I suppose I'll have to see what Friday brings in terms of improvement from the two sets of drops he now has.   Thank goodness he's an easy boy to treat and it's not a fight.

At the end of the day, there is only one outcome to any life, and throwing money at it won't change that.
Perhaps , while you're at the vet on Friday, you should have this discussion with them.
I feel so sorry for you as I know I'm going to be in your shoes one day, and I'm dreading it x

I have always erred on the side of 'better a week too early than a day too late'. Having watched my Mum suffer and beg to die when she had terminal cancer made me determined that, if I could help it, none of my pets would ever suffer.

My dogs have a good life, active and interesting, and when I'm concerned they may be in pain they are let go, held in my arms. Some would definitely keep them longer, maybe even years longer but not me.

So, I guess if I owned your boy I would let him go, not because of the financial burden but because he's not enjoying walks, he must be in pain with his various skeletal issues and ulcerated eyes are painful too. That's just my opinion though, shaped by my life, I don't judge anyone for wanting to do more for their beloved pet and keeping them longer than I personally would.

Thanks again - I guess Friday will be the day I have to make this decision really.   Unfortunately the vet I usually see with him is off this week .... Sods Law.

As you prefer another vet who presumably knows your boy and you would it be possible to have phone consult when he gets back as this is such an important and difficult decision ?

Obviously you will still need to see someone on Friday for his current problem but may help your thoughts

Mine do and don't charge

While you think I too wouldn't worry about walks if he isnt keen and just allow him to potter at home while you keep him as comfortable as possible.

A word of caution. Do not rely on a dog 'eating' as a sign that things are ok. I made this mistake with my own bitch. I was sure that dogs would go off their food if something was seriously wrong. I was wrong. My bitch continued to eat even to her last day. She hid her illness very well but she was riddled with bone cancer and must have been in agony for some time - but she never lost her appetite.

I totally agree with not letting appetite be a deciding factor. My old boy that I recently had to say goodbye to was eating fine and looked forward to his food. In fact as I sat on the floor with him whilst he was making that final journey he was eating treats from out of our hands right up until the end.

I had actually taken him in for that last visit two days before but one of the vets said that as he was still eating and wagging his tail that it might not be his time yet. Three days later - still eating and wagging his tail - he made that journey and I wished I had let him go on that first visit. You know your dogs far better than anyone else and you need to do what you think is right. Wishing you peace and courage for when that time comes.

I hope all goes smoothly tomorrow if you go, very sad for you, I'm sure most of us know what its like to lose an old friend. x

UPDATE.    The vet I saw today checked him (more green dye) and it seems both ulcers are responding to treatment.  Yeah!   He wants me to take him back on Monday when the vet who saw him first is on duty again, so she can 'compare'.  He's to continue with both sets of drops, but only twice a day, both, not one 4 X per day.    So he lives to tell another day.

Just to add re stopping eating at the end, only once have we had one, in all our hounds, who continued eating to the day we had to let her go.  My comment about that obviously has to apply to my experience, with my main breed.   And other dogs/breeds may be different (are different ).  Finally not eating, with my main breed, means they have had enough - usually.

I thank you all for your sympathy however.

Pleased to hear that his eyes are responding to the treatment.  Hope he soon recovers and continues to enjoy life.  You must be sooo relieved! X

So pleased that your dog is responding to treatment. They do like to keep us guessing don't they

I'm smiling here.  So very pleased for you.

   Don't get too optimistic just yet!    I still have to take him back on Monday - the vet I saw on Friday felt it would be a good idea for the vet who saw him first, last Wednesday, to see him on Monday 'to compare'.   At the time I thought makes sense BUT on reflection shouldn't this QUALIFIED VET  be able to see for himself?   He did the green dye test after all.   I'm getting very concerned about this continual draining of money going on.   Eg. re his licking (front paw), so far I've been given 3 different preparations, two shampoos and a cream, totalling £53.60 (£64.32 INC. VAT).  I appreciate that not all treatments work for all dogs but ..... I'm getting a collection of barely used preparations!!

So what am I looking at for a repeat examination on Monday?  Friday's visit, which I'd have gone for in any case to see if the original eye medication was working, included a 'repeat visit' charge £19. + vat), more of the eye drops (very small bottles which I doubt would have lasted through the weekend) + Malaseb shampoo which I wasn't very happy about as it's harsh and made previous use on other hounds, result in angry places, not an improvement.   He seemed to think I should try it.....   

Don't get me wrong - I have always paid for whatever my hounds have needed, over our needs, but I am now starting to have to watch costs.

Anyhow, keep the good thoughts coming - they ARE appreciated.

From what you've described, I'd be surprised if the paw licking isn't a pain symptom, referred pain from his spine, rather than something to do with his actual paws.  If his structural problems are that significant then metacam alone may well not be enough for him - many dogs at his age with problems like his are on multiple painkillers, because they are more effective used in combination.

I'd also not worry about walks.  If he's not keen then he's not going to be enjoying them much, and I would think they'd be painful for him anyway.  Walks aren't a necessity and a lot of people with arthritic dogs find that if they really stop and listen to their dogs, they want much less exercise than we think.

> I'd be surprised if the paw licking isn't a pain symptom, referred pain from his spine

I had gone there too.   But then he also needs a dental and having started this licking causing sores, he could be transferring bacteria from mouth to leg and making clearing it all up, more difficult to achieve.    He is now having washes (not exactly baths) with Malaseb, a shampoo I have always found very harsh, twice a week.   His skin seems to tolerate this better than most when I've used it in the past (and stopped) and even shows signs of improvement.

You are of course, right re his exercise.  It's clear he's had enough with just a short way down the road although on some days, he'll go further, up to the local field.    Strangely he's not lame/limping however.   My vet did say he could have Paracetamol if I felt it necessary.   When he had a gastric episode, he came off Metacam for some time, and was given Pardale which is basically Paracetamol.   It wasn't enough on it's own so once over the gastric problem, he went back on Metacam.

It's very much day to day with this boy and he certainly keeps me on my toes re what's next...... and emptying my Bank account.

Re your comment about Pardale......
Zuma had a swollen hock joint about 3-4 weeks ago, saw vet on Sat am and got given Noroclav and Preds which meant he had to come off Metacam so the Vet put him on Pardale. Dose was 3 x pardale 100 twice a day then reducing.
I gave him first dose at lunchtime but by about 6-7pm he was totally out of it, wombling round staring at the wall, outside to pee but not knowing why he was there, looking at his evening carrot treat like he had never seen one before !!!
I didn't give him any that evening, only gave him 1 each dose on Sun and rang Vet Mon am ........... not a known side effect but keep on the one tab!

My arthritic boy is the same MamaBas, sometimes he just wants a short walk and sometimes will go a bit further. Sometimes we only get to the end of the drive and he says"oops sorry Mum I didnt want to go after all " . But thats fine.  He knows best how he feels and we just take it one day at a time.

Further update.   I took Frankie back today for a further check up.   His left eye ulcer has now healed .   The right eye, which I felt was worse from the start of all this,  is vastly improved but I have to continue the treatment for another week when, Friday next week, I have to have him checked again.

@ tat .... I had a reaction like that with one of mine on Tram.   She was really spaced out, so came off it!!  Frankie was fine when on Pardale in terms of side effects like that but I can't remember his doseage.   I just know it didn't help anywhere near as well as Metacam, for his problems.

Perhaps alongside the metacam, it would make things better though?  That is often how it goes - alone they might work a little bit but not enough but together, different drugs are more effective.

If you're on Facebook then you could also have a look at the Holly's Army group; they're the 'face' of CAM (Canine Arthritis Management), a vet based group.  Very helpful and supportive group.  The CAM website is good too.

Update, update.    I had Frankie back to the vet this past Friday for another eye check.   Both ulcers have now healed (although for me, his eyes still look a bit more red than I'd like).   I have to put the 'healing' drops in a few times a week, probably to the end of the tiny bottle but otherwise for that, he's signed off.   Phew.   

Now if I could keep him off his front leg.   In that, I talked about the aborted dental and said I'd managed to get some of the plaque/tartar off with my dental tool.   At that, the vet said hang on, left the room and came back with a pincer-like tool and proceeded to work round his mouth, pinging off the tartar which was worse on his upper jaw.  There's no sign of any rotten teeth.   So that looks as if we can swerve/delay a dental - and she didn't charge for doing that.     Yeah!!

Great news!