My 8.5 yr old cocker was taken to the vets on Wednesday as he seemed to have pain in what I thought was his back. After an examination vet said his rear right leg seems not to be as mobile as it should be. Possible diagnosis artheritis (SP). Prescribed metacam to use as and when (this is the second time this has happened in six months). He is now on day 4 of metacam. Yesterday hubby took him out and let him off the lead for first time in several days as we had noted a big improvement, he ran round like a looney (normal) for the duration. Today he is all sore again.....struggling to get up stairs, looking very sorry for himself,wants to go out but after 100 yards is struggling (walking slow, head down.... especially up hill). Any advice please on the following.
Should we be cutting out walks altogether?
How long should it take for the Metacam to kick in?
If it is his rear leg why isn't he limping?

One should exercise but the metacam is masking the problem and therefore the dog is overdoing it. Would keep to lead exercise for a couple of months to allow any damage to heal. Metacam will usually start to improve things within 48 hours, it is an anti inflammatory drug but although it helps with swelling and pain the damage needs to heal and it will take between 12 and 16 weeks if it is soft tissue and will only become more comfortable if it is joint.

I would be going back to the vet for a more certain diagnosis, becasue a mobility problem (such as artritis) is different to an injury. An injury often requires rest to heal, but a mobility problem can worsen with lack of exercise.
I have an old dog (14 years) with mobility problems (he's weak & stiff/arthritic in back end) and a 9 month old puppy that has elbow displasia. From personal experience I know that exercise is VITAL, but with any mobility problems you have to be very carefull not to allow the dog to over do it, and if that means walking them on-lead at a snails pace then that is what you need to do, the pace & distance can be built up slowly as the dog shows improvements/increased tollerance. With a little bit of trial & error you can get the balance right.  I've personally found that once a dog has mobility problems it is best to make sure they walk EVERY day unless they appear to have over done it then I would give 1 days rest and the next walk would be adjusted.

I wouldn't be cutting out walks completely, as in the long run it will decrease the dogs mobility further. I would keep the dog on lead until you see some improvements again and then only allow it off lead in 1 short session per walk (rather than for the entire walk), building up the off-lead time slowly.

I would also be stopping the dog from going up/down stairs and on/off furniture for a dog that is having problems walking these things can cause injury (they can slip/fall).

The Metacam can take up to 4 days to show any effects  (according to the leaflet - I have a pup on metacam).

But this is all things I found best with my dogs and on my vets advice. I would recomend that you take your dog back to the vets they will be able to offer exercise advice that is tailored to your dog.

Glucosamine suppliments are fantastic :)

Thanks for the replies..
It was hubby who took him to the vets, who didnt really say anything about excercise amounts. We had gone from 1 x 1 hour off lead walk and 2 smaller walks a day to 3 on lead very short walks a day, and even this seems hard work for him.
We will keep him to the short walks over the weekend and take him back to the vets Monday if there is no improvement.
Oh and I already have the glucosamine suppliments on order..

Thankyou
Nic

> 3 on lead very short walks a day, and even this seems hard work for him.

poor thing :(

Hopefully the vet can shed some more light, once you know what the problem is for certain it will much easier to help him.

Good luck :)