I have an 8 year old mixed breed dog, Holly. She is very active and playful and showed no signs of slowing down... until now.

A few weeks ago she came halfway down the stairs and then stopped and refused to come right down. She kept looking pointedly at her hind legs. She came down eventually, and slowly.
Ever since then I've been noticing little signs if discomfort in her hindquarters. She is reluctant to rise and tends to lie down quite gingerly. Yesterday she was holding one leg up as she went down the stairs, and later that night she growled when my sister sat next to her - just a quiet rumble but she has never done it before.

I have a feeling it is arthritis or some other joint problem - I know she should go the the vet. But my parents - even though they have noticed her discomfort, refuse to take her. I can't afford to take her myself and she is registered at the vets in my dad's name.

I'm really worried about her. What can I do in the meantime for her? Is there anything I can give her to help and any particular exercise I should avoid? I have now moved her bed downstairs and I'm going to try to prevent her from coming up here.

Cutting out stairs is obviously going to help.  Adding fish oils to the diet can also be beneficial.  Supplements like New Zealand Green Lip Mussel tablets are reasonably cheap to buy from health.  If these things don't relieve her discomfort sufficiently to enjoy life I think you will need to diplomatically remind your parents that it is against the law to allow an animal to suffer without referring to a vet :)

Thank you, I will look into those things. I'm going to Bath Champ show, I assume there will be stands there that stock things like that?
My mum seemed to become more understanding and is agreeing to this, but my dad just started laughing at/making fun of me when I suggested she was in pain. It seems her leg would have to drop off for him to take me seriously :rolleyes:

Is she insured? if so all they would have to do us pay the excess and the insurance company will pay the rest. (some vets make you pay up front and get you to claim back) so check first. Doesnt matter thats shes in your dads name at vets, both my two are in my partners name and i have no problem taking them when they need to go. Print this page off and show to your parents that they are being cruel to the dog by not getting a vet to look at her. If your mother is willing to take her then go with her, you dont need your dads permission to take her just your mother to pay the bill. In the mean time keep up with what you are doing by limiting her exercise - maybe 2 walks aday at about 15 - 20mins gentle exercise on lead and just shut the door to the stairs if you can to stop her going up, but also cut back on her intake of food so she doesnt put weight on as shes not getting the exercise shes used too. Hope all goes well.

Unfortunately no, she is not insured. She doesn't seem to be as bad today luckily, although this has increased my parents suspicions that I am seeing things that aren't there! They were prepared to talk more reasonably about it however.
Someone recommended Dorwest Mixed Vegetable Tablets - has anyone else heard good things of these? I may be able to order them from the internet.