Ella went a bit lame last week, we were away for the weekend (first time in two years) and Ella stayed with my parents with instructions to rest her and take her to the vet if her leg looked worse.  They said her leg was fine by Sunday then after her short walk she could barely walk, then better again Monday.  I picked her up Tuesday and she seemed absolutely fine, walking normally, fine yesterday then, after her morning walk she didn't want to put any weight on the foot at all.  I took her straight to the vet who decided to x-ray her, thought she maybe had something stuck in her foot which was occasionally giving her pain.

Just picked her up and she has arthritis from an old injury (you can see bits of bone on the x-ray) and possibly a tumour although the vet is being cautious because tumours are so common in flatcoats.  We are to leave it a week with minimal exercise then x-ray again and he might then remove one or two toes.  I am in shock, how could she have had such a serious injury without us noticing.  She qualified for Crufts a couple of months ago so her movement has been fine.  Have we aggravated this throwing balls for her?  Have just spoken to my partner who is really upset and convinced he must have trod on her.  We all have, she's always under our feet.  I can't believe my happy, lively boisterous dog has something so wrong with her.  I feel so guilty for not looking after her, how will I tell her breeder she shouldn't have trusted us with her.
Sorry to go on just feeling so bad, I love her so much can't bear to see her in pain, we should have taken her last week but I honestly thought it was a strain and rest would be all she needed.  Start on the rimadyl tomorrow.
All the best, just needed to get this off my chest as no-one around to talk to.

I would reconsider the Rimadyl if I were you...try Flexicose or Syn-Flex instead, neither have 'death' as a side effect.