Arthritic greyhound can't climb stairs

[Mose's folks]

Mose is an 11-year-old retired racing greyhound who we rescued when he was 4 after he had recovered from racing and a broken hock. He's been fine until the last few months when due to arthritis he doesn't feel able to climb the flight of stairs to our flat. So currently his bed and food and water are all down at the bottom of the stairs. This is within our flat but just inside the entrance, in the foyer. There's enough room but he's lonely down there and we miss him. I have investigated installing a stairlift but it isn't possible. My husband and I aren't strong enough to carry him up the stairs, even with the sling I bought to put around him. A ramp I think would be too steep--there are 16 stairs and it's a steep incline. He's had cartrophen treatments for the joints, and he is on YuMove, but they aren't very effective anymore. Does anyone have an ideas?

 

[meleeka]

ask the vet about stronger pain relief. There may be other things you can try (mine was on Codeine, cheap and effective) and Onsior daily and it made a huge difference.

I carried my dog up the stairs every night for quite a while. When my back was sore somebody else did it or OH took the back end while I took the front. Luckily she was ok coming down. If that’s not possible I think they do settle and it worries us more than them I think. As long as he has a comfy bed and isn’t cold I think he’ll be fine.

 

[Mose's folks]

ask the vet about stronger pain relief. There may be other things you can try (mine was on Codeine, cheap and effective) and Onsior daily and it made a huge difference.

I carried my dog up the stairs every night for quite a while. When my back was sore somebody else did it or OH took the back end while I took the front. Luckily she was ok coming down. If that’s not possible I think they do settle and it worries us more than them I think. As long as he has a comfy bed and isn’t cold I think he’ll be fine.

Thanks for that, I will definitely explore other painkiller options. Much appreciated.

 

[Stiff Knees]

Pain and isolation from family will take their toll on his wellbeing so definitely explore other painkilling options, there are so many different options nowadays and most are very affordable (if he's not insured). Your vet should be able to advise. Cartrophen is useful to support joint health but isn't a painkiller and YuMove, I've found, does help but at the stage you're describing only as a supplement to painkillers and anti inflammatories. Good luck with him 🐾

 

[Sandstone1]

Defiantly look in to painkillers. Also have a look at the help um up harness. It's great for helping less mobile dogs. It's expensive but it's really good for helping old dogs.

 

[Snowy Celandine]

My whippet is on Metacam/Loxicom for the same problem and it's given her a new lease of life. She sometimes even runs for a few yards on our walks which is lovely to see. Best of luck to you and Mose. You sound like good, caring owners

 

[Mose's folks]

Thanks for all the replies, Stiff Knees, Sandstone1 and Snowy Celandine. You've all given us new leads to follow up!

 

[Sandstone1]

The help um up harness is great.

 

[Trouper]

If he is still strong enough to manage his front end, then we found a towel folded into a strap shape and looped round the back legs helped us to get our large dog upstairs with us and was a simple solution. Agree with everyone who has said investigate more pain relief but also that being in your company is vital for his mental health in old age.

 

[Mose's folks]

If he is still strong enough to manage his front end, then we found a towel folded into a strap shape and looped round the back legs helped us to get our large dog upstairs with us and was a simple solution. Agree with everyone who has said investigate more pain relief but also that being in your company is vital for his mental health in old age.

If he is still strong enough to manage his front end, then we found a towel folded into a strap shape and looped round the back legs helped us to get our large dog upstairs with us and was a simple solution. Agree with everyone who has said investigate more pain relief but also that being in your company is vital for his mental health in old age.

Thank you for that post! We plan to try exactly that this evening but also with the front-end harness we bought earlier--both of us, front and back together. If that is ok we'll purchase one of the harnesses that have two handles along the back which someone else recommended.