Arthritis-when do you call it a day?

[Skhosu]

We have a 15yr old golden retriever with it, and an 8yr old lab, the 15yr old is really feeling it, struggling with a 45min walk round out local park which is pretty much flat.
That's not such an issue, we'll just not make her walk that far in future, she gets very sore on one leg after any distance, but still woe betide you if you leave her behind, she does an extended trot/lope out to the car, flies over at the sound of food, (despite being senile in the park..and sometimes getting lost or not being able to find you, again, easily solved by keeping an eye on you!),can get a bit confused at times but generally fine. Still eats her food fine-waits until her metacam is in it, and has her routine and all.
Since that last walk she has been very slow, and she spends a lot of time lying down which is what she is prone to doing anyway in the last while, her back legs will shake if she's super tired.
It's very difficult to know when to call it a day? She still loves her walks, and her food, and attention, but when is it unfair to keep them going?
It's one of those nightmare diseases isnt it :S
Will there be a day she can't get up? Is it fair to leave it that long?

 

[henryhorn]

I think they let you know when it's time, so put it out of your mind and keep enjoying her.
I think you have to tailor her excercise to what she feels happy with, it may be several ten minute wanders round the garden instead of one longer walk.
I don't think she sounds anywhere near the end yet, and feel happier hearing a GR is still active aged 15, mine's 4..

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think 15 is a very good age for a big dog.

Don't know what else to say really, you will know yourself when the time is right, they lose a certain sparkle that you will recognise if you have owned a dog for that length of time.

I personally wouldn't leave it until she couldn't get up at all.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

You just have to adjust her excercise for her. You will know when its time. In the meantime she still sounds really spritely for her age - is she on a supplement? there are some good ones around. My friends old border collie was like your girl and she got him a supplement from Global Herbs - it worked wonders on him in about 24 - 48 hours and he is still going strong 3 years on!

 

[Skhosu]

thanks hh-for all but the arthritis she still thinks she is a spritely pup..there is something about golden retrievers!
She has no real trouble getting up yet, is just a bit slow, it's just hard to judge!
She is on metacam, tbh I'm not sold on supplements, tried mussels on the lab and didn't notice the difference, metacam is the only thing that shows a reliable difference in either of them.
Glad to hear the consensus is I 'will know', I think while she still loves her walks and food she's probably happy enough?

 

[Shanny]

My lab has hip disp and arthritis has Cartrophen injections to help with her pain. They have really helped.

You start off with one injection once a week for 4 weeks and then every 6 months thereafter. Might be worth considering - speak to your vet.

 

[Thistle]

Have you tries a magnetic collar - makes a huge difference to my boxer. Also I treated him to a Shiatsu massage (well a friend did it for me) and he has been a different dog since (effects were immediate and so far have lasted a month) Glucosamine has been proven to be effective.

 

[Oneofthepack]

Indie is just exactly the same as this and I have given some thought to when to let her go. This morning I could have done it myself when she did her 'I'm an old lady so I can totter off into the distance and completely ignore you' routine!

I figure the right time will be when she stops enjoying the stuff she loves, like loping off to sniff bunny burrows or running into the garden to bark at magpies. I've adjusted our walks to cater for her lack of stamina and she seems quite happy.

I reckon you'll know for sure when yours has had enough and it doesn't sound like it yet

 

[Inchy]

Metacam is fab stuff!

My old GR lived till she was 16 and had bad arthritis from the age of 11. We couldn't take her on long walks - but as she loved going out we'd take her out in the car a nd just have 5min walks...she was happy with her 'little outings' right up to the end!