Vibes please- having a super rough day

[poiuytrewq]

Along with several other things that have gone wrong today my little lab, the absolute love of my life isn’t doing well.
move posted before about him. He’s “ disabled” I got him really to pts as a pup but what an amazing little attitude and “I can do this” happiness he had about him. Vets after lots of investigations said he was in no pain but hadn’t formed properly before birth. Gave him a life expectancy of 3 years.
Hes 7. He’s the happiest most loving crazy little dog I’ve ever known.
The past week or so I’ve had to give him a hand to get on the sofa, decided to keep an eye on that but he was ok otherwise and vets are emergency only.
This morning I found him lying on the cold tiles, he’s always bouncing at the door hearing me get up for his breakfast. He was struggling a bit to walk, he could walk but not far before, I’m not really sure, his back legs just going all wrong. He was still super wavy and as happy as ever. Wolfed his b’fast down. Managed to go out and toilet ok. But can’t get up or down the steps alone, can’t get on the sofa, can’t walk far.
The vets are operating a triage system and have agreed he needs seeing so we are on our way.
OH is really pissy with me about it because he’s a “he’s fine look he’s wagging” and very anti pts before theres absolutely no choice. This makes it very tough for me and in the past I let him almost bully me into keeping an animal going longer than I should. It’s such a hard thing anyway but when your family are against it it’s awful.
Im really hoping it won’t come to that but my head thinks it may be approaching.
Wishes for the little chap and people saying I’m doing the right thing would be appreciated:’(

 

[Cortez]

Oh I so hope they can do something for the little fella, but also with you if it has to be the other way.

 

[meleeka]

Sending you virtual hugs and goodvibes. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the worst, but it could be something fairly minor. Whatever you do will be the right thing as you know him best.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You are definitely doing the right thing but I'm certainly sending wishes for something fixable. Tbh, knowing that your OH would not want to do the responsible thing, I wouldn't discuss it with him, prior to the visit, except perhaps to say 'I'm worried vet won't be able to fix this', so that he is prepared. If the decision that you and vet come to is pts in the animal's best interests, tell OH you followed vet's advice and the deed is done.

 

[MereChristmas]

I don’t know the issues your dog has however our elderly lab. became wobbly on his hind legs and couldn’t get in or out of the car.
Vet diagnosed arthritis of some kind. Lab has Metacam daily and is a different dog.
Hoping for a happy outcome.

 

[splashgirl45]

good luck vibes for you and hope it is fixable but if not, remember he has has 7 wonderful years with you...

 

[MurphysMinder]

Sending loads of vibes that the vet can help. I think you are right to consider pts if his quality of life is deteriorating , he has done amazingly well , would be sad if he lost his zest for life .

 

[PapaverFollis]

I really hope they can fix him but if they can't you will make the right choice. You have the dog's welfare at heart. That's the important thing. I'm sorry you're going through this.

 

[janem_g]

Sending plenty of vibes but also if the outcome is not what you wish then have peace in the knowledge he has had all those good years of love. He sounds like an entirely amazing dog. Good luck x

 

[poiuytrewq]

So we are home.
we were there for almost an hour. The vet was fantastic as always with him.
He had improved since this morning, but still not normal (his normal)
They tested his reflexes, all perfect all over his body. Apparently all his muscles and legs feel fine. He said as a unit each leg is perfect (minus the non existent shoulder joints)
They have the ability to move perfectly well and he’s 100% sure it’s neurological. Even his normal way of walking he said is neurologically very wrong.
He also said categorically he is showing no signs of pain, I really stressed he must never ever be in pain. He also said he was the happiest dog he’d seen in a long time (is that good from a vet ?‍)
A CT would be interesting but the chances of finding something fixable would be virtually nil, steroids would be an option generally but he’s already on a low dose to help a skin flare up.
So as he’s improved, is still smiling we will just sit back and watch for a bit. I have to call in tomorrow and update.
He made huge friends with the vet, receptionists and basically thought he was at a party ?‍
Thank you for the support, OH still seems to think it’s all a load of rubbish but...

 

[janem_g]

Good news. Hey lots of us aren't what you might call normal, me included. I have a very funny way of going but does it matter. A happy, smiling dog in no pain is a real result.

 

[MereChristmas]

Great news

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks, I mean it’s not ideal, we don’t know why it happened. A lot of things about him that I put down to being a bit stiff or other reasons the vet said isnt at all, they are his brain not informing his legs what to do.
I suppose happiness and being pain free is priority, ideally he will need to get better still because the steps are to the garden, not the end of the world though as I can give him a hand.
He makes me proud the way he just wins everyone over ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

 

[CorvusCorax]

Keep a soft harness on him so you can lift him if he splats/to help on stairs and get a load of cheap running mats for your tiles so he can get purchase.

 

[janem_g]

View attachment 64248

Gorgeous

 

[skinnydipper]

Help 'em up harness (never used one but seen them recommended) or something like the Truelove harness which has a handle.

Ramp for the steps.

 

[Sandstone1]

Help um up harness would help. They are pretty expensive but very helpful. He looks a very happy chap!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have tried a harness in the past, thinking if I could support a bit of the front weight when he got tired we could walk further he just kind of gave up trying himself and face planted the floor, fine once I took it off.
Ive not tried the one mentioned above though so will def look at that now!

 

[Clodagh]

He has the most beautiful face.

 

[meleeka]

He’s adorable ?. At least you will sleep better tonight and that’s worth the vet bill alone.

 

[poiuytrewq]

He has the most beautiful face.

Well I think so but thank you!

He’s currently upside down snoring like a pig

 

[poiuytrewq]

He’s adorable ?. At least you will sleep better tonight and that’s worth the vet bill alone.

Absolutely i will yes, I’ll also be friendlier to everyone at work in the morning... * sorry guys ?
The bill was £39 ? I went armed with a few cards just incase

 

[scats]

What a gorgeous boy! Glad the vet visit went ok xx

 

[Equi]

Awww look at his little happy face. Hopefully he feels better tomorrow.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Glad to read that it ended well today.

But I object about your OH's belief that wagging tail = they're truly fine. I've had a bitch who turned out to be deadly ill, and she still wagged her tail all the way to the end. She simply had a positive, and happy attitude towards life. That's why one needs to look at their overall quality of life, and can't just say 'look they still like it when I scratch behind their ear, it can't be that bad'.

Difficult enough situation to be in with an ill pet, without the added difficulty of having an OH who wants to brush away the problems you describe under the nearest carpet.
Hope that your Lab continues to improve from whatever it is that has made his problems worse.

{{{Hugs}}}

 

[misst]

What a lovely chap!! You know your dog and you know when something is wrong. I hope he gets better but if he doesn't you will will know when the time is right for him. I'm sorry for you as he looks like such a huge personality and when they are a bit "special" it makes it harder. Hugs to both of you.xx

 

[splashgirl45]

good news, he looks adorable

 

[ycbm]

View attachment 64248

He's got the daftest, loveliest smile ever, hasn't he? I'm glad he's OK.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Today he was a bit worse again this morning. He was going backwards from his breakfast instead of towards it. I put him and his bowl on a blanket so he could get some grip and he ate happily.
By lunch he was a bit better again. I’ve just hurt him trying to help him up the steps
He’s fine though, turned round and came back down to accept my apologies!
The vet wants to check in again on Monday. He said hopefully by then he will have improved more.

In truth, I’m just a little uneasy. I’m thinking I may call the vets tomorrow and ask if for my sake more than his if they might give him a shot of a doggy alternative to bute just to put my mind at rest. If there’s no change then I’ll be happier over the weekend.
Is that a reasonable request?
My vets not 24 hr so weekends with ill pets make me nervous!