Hello, i have a 14yr old springer/bc x. A couple days ago I noticed him limping, I thought it was his paw b/c there is kinda a cut on it, i think, hard to see, so i cleaned it up and put aloe on and a bootie, by evening he was walking better so I assumed it was just his foot. The next day he could barely get up, he gets up on his front and cant pull up his back end, he does eventually and will walk to go out to pee. By evening he gets a bit better but still stiff. He cant get his back end up on the couch or bed as easily, he can b/c i come home and hes on them, but if Im there he looks to me to help him.

He has a vet app wed morn. He was just in at the vet last month and got a full workup, said all was really good for an old man but that his liver enzymes were high or something and we could do a biopsy, I am not comfortable putting him under though at his age. I struggled a lot to reach that decision b/c I want to find out whats wrong and fix him but is it worth the risk...

Im wondering what could be causing his sudden condition, if it was arthritis, wouldnt it come gradually? His back leg shakes for no reason sometimes. He pees more than he used to, outside. He drops hard terds in the house sometimes, not on purpose, they just come out and we find them, sometimes in our bed..hahah...he pants a lot too. This is all the information I can think of, dont know if its helpful or not. I am extremely worried sick about him, he is my first and most special dog, I know your not supposed to love one dog over another, but i've had him since I was 10 and he has bin there through everything.

I want to know what to expect, any ideas as to whats going on? Do you think its worth the risk to put him under and find out whats up with his liver? Im just at a loss and wanted to hear from you all thanks!!

I just remembered that a few months ago he got his back leg caught in a cable/leash while my other dog was attached, i told my other dog to stay so I could get him out, he limped for a day and then was fine. Do you think this could have anything to do with it??

I would get him to that vet ASAP. Are there any emergency vets in your area?

Don't know if it could be a stroke or something? I'd imagine there are LOTS of causes of sudden paralysis. Spinal issues, nerve issues, neurological issues, even something as off the wall as Lyme's Disease. But given your dog's age, I would get the ball rolling immediately.

I would encourage you to seek vet help immediately if your dog has suddenly had such a decline in health.

Hi Cat, very sorry that your dog is not feeling well. I have no idea what might be wrong but I could think of a several questions to ask your vet when you see him/her:

- What could it possibly be. Please list everything, not just the most probable conditions.
- What do you think it is and why? Are there any specific signs that would exclude other possible conditions? Are there any specific signs that would narrow it down?
- Biopsy (or any other tests) - why? What do you expect to find out/exclude? What treatment plan would look like if the tests confirm the diagnosis?
- What are the risks involved with the proposed tests/treatments?
- If the tests come back negative/inconclusive what your next step would be?
- What exactly should I expect at this point and what look out for?
- What is the craziest and the most unlikely thing that you just thought of, considered and disregarded completely? Why?

We could only do our best and hope, right?

eta: see the vet ASAP - absolutely!

 Quote: Ana Kozlowsky

We could only do our best and hope, right?

This is very important, especially with our older dogs. I definitely agree that you should seek help immediately if you can. I know how hard it is to see our long time friends suffer, but know that there are many good people here on this board to help you through it.

Please keep us updated. Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.

Hello, thanks for all your support, Buddy went to the vet today. They wanted to sedate him for x rays which I wasnt comfortable with and they said they couldnt get a clear shot, so they were nice enough to allow me to hold him and we managed to get a shot, he was moaning a bit in pain but bever tried to bite or growl or anything.

Results is he has hip dysplsia in his right hip. They told me to put him on metacam, Which I just said I can get it from my work b/c Im not sure I want to put him on that especially with his bad liver already. Also catrophen shots.

Anyone have any experience/advice on giving metacam or cartrophen shots?

 Quote: Cat Richter

Hello, thanks for all your support, Buddy went to the vet today. They wanted to sedate him for x rays which I wasnt comfortable with and they said they couldnt get a clear shot, so they were nice enough to allow me to hold him and we managed to get a shot, he was moaning a bit in pain but bever tried to bite or growl or anything.

Results is he has hip dysplsia in his right hip. They told me to put him on metacam, Which I just said I can get it from my work b/c Im not sure I want to put him on that especially with his bad liver already. Also catrophen shots.

Anyone have any experience/advice on giving metacam or cartrophen shots?

Don't mix up cartrophren with carprofen. Carpofen is sold as Rimadyl.

We don't have cartrophen here in the US, and that's too bad.

As for the metacam, that is one of my two preferred NSAIDs (the other being deramaxx). HOWEVER, all NSAIDs have the potential for serious side effects. You mentioned the liver, and that is definitely one of the potential problems. No dog should start an NSAID protocol without doing bloodwork for baseline liver and kidney values (IMO).

What is the existing liver problem?

Im pretty sure its cartrophen, i live in Canada, we give it as a needle to a couple dogs where I work. His liver enzymes were too high, said we could do a biopsy but that requires sedation which I didnt want to do. He just had bloodwork done last month and all was good except his liver. His liver was mentioned as being an issue at a past vet a few years ago too, a holoistic one. Hes on milk thistle.

Thanks for replying

The vet who recommended NSAIDs knew about the elevated liver enzymes?

PS
I have read quite a bit about cartrophen injections -- well, at least enough to wish we had it here in the US.