Question about my 13 year old lab.

[topwater blowup]

Are there any veterinarians here on the board?

Problem: Dog is getting weak in the hind legs. Does not show any sign of pain wants to play. Beginning to have poop accidents in the house.

Thoughts?

Exercise?

Treatments?

Other?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[bullets13]

No vet, but it just sounds like your lab is getting old.

[Rubberdown]

That's what I would say. It happens to them all eventually seems like. I can recommend NW Freeway Animal clinic with Dr Greg Upton. He is the best vet I have ever used by far.

[BushHawg]

Our lab was 13 1/2 yrs old and had the same weakness in her back legs. For us, it was a symptom of kidney failure. We spent a lot of money over Thanksgiving between our vet and an emergency hospital trying to help her, but ultimately had to let her go the following Monday. I hope this is not your case, but you need to get her to the vet and find out.

I miss her dearly, but feel like I prolonged her suffering unnecessarily and selfishly because I did not want to lose her.

[Stins]

Ive gone through this with all my labs and my old Chocolate is now 14 and going through it. Its a tough time to decide when she has lost enough of her quality of life before you put them down. Personally I am dreading it, this will be #3 within an 18 month period.

[MountainMan]

My lab had that happen too. One day he was just fine, the next day he was draggin his back legs. Our vet suggested a tumor on his spine could have done that or he had arthritis in his spine. Worst day of my life when we had to put him down. Hands down. Labs aren't just dogs, they are your best buddies.

[Pushbutton2]

Mines don't similar. She's about that same age.
Mostly when she first gets up.

We know she's got hip dysplasia.
We arrive it to that.

[jlp04c]

I'd try a light walk everyday, nothing too taxing.. But just get some blood moving. Children's Tylenol might help some with inflamation.

I'm not a vet, but the Best advice I've ever gotten from a Vet...

Make a list of 5 things he loves to currently do (eat, get a treat, go for a walk etc) and treat that like a baseline. Then take notice of when he's no longer doing 2-3 of those things, and you can be assured that his quality of life has gone down. For our dog it was 6 months, could be sooner, could be later, but it makes it (very) subtly easier knowing you have been having their interest in mind for awhile.

[billfromtx]

13 is pretty old for a Lab. Mine is going on 11 and slowing down fast! :-(

[Booger74]

Seems like 13 is the age. Like one said before was one of the worst days of my life. Labs are much more than just dogs and buddies. They are forever friends. Not a day goes by I don’t think of my Hunter dog.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wow]

My Max is 16. This will probably be his last winter. He eats fine but his health is going. My daughter and him were raised together. Will be a sad day when it happens.

[UncleCharlie]

I'd try a light walk everyday, nothing too taxing.. But just get some blood moving. Children's Tylenol might help some with inflamation.

I'm not a vet, but the Best advice I've ever gotten from a Vet...

Make a list of 5 things he loves to currently do (eat, get a treat, go for a walk etc) and treat that like a baseline. Then take notice of when he's no longer doing 2-3 of those things, and you can be assured that his quality of life has gone down. For our dog it was 6 months, could be sooner, could be later, but it makes it (very) subtly easier knowing you have been having their interest in mind for awhile.

We just lost our almost 15 year old with the same conditions. He really started slowing down at 13. It's a tough deal. I agree with the advice above as we were given similar from our vet. She told us that when he started having more bad days than good then it was time.

[Grumpy1911]

I'm surprised yall can get a lab to live to 13. Must be mostly pets, house dogs?

[Razorback01]

Our yellow was @13 with the same symptoms, gradually got worse, one evening he was playing, next morning he couldn't get up. Sorry to say, that was his last day, and sorry for the situation you are in and the information we have provided.

[Hawkpuppy 1]

I'd try a light walk everyday, nothing too taxing.. But just get some blood moving. Children's Tylenol might help some with inflamation

My wife is a vet. Tylenol is one of the worst things to ever give any dog. At that age it could be a lot of things causing the loss of function. Would suggest talking to your vet and getting blood work done. Could be a lot of different causes.