Bedazzled Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hi all, I am at my wits end as to what to do with my wonderful Rottie Kane. 2 years ago, I took him to the chiro and he told me that the dogs back end is F***** ( how charming! ) and that the kindest thing for me to do would be give him THE NEEDLE! I dont know how I saw the road on the way home that day through my tears ;) I was devastated, I vowed that I was not going to do that without exhausting all other avenues first! First step was xrays, and although nothing drastic showed up, he certainly does not have perfect hips. He has been on Glucosamine and fish oil, and has had a few sessions of accupuncture also. Lately, he has been getting worse, he has had a series of Cartrophen (sp?) injections, with Rimadyl tablets to ease the pain. These things no longer seem to be working, I can see my boy getting worse by the day, and it is is breaking my heart to see him like this He never yelps or groans due to the pain, but I can see it in the way he moves, his back legs are very mechanical like these days, and he finds it very hard to get up when he is lying down. His tail ( what there is of it ;) ) seems to be down most of the time now, and he pants ALOT! This dog has been nothing short of wonderful while we have had him, his personality is extremely entertaining, and while he is still capable of making us laugh with his antics, I don't doubt that he is not in any pain. I feel so bad because he is only 4 years old, if he were a senior, I think the decision would be a little easier. I do not want to come across as selfish, this has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make regarding one of my dogs, I also do not want to see my boy in pain for the rest of his days either I know that I have given him the best life here that I possibly could Any advice/ help, I am just so upset here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) It is always hard to make desicions like this, more so when you are dealing with such a young dog. On friday I helped a friend say goodbye to a 2 yo dog, it is an awful thing, but when you consider how vibrant and active a dog should be at that age it seems the right thing to do. Personally I believe that if you are unable to give the dog relief from the pain, the the kindest thing is to say goodbye. You know your own dog, if he is suffering now, then you in your heart will know that, and you will make the right desicion. It doesn't make the loss any easier, and it doesn't take away your pain, sometimes loving something and being the one who has to make desicions for them just sucks. Edited January 7, 2007 by Nadia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) I think sometimes it would take more than a few sessions of acupuncture. I have a dog with HD who has a session once a month but when we first started she was going weekly.And some weeks were good and then she would go backwards. I have also found that trigger point therapy is very useful. She also has Traumeel which is a homeopathic anti-inflammatory amd liquid glucosamine. This all started with a sore shoulder and thousands of dollars later it was discovered it was tight trigger points. Could this be referred pain in his back end from somewhere else?My girl never groaned or yelped either If you live in Sydney, I can give you the name of the vet that I use. Good luck...it's heartbreaking to see the look of pain in their eyes.You don't come across as selfish. You are trying to do the best for your dog. Edited January 7, 2007 by CavsRcute Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Get a lot of second opinions before you make any decision - it may be something that can be helped but is not being treated correctly. I wish you luck with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Maybe a doggy chiropractor might help.... where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pesh Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 You poor thing, I really feel for you, but would go for the second opinion if you haven't already. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but will add this. I had a lovely lovely bitch going on 17 or so years ago. She wouldn't have hurt a fly and intelligence plus. I truely loved this gal, and still miss her today. She started having trouble up and down our back 3 steps and hated her tail/spine area being touch from the age of 18months-2years or so and it worsened within a short time. We went through with the medication, until she got to the point of nothing worked. We made the hard decission, and glad we did. She gave us so so much, at least we could give her relief even though it was a hard one. I love the memories I have about that gal, and glad we let her go with the dignity she deserved. You have to make the decission and know when enough is enough, and not just for yourself. Take care............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 6, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedazzled Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 Thank you for the replies, they are much appreciated The Chiro I took him to, was a dog Chiro, he was the one who told me to "give him the needle!" I have had this boy to numerous vets, they all confirm that he has HD, although not severe. This dog walks like he is that stiff in the back end, it almost looks mechanical cavNrott, where do you take your dog to? This wouldn't be Sophie you are talking about here would it? Forgive me if I am mistaken Pesh, he also doesn't like his back end being groomed/ touched, he moves away at every opportunity! I am going to book him in for weekly sessions of accupuncture to see how he goes, he did seem to do far better with this than any of the pain killers he has received at the vet. I will exhaust every possibility before I make that heart wrenching decision of sending him to the bridge, thank you all for sharing your experiences and kind words Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Bedazzled ask your vet for sylvet capsules they are really expensive but give them a go, massage seems to work as well as does heat packs. best of luck it is awful having to make a desicision but when all other avenues are exhausted, you really have no choice. Hugs for you and your boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 6, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 The specialist I saw said my dog had elbow dysplasia but it turned out to be tight trigger points in her shoulder. Just as well I didn't like him and went to another specialist. The first one wanted to schedule surgery for the next day Traumeel is good for HD and quite economical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 6, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) cavNrott, I think it was the fact that I didn't like him that helped me to make the decision to go elsewhere, even though they are only 2 minutes from where I live. I don't think he liked women, as he wouldn't answer my questions and would only talk to a male friend I had with me. He didn't even exam my dog, just went on what my general vet had said and had a quick look at the x-rays, which didn't show any problem with the elbow That's why we go natural when possible Edited January 7, 2007 by CavsRcute Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 6, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedazzled Posted January 13, 2007 Author Share Posted January 13, 2007 Anne, it's Joanne with Behla and Kane, we also went to Mike's training :D I am taking Kane back for some weekly accupuncture sessions, I will see how he goes with this, I am also interested in hearing about Sophies treatment. That is shocking what the poor girl had to go through thanks to that vet, not to mention the vet bill I am extremely lucky that my vet allows me to pay my account off, not many around here that will allow that ! Joanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 6, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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