Severe arthritis and leaking urine.

Hi we have a 13 year old dog with long term hip dysplasia. he has cartrophen once a month and is on daily metcam for analgesia and weekly hydrotherapy sessions.

3 weeks ago we noticed an itch rash on his ears and his hair was falling out. He was diagnosed with mites (scabies) ? picked up from the foxes in our area.

He was treated by a spot on treatment (by the vet) "bayer adcocate" (once a month for three months)- he had his first treatment 3 weeks ago. we have also started this week giving him some neem dog chews as we have been told these would be good form him. (he has about 3-4 in total)

His mobility has been getting progressivly worse - but he is a spritly thing (a mind of a 5 year old) he has started to loose some sensations - having little accidents around the house (bowel movements). his mobility in his legs is worse again as we have been unable to take him swimming.

This week however he has also started passing urine without any notice (even when he is lying down)this has started to get worse. He was a bit quite the day before yesturday but eating and drinking and yesturday he was back to normal.

last night he went to sleep on the sofa and passed urine (didnt even get up)he was still asleep in it when we found him. he has been very quiet refused food and a walk - I have managed to get him to drink but only this evening. he appears to have picked up a little but has once again passed urine without any notice. I noticed it is very very yellow and smells strong.

He has also swollowed a rubber band this week - although he has swallowed much worse with no ill effects.

? if this is a side effect of some sorts or heading towards end of life or a complicatin of the rubber band any advice apprechiated.

Hi we have also just managed to get him out side but he wouldnt go past the drive - he passed a small bowel motion that was a bit hard for him.

is it best not to keep encouraging him to eat? and just try and increase his water.

if the blood tests tell us that his functions are deteriorating is there anything that can be done?

thankyou- he has had lots of lumps and bumps appear over his body over the last year- are vet and ourselves came to the conclusion that at his age it probably was not worth putting him through the risk of an op if they were anything nasty. - as he has always been such a lively dog and has never usually let his ailments get him down.

I think its just so sad to see him disinterested in doing anything- especially not walking or playing.

we will take him up with us t bed tonight give him lots of tlc and take him to the vets first thing in the morning.

Thankyou for your help.

thankyou- he has had lots of lumps and bumps appear over his body over the last year- are vet and ourselves came to the conclusion that at his age it probably was not worth putting him through the risk of an op if they were anything nasty. - as he has always been such a lively dog and has never usually let his ailments get him down.

I think its just so sad to see him disinterested in doing anything- especially not walking or playing.

we will take him up with us t bed tonight give him lots of tlc and take him to the vets first thing in the morning.

Thankyou for your help.

Hi sorry for the late update.

He was actually fine the next day running around and playing! pink gums, eating and drinkng etc going outside to wee so we didnt take him to the vet - however over the last few days he has slowed down hill again and developed a slight cough again - not himself and his gums became very pale

we had bloods done at the vets yesturday and they have come back that he is mod to severly anemic it appears that his cells are not regenerating. his liver and kidneys were fine no change from 2 years ago when he had them done.

Initial thoughs were that it might be heart failure but they are leaning more toward a tumour or bone marrow problem.

They are looking more closley at his blood picture today and have prescribed antibiotics as his white count is up a little (no temp)

He is still up and down - this morning coughing a lot and his breathing was a little deep (recessing slightly) he is eating and drinking a little and going out to urinate. He is curled up asleep and his breathing has settled again and not coughed for a few hrs.
Difficult to know what to do for the best at 13+ he has had a good innings we wouldnt want to put him through anything invasive that means he isnt with us or stressed - but at the sametime want to do everything we can to make him comfortable.

any advice would be apprechiated.

some good news his coombs test came back negative - so they are now considering a tumor although couldnt rule out drug related reaction.


could I please ask your opinion on giving advocate to collie breads - as this was given for his mange but I have since read lots of litrature on how it should not be given to colie dogs.

They have said that there is a chance that his anemia is drug reaction related?????? but that the advocate is safe to give

we are taking him to another vet tomorrow for a second opnion as they were a bit defensive when we mentioned we had done some research on advocate.

Just dropping a line to let you know are darling little man lost his fight for life on 26/2/11

thankyou so much for your advice over the last few weeks. We found it very helpful in deciding what to do for the best for him x x x