There are two general categories of problems that afflict older larger dogs like Sadie. One is obviously degenerative joint disease (arthritis). The symptoms of this are pain, stiffness, difficulty jumping, getting up etc. This condition often responds to pain meds and sometimes to joint nutroceuticals (like glucosamine, fatty acids, MSM etc.). Most of these dogs had some degree of pain and arthritis for years. Cold weather is really tough for these dogs.

But even more commonly seen is a progressive neurologic condition called myelopathy where the spinal nerves function more poorly. These dogs are not necessarily in any pain, but they are weak and wobbly in the rear legs, often swaying and sometimes dragging the back feet a bit (or a lot). Many of these dogs have no history at all of pain or radiographic indication of arthritis. These dogs rarely respond too well to nutraceuticals and only so-so to arthritis medications. We are more at a loss to help these older patients, though sometimes steroids give them a few months to a year before they simply can't walk any more, or are unable to get up. Cold weather does not seem to make much difference with this condition, but it sure doesn't help.

And lots of older dogs have both problems. So if your arthritis medications seemed to work at first, but aren't any longer, your pet may have myelopathy, too. Best to get a vet to check her over.

Have posted on other forums but am new here. Hope you don't mind if I join in.

I had a German Shepherd who had hip problems. At times he too would have trouble walking outside or getting back in so I kept a large beach towel handy. I would put the towel under his belly, hold the ends together above him and help him walk out, let him do his business and then replace the towel and help him back in. The towel was wide enough that it didn't cut into him belly. Maybe this would help when Sadie can't get up. I also found that a bean bag chair was a wonderful bed for dogs with arthritis. Not only is it comfortable but when my Thor got to the point that he would occasionally wet himself, the beanbag cover was such that it let the urine flow thru to the paper below and kept the wetness away from him until I saw it and cleaned it up. (Need to have a two beanbags ) The "beans" were in a cloth bag container and I would hose them with soapy water and hang it outside to dry and just throw the main cover into the washer. I finally had to have my Thor Man euthanized after he had a stroke. He was 14 years old. It's been over 12 years and I still miss him.

Good luck with your Sadi. It's so hard to see your "babies" growing old. I have a 14 year old Australian Shepherd/Chow mix, an 11 year old Lab/Chow mix and two 9 year old German Shepherds. I can see the age making changes in even the 9 year olds but we just adjust our ways of doing things and continue on loving and enjoying each other.

Thanks so much for the input!I have another post going about Sadie, as we learned that she contracted Lyme disease (on top of having arthritis), which may account for the sudden lameness. However, I am getting antsy as we are at the 72 hour mark of antibiotics and we are not seeing any improvement at all. It is indeed very hard to see them get old as far as some of the changes. I am still hopeful that she is going to recover from this...not sure at this point if she is going to bounce back or not. I appreciate the towel idea..that may come in handy, thanks.

ladybugfruit, my 15 year old border collie got anaplasmosis from a tick bite. She was horribly sick for 48 hours but the doxycycline and IV fluids turned her around pretty quickly. Ask your vet if your dog is on the right antibiotic. I've since read that the antibiotic should be given for 6-9 weeks. My vet only kept her on it for 2 weeks but the BC seems to be fine 3 months later.

I'm trying two OTC treatments for her arthritis because the NSAIDS the vets want to use are so hard on dogs and eventually fatal. We are using Duralactin and Dasuquin. So far I'm fairly pleased with the results. You can visit amazon.com or probably Drs. Foster and Smith and read about these products.

thanks for the encouragement bean counter! I am so glad to hear your border collie had a good turn around. We are still holding out. Got her bloodwork today and her ALT was over 1000(norm 100)and ALP was in the 900's. They kept her all day on IV fluids and will go back tomorrow for more. They also did an xray that revealed she has a osteomyelitis in her right hip (the one that went lame). The vet is going to try and get us in with an internist tomorrow for an ultrasound for a better look. The positive was that the xrays showed no obvious enlargements or abnormalities on the liver or kidneys but we are far from out of the woods yet.
Thanks for the arthritis suggestions too. I am not a big fan of the NSAIDS either...Sadie has had ongoing liver issues for a few years now that we have monitored, so nsaids scare us. She is on some neutroceuticals that have done well for her in the past as well as fish oi and pain meds. I spent most of today balling my eyes out at the thought of having to let go of her yet. We are hopeful she can pull through and this isn't cancer. The internist that talked to the vet today seems to think there is more than one issue going on. I only hope we can get her through this.

I too have a 14 yr old with degenerative joint disease , She is Sheltie/German pointer mix. 85 lbs. She has been on pain meds and other arthritis medications. The vet that was caring for her has had her on these meds for over 5 yrs now. I'm very concerned about my girl ,as just a few days ago she won't eat, she has been leaking urine on floors which is not like her at all .She NEVER did anything in the house. I'm very concerned as the vet was here 10 days ago ,Did not physically examine her and now she won't eat at all. She seems to be giving up .I called the vet. His assistant hung up on me and he said he examined her with his eyes. If I have an emergency .Take her to hospital. I can not lift her. Trixie is 85 lbs. I'm a woman of 63 yrs old and can not lift her into car. She vomited this morning .I'm so worried.. I called another vet .They can't make house call until Tuesday. I hope she will make it until then. If anyone knows what else I can do ...please respond. BTW .All Pet lovers . Don't use VET-ON-THE-GO. Dr. Dubowey does not care about Trixie after being her doctor for 10 years. His practice is failing as he lets his assistant run the show now a days...

I can only suggest you call other vets and ask if they can help or if they have suggestions who you can call. I'd also call the Animal ER and see if they have can help. Do you have any friends or neighborhood teens that could help load her in the car?

I'm sorry you're going thru this and hope you've found an answer by now. Trixie is suffering and definitely needs some medical attention......

Paula, how's Trixie doing? I would definitely forget about using that vet again. It sounds like maybe he is frustrated because he can't give you answers, so they are taking it out on you. I wish I had answers for you, but all I can offer is some ideas to maybe give her a little bit of relief. Boswellia is a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever that is used for arthritis/joint issues in both humans and animals. I have used it myself for about 6 years now for headaches and menstrual cramps replacing ibuprofen (haven't touched aspirin or ibu since discovering it). Works every time. I recommended it to a family member who has pain in his hands from being a stylist (cutting hair for 20+ years) and it worked for him. It might be worth a shot to give her some pain relief. But, as with everything, give a very low dose (maybe half a capsule first to make sure there are no reactions) I have safely given it to my cat and 5 pound chihuahua. Also, some enzymes could help with the throwing up as well as joint issues. Try fish oil capsules too. I'm not sure how far along Trixies problem is, but these could maybe give her some relief. Sending you & Trixie positive energy!