lab with arthritis/ back hip problems

[westguy]

my 7 yr old yellow lab has got to the point where he can hunt 1 day strong and the next he has problems standing up and get going. He will hunt on the second day but will not jump in the truck . Today I decided to forgo the hunt to rest him up. I know I did the right but need a little reassurance. By the way he did retrieve 15 birds yesterday. The vet has him on rimyidal for pain but that don't seem to work anymore. Anybody else have this issue and what do you do.thanks for any replies.

[jmd1]

My 6 year old has same issues. However his is not from hunting but playing in the yard. He blew out both rear knees when he was much younger. We had them both fixed but over the summer with our rains coming in, have noticed he is hurting more. Our vet put him on tramidal (ultram) and vetprophin (doggy motrin). We don't use it everyday but do notice that when humidity is up, like today, either one of them helps him. I did a bunch of research on the rimyidal but the side effects seemed too high for me. I know when my knees are hurting his are too. I just slow him down on his running. Sorry to hear that your buddy is sore, just love him up a bit more. Good luck.

[westguy]

thanks JMD1, I know the rimyidal is not good on the kidneys and I only give it to him after the hunt. He is due for his checkup in two weeks and I will have the vet check more in to it. Its hard when your mind and heart tell you one thing and your body tells you different.