Arthritis in both shoulders.

[Stacia]

Has anyone had experience of this in their dogs? I have a 6 year old Lab who had been intermittently lame for the last year, I took him to he vet several times and they could not find a reason. I eventually asked for an x-ray, arthritis in both shoulders was revealed. There is also a slight suspicion of bone cancer, but I am trying not to think about that yet.

[Gundogs11]

I am really sorry for you. It's difficult not knowing what's wrong with them. As tough as it sounds though, if there is any suspicion of bone cancer, then you really want this investigating as soon as possible, if not sooner.

[Stacia]

Yes, it is being investigated, I noticed it on the x-ray as did the vet, but as Rourke had been intermittently lame for a year, he thought it best to wait for 6 weeks before we x-ray again. With arthritic shoulders I don't think we could contemplate amputation. Rourke is a tall Lab, slim and athletic.

[trekmoor]

Sorry to hear that, it is always heartbreaking to see a dog in pain.

Wullie

[Stacia]

I wondered if anyone else had had experience with a dog with arthritis in both shoulders? I have never heard of it, arthritis in hips, elbows, carpals etc but not shoulders.

[Judy]

I've had a Flatcoat with arthritis in her elbow / shoulder, just one side. Before she came to me at six months she had damaged what we thought was her right back leg as she "knitted" as she walked, swinging it in an arc instead of following straight through. As she got older she developed a slight limp on her front left leg I never did find out whether she had the injury at the front and the back was compensating or vice versa, she was fine in herself and it was never bad enough to swamp with steroids - the only "cure" back then.

[Judy]

Actually, thinking about it, the Setter I used to walk and have as a lodger from time to time had an arthritic shoulder, with her it was caused by damage to the joint from trying to get through sliding patio doors before they were opened wide enough.

[Stacia]

Interesting Judy, I cannot remember Rourke having any accident which could cause the arthritis in both shoulders. Encouraging that your Flatcoat coped with it without medication. Rourke was sick on Metacam, given omeprazole to help with that, sick on that! So it looks as if he cannot take painkillers.