My Golden Retriever's leg pain is worsening. What's next for arthritis?

Lameness which is worse after rest is common in many cases of arthritis. I would recommend a full vet check and possibly xrays to determine the exact nature of the pain and formulate ongoing treatment to reduce pain and maximise mobility

At his age and size, arthritis is almost certainly a factor. However he could also have a neurologic issue contributing to the walking changes you're seeing. I would recommend a vet visit for a general exam, to make sure more testing of Joe's neurologic system isn't needed, and then to get started on some antiinflammatory and pain medications to get him more comfortable moving around. It's also important to make sure Joe is an ideal weight (if he's not, decrease his food by 10% every month or two until he is) because that helps a lot with arthritis in big dogs as well. Good luck!

Yes, I agree with your vet, x-rays are a good idea. Glucosamine is fine to give but it is not likely to significantly impact her at this stage. It will not hurt anything but it probably won't help much. If she has arthritis in her hips or spine then she likely needs long term therapy with NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Rimadyl) and pain medication (like Tramadol or Gabapentin). The combination of these two types of medications works wonders for arthritis. She will need to be on them for the rest of her life. If there is no arthritis then this could be a neurological issue which would need another type of therapy (mainly steroids like Prednisone). The x-rays will help to narrow this down. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I'm sorry to hear that Axel has been having so much trouble with his hind legs lately. Stumbling and falling can occur as a result of worsening arthritis issues or neurologic deficits. Stumbling and difficulty standing up can be signs of pain, even though he is still eating and not crying out. It sounds as though it is worth taking a trip to the vet to evaluate Axel's neurologic status, as well as to discuss additional options for pain management. X-rays may be beneficial to track any changes in his arthritis, but you can also ask your vet if it is possible to try treating conservatively with medications for a period of time first. In addition, fish oil supplements can be helpful to decrease inflammation in joints for the long term. Until his vet appointment, you can use a large towel as a "sling" to help Axel to stand up, or this type of product: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-lifts/solvit-carelift-rear-dog-lifting-aid. I hope that all goes well for Axel!

Given your description, I would suspect intervertebral disc disease. It is similar to a slipped disc in humans, and can cause extreme pain and paralysis. These types of injuries are time sensitive, and prognosis goes down substantially after 48 hours. I am not trying to scare you, but you should bring him in right away to have him evaluated. Other possibilities include a torn ligament in his knee although the "dragging" does not fit. If he does have disc disease, paralysis and severe pain are good indications for surgery. If he has some function, and pain can be managed, then medical management with anti-inflammatories and pain medications is possible.

Hello, sorry to hear about Mollie. There are multiple causes of pain and lameness in the front legs. One of which includes inflammation of the biceps tendon, most often diagnosed with an ultrasound. Elbow dysplasia which can be composed by 3 different disease processes (elbow incongruity, fragmented medical coronoid process, and ununited anconeal process) which is diagnosed with a CT scan. And any injuries to the wrist or toes often seen with x-rays. Most of these can be treated first with medical management, strict rest, and occasionally a splint or bandage. However, of this is not working for Mollie, then she may need to see an orthopedic surgeon to determine if surgery is necessary. At that time, depending on what the findings of the orthopedic exam are, you may be faced with having to do additional diagnostics. Unfortunately, your insurance may or may not cover these. Speak with your veterinarian about adding more pain medications or considering a referral to an orthopedic surgeon if deemed appropriate. Hope this helps and best of luck.

In an old dog, my primary suspicion is that he is suffering from arthritis. It is quite common for old dogs to get varying degrees of arthritis. This can be helped with medication and some physical therapy. In order to get the best treatment you would have to take Jack to a veterinarian. The veterinarian will ensure that Jack doesn't have any other injuries or conditions causing him to limp. Considering he seems to have a significant decrease in activity, it's best to take him to the vet within the next day or two. Decreased activity can also indicate other, more serious problems like heart disease or anemia, so it's best to get him evaluated by a vet as soon as possible to ensure it's nothing serious. I hope that helps and Jack gets better soon.