So sorry to hear about Flame, it is sad when they grow old, Hope the vet can suggest something.

Elaine xx

Sorry to hear this. Flame is such a beauty.
I hope you find something to help. Its hard to accept they age faster than we do Greenlipped mussel helped Sam a lot when he was at that stage and I knew Goldie who improved with a magnetic collar.

I'm sorry to hear this.

Good luck with the meds.
Thinking of you
xxxx

I'm so sorry to hear this, it is heartbreaking when they start to age like this. I hope you and the vets can find something to make her more comfortable.

Thanks for your kind thoughts Jackbox.

She is only 7 years old Dani, that is the most heartbreaking thing of all. Too young to be so old iyswim I have tried hydrotherapy and am going to give it another go.

Thanks Mish. I can't even begin to think what might happen if the decline continues at the rate it is doing I am trying to stay positive, but it is heartbreaking to see her slowing down so much.

She wore my old dog's magnetic collar for a few months but it made no difference unfortunately

Thanks Heather. I know that most of it is just getting older, but I feel a bit robbed that poor Flame is *old* at just 7 years.

Thanks YS. I am hoping there will be something that can help, although I know she will never be youthful again.

Thanks Lionhound. It is the hardest part of sharing our lives with dogs.

That is a great idea Phil. I think I will styart taking Flame out on her own for a potter and a swim in the reservoir. She would definitely enjoy that.
I agree that dogs do seem to age quicker, or is it just that as we get older, time passes so much faster?

Thanks Muttz. The vet is sensible and experienced, and so I am sure he will be able to give me something to try and help.

Thanks Vicki. I do hope so.

Thanks Fudgeley. I am sure there must be other things we haven't tried yet.

Thanks MissE. It is very sad to watch her struggling, when only 12 months ago she was still bounding around.

Thanks Shona. It is so hard. The fact she is only 7 years old depresses me. She should have years left in her yet At what age did you lose your shep?

Thanks Lucky.

Thank you Trixy.

Thanks Lynn.

Thanks Ailsa. I feel so guilty when I leave her to take the others out She clearly still wants to come and either stands at the gate watching us go, or paws at the back door - even though I leave her some tasty treats to compensate. It is horrible.
I am not sure I could not exercise her at all, but may try just taking her a short distance from home on her own before walking the others.


Thanks Lou.

Thanks Fiona. I have been taking her (and the others) down to the reservoir in a morning for a run/swim as it is too hot to go any distance. She loves paddling around and lying in the water, but won't swim unfortunately.
I think the hydrotherapy did help her, and am going to book her in for some more sessions. We had lapsed going because of lambing time and it was too difficult to get away.

Thanks Elaine. I think the fact she is still so young (relatively) that is getting to me the most.

Thanks Janice. The magnetic collar never seemed to make any difference unfortunately. I guess what works for one, won't necessary work for another.

Thanks Tassle. It is nice to get my worries off my chest and talk to people who completely understand.

Thanks Maria. Fingers crossed eh.

Kirsty I am so sorry to read about the beautiful Flame, so young too.
I really hope the vet can come up with something to make her more comfortable.

I know exactly how you feel Kirsty. I didn't want to leave Biff at all. I have to say though it has done him the world of good...but of course he had other issues going on, not just the pain of walking. He was getting exceptionally stressed which was aggravating the laryngeal paralysis...which made him leap about, which made him more sore...so he is now a chilled out house dog.
It was also really hard when we had to make the decision not to free run him (and when it happened with Mo) it was a heartbreaking decision...but ultimately the best one for them.

The best advice I can offer is to listen to Flame...it may be she isn't ready to give up on walks yet but it does sound like she can't do the walks she used to with the others. We ended up doing 4 10 minute walks a day at one point...which worked really well for ages. Our vets told us little and often is the best thing for them when they are sore. Taking them too far they said was cruel as they would end up hurting more.

I really do feel for you as I have been there and it's horrid. Huge hugs Kirsty. xxxxx