I have an 11-year-old English Labrador who has been diagnosed with seizures, hip dysplasia, and lumbar spondylosis.
For the last 3 months, he has been unable to walk properly, and his hind limbs are not supportive at all. He struggles to stand and move by himself.
Our vet says the seizure medication may be causing weakness/sedation and contributing to his inability to walk. However, the vet also mentioned that to properly treat/manage the hip dysplasia and lumbar spondylosis, we may need to stop or reduce the seizure medication. The problem is that when we previously reduced/stopped the seizure medication, the seizures came back.
Right now we feel stuck between controlling the seizures and helping his mobility/pain issues.
Has anyone dealt with a senior dog having both neurological issues (seizures) and severe orthopedic/spinal problems at the same time?
- Were you able to balance seizure control and mobility?
- Did changing seizure medications help?
- Did physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, pain management, or supplements improve quality of life?
- At what point did you feel surgery, rehab, or supportive care was the best option?
- How did you judge your dog’s quality of life in this situation?
Any advice, similar experiences, or suggestions would really help us. Thank you.