Hi All,

Well it has been along time since I have been on the site! Oscar & Sam's Dad's Brian & Paul have been busy renovating our Home Langi Dorn and have almost finished. Our dogs Sam (Australian Red Cattle Dog) & Oscar (Welsh Pembroke Corgi) have taken to rural life very well. We haven't had anymore issue's with Brown or Red Belly Black Snakes though now we are heading into spring & summer we have to be on our guard!.

Now the reason for my post Oscar my Loyal companion and Loving Corgi had his annual check I have known for a while he has issues and my new vet brought them to my attention last Friday! Oscar has arthritis in his rear legs and spine!. he also has muscle wastage in his rear right leg and has arthritis in both rear legs and his spine the vet has given me options and this is where I need help from anybody on here with mature aged Corgi's

The vet said that I could put him on tablets for the rest of his life to ease the pain! there are injections 1 every week for a month then a follow up and this may need to be an ongoing issue. laser treatment. Now my Partner Paul in an RN and he said that the tablet option has to go thru the liver & Kidney's before getting to the area now how toxic is this and blood tests need to be done!. Injections how effective are these?. and I thought they get right to the spot and how harmful are they to Oscar?. Can anyone shed a light on any of these treatments for me I'm trying to make an informed decision here and want to do what's right for Oscar and make his remaining years with us as painless and comfortable as possible!. The vet also suggested hydrotherapy for Oscar but I know when we take the boys to the beach Sam is in the water like Flynn Oscar just stands there looking! I think putting him in water would scare him and the last thing I want is his big heart to give out!. He has his baths but the look he gives me each time tells me he is not a big fan!!!.

Oscar also has cloudiness over his eyes the vet mentioned cataracts and yes they can be removed but I worry that putting Oscar under for an operation could be fateful?. We are changing his bed to a tempura dog bed (memory foam) so he does not have to jump up and off his trampoline bed and that the orthopaedic dog bed will be better for him. We have also taken steps to stop Oscar going up and down stairs I carry him which he hates He has this look on his face as if to say Dad I can do this knowing full well it hurts him!.

I have also come to the decision today if and when the time comes and if Oscar does not go to dog heaven in his sleep that I will not under any circumstances take him to a vet clinic that is sterile and cold and Oscar's last thoughts are of fear I couldn't live with myself knowing I did this to my loyal dog!. I have told Paul if and when that time comes the vet is to come to the home I want Oscar in his environment where he has been happy and he has Sam and his Dad's there with him and I will get my old vet Fiona to come as she has known Oscar from when he was 3 months old.

You may think I sound morbid and some people may say Oscar is only a dog but hey he's my Dog and he deserves the best in life I'm hoping he will go on for years but I also have to be realistic I will lose him one day not just now!.

Sorry to go on but I think you would all agree we would all do the same for our animals. I will opt for cremation as if we sold the property and Oscar was buried on the property I can't take him with me and at least with cremation he's with me.

If anybody could give me there thoughts on any of the treatment options I would be most grateful.

I hope this post finds you and your family members human or animal all happy and healthy?.

Kind regards

Brian  Oscars Dad