Lola, the Vet and Arthritis

Lola had a vet appointment yesterday.  I am able to drop her off in the morning and then pick her up in the evening.  It is great because nothing is rushed, and she loves all the attention she gets.  They did all their wellness exams and she got a rabies vaccine and a heartworm shot. The heart worm shot lasts for 6 months.  And she got a clean bill of health with all that.  


I also mentioned to the vet that she limps on her left back leg at times.  It is usually after she has had a hard round of playing.  So I asked that they look at it.  They did a full exam with range of motion on both of her back legs and she looked good.  They said the only way to know what is really going on is x-rays.  So, I told them to go ahead.   


I met with the vet when I picked Lola up to go over the x-rays.  The vet says that she has arthritis in both knees.  Right now the back left leg is worse.  But she will be using the right leg more because of that, so then the right leg will probably get worse, and it will continue down alternating between which is worse.  They gave me pain pills to give Lola.  But she said the only real option is surgery and gave me a referral to a surgeon. And she will probably need it on both knees.


I am apprehensive about Lola have surgery.  I am just not convinced it is the only solution and don't know if that is the right solution.  I just wonder how much it will really fix, and will it end up being harder on her to have 2 surgeries with in one or two years.  I think I will probably look for another vet to get at least one more opinion.  The vet we currently go to is a national vet chain in a pet store.  (I am not naming them because I don't want to call them out for any reason.)  They have been absolutely great with Lola and adore her but I think they are more geared towards general care.  And not towards the specialty that Lola may need at this point.  


So here is my call out to the blogging world.  I obviously want Lola to be comfortable, and do not want her in pain.  And I would like to avoid surgery if possible.   Like I said the vet has prescribed some pain pills, and said I could give her 500 mg of gluclosomine twice a day.  I have already ordered some and it should be here in a few days.  I have found some stuff online that talks about changing her diet and I willing to do that once I think I have found a good plan.  The vet said that she is at a good weight and she does not want her losing any significant amount of weight.  


Has anybody out there had any experience with their dogs having arthritis in the back knees or anywhere?  And have you found anything that has worked great for them?  I am willing to try different things to find what would be best for Lola.