Just back from the vet and Loki didn't fair too badly really. Loki was tense on examination of his spine and neck giving the impression of discomfort which he thinks is from Osteoarthritis. Ken the vet wants to try him on "Librela" in conjunction with the steroids and not increase the steroid dose to minimise the side effects. Loki does have some feeling in his tail and his reflexes are generally Ok. His heart rate is on the slower side, which apparently is good.
Ken stressed the importance of continued daily exercise and said the condition will progress much quicker in dogs who do not go out for sensible, consistent, moderate walks. Of course I agree, Loki can't do a marathon now, but for mind as well as body he needs to go out.
"The active substance in Librela is bedinvetmab, a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) designed to recognise and attach to a protein called nerve growth factor (NGF). Once attached, it prevents NGF from attaching to its receptors (targets) on nerve cells and interrupts the transmission of pain signals."
