Why Is My Senior Border Collie Mix Whimpering When Using Stairs? (Vet Answered)

Dear Sian,

Thanks so much for writing in, and I’m so sorry for my delay in responding!

Given Julie’s age and breed, I would be highly suspicious of some age-related discomfort creeping up around her hindquarters. It’s certainly worth getting those anal glands checked, but I think it’s more likely that her scooting may have exacerbated her hind limb issues rather than the anal glands being the reason she’s having difficulty jumping or climbing the stairs.

Dogs are amazing at masking pain, and it’s subtle changes like slowing down on walks, reluctance to jump, sit, or climb stairs, or taking longer to calculate a leap that tell us that they are likely living with arthritis. I would always recommend booking in for a physical examination with your vet, making sure to tell them about the changes you’ve noticed, even things that might seem minor. They may recommend doing some x-rays to confirm that there is nothing more sinister going on, or they may suggest starting her on some pain relief as a starting point to see how she responds.

Personally, I am a huge fan of joint supplements, and the right ones can really make a difference to canine arthritis in terms of pain relief, mobility, and overall joint health. Often, medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are also needed to reduce pain and inflammation, but as these do have long-term side effects, using them alongside supplements can be really beneficial if it means using lower doses or giving them less often. Complementary therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy are also really good for managing arthritis and mobility issues in dogs.

I would also encourage you to look into changing Julie’s exercise routine, avoiding high-impact exercises like running and jumping, and looking into swimming. Border Collies love to be challenged mentally, and activities like scent training are a great way to keep them mentally stimulated while reducing the strain on their joints.

You may also need to reduce her calorie intake to match her reduced energy output, as weight gain is something that can make arthritis much worse.

Being proactive about Julie’s joints now means she is going to be a lot more comfortable in the years to come, and she’ll definitely thank you for it!

All the best,

Dr Karyn