Bailey the Springer with issues

by Boudicea
(West Midlands - UK)

My Bailey is a rescue and has many issues, which I have written about before.

Apart from his bad start in life in respect of owners, he also has what I call a bad skeleton, I dont think he is a particularly good example of the breed.

Bailey will be 5 this August and two years ago he had his back leg rebuilt due to a sliding kneecap, and although he favours it a bit, it is holding up remarkably well with just doggie joint supplements to assist it. However, last summer whilst running with a huge log, Bailey sommersaulted into the air and damaged his right shoulder. This has never really returned to normal and more recently he has done something to the good back leg. In spite of limiting walks to 10 mins on the lead, and X rays and Metacam, neither leg seems to be improving. I know the vet said it could be months but I cannot manage the no walks scenario for long, this was the longest at 14 days. This is because Bailey becomes extremely destructive and aggressive and is now back to attacking me in an aggressive manner and barking back at me when I tell him off, which is the behaviour he exhibited at 14 months of age when I first took him on.

Today, after two minutes off the lead, he has come home and is limping on his back leg again. I'm at my wits end. Does anyone have any thoughts. Basically I wonder whether I should just let him enjoy himself and manage the pain and my emotional state as best as possible, or should I put him in a cage for several months and then test the water again.