Cocoa’s Story: How a home visit gave an old dog a new lease of life 
At Paws Indoors, we believe that veterinary care should be stress-free and comforting, especially for our older pets. That’s why mobile vet visits can make all the difference. Cocoa’s story is a perfect example of how compassionate care at home can help pets and their families through difficult times.
A worrying call for Cocoa
Andrew and Callum rang us one morning, distraught. Their beloved Cocoa — a 13-year-old scruffy brown dog with a cheeky smile — wasn’t himself. He wouldn’t eat. He couldn’t get up without help. He’d lie down again, clearly in pain. They feared the worst.
A familiar face and a gentle examination
I headed to their home straight away. Cocoa greeted me from his bed with a thump of his tail and a brave attempt to sniff this new visitor. Despite his apparent discomfort, he still had that spark of friendliness. He was the delightful sort of dog that many years ago, when I was young, would have been called a mongrel. With a scruffy, uncontrollable chocolate brown coat, now tinged with grey, a waggy, whippy tail and a cheeky expression, he was probably related to a labradoodle.
As I gently examined Cocoa from head to tail, I talked Andrew and Callum through each step. Their worry was palpable as it was easy to guess what was going through their minds — it’s hard to see an old friend struggling.
But there was good news: Cocoa wasn’t terminally ill. He was in pain because of age-related arthritis in his hips and knees — not an uncommon issue for dogs his age, which meant he had slowed down a lot. Aside from his rickety old limbs, Cocoa was quite fit for a 13-year-old dog.
I explained that it is often difficult to spot the signs of pain in a dog; they don’t do what we would expect. They don’t cry out or even limp. What they do is change their behaviour – move slowly and move less, put weight on the limbs that hurt least, but still look like they are using all four legs.
A plan to help Cocoa at home
While arthritis can’t be cured, it can certainly be managed. I suggested that we bring Cocoa to the surgery for X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any more serious conditions. Andrew and Callum helped me lift him into the car, trusting us to help their gentle boy.
Later that day, the X-rays confirmed he had some arthritis in his hips and knees, and we started Cocoa on anti-inflammatories, pain relief, and joint supplements. Already, there was a difference — he was moving more easily and seemed more like his old self.
Simple adjustments, big difference
Back at home, I showed Andrew and Callum a few simple changes they could make to make Cocoa’s life a little easier. They could easily…
- Add rubber-backed mats to cover slippery laminate floors
- Create a small improvised ramp at the back door to help him get in and out
- Reduce the need to jump or climb unnecessarily
We also discussed laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment that helps reduce inflammation and promote healing. Cocoa had his first session that same day.
Cocoa’s comeback
Two weeks later, I returned to check in. What a difference! Cocoa was on his feet, moving comfortably, and had even returned to barking at the front door and playing tug with Basil, the family’s younger beagle.
But the most heartwarming sight was the smiles on Andrew and Callum’s faces. Their worry had turned into relief and joy as they saw their beloved Cocoa, the old rogue, still by their side. Cocoa was moving more easily, free of pain, and had even resumed some of his old habits, such as barking at the front door and playing tug-of-war with Basil, the family’s younger beagle.
Do you need a mobile vet in your area?
If you live in our catchment area [https://pawsindoors.co.uk/information/areas-covered/] and your pet is in need, whether for arthritis management, regular health checks, or end-of-life support, Paws Indoors is here for you. Our mobile vet service brings compassionate, professional care straight to your door.