Max

5 March 2026

Supporting Max in His Retirement

One of our recent beneficiaries is Max, a retired Border Force detection dog who was referred to K9 Heroes by his veterinary team after he required additional support.

Max has been undergoing treatment for elbow dysplasia, a condition where the cartilage within the joint develops abnormally. This causes the bones of the joint to misalign, creating increased pressure and friction which can lead to painful osteoarthritis.

In addition to this, Max also suffers from Canine Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis (DLSS). This condition affects the lower spine and occurs when nerves become compressed in the lumbosacral region. It can cause significant lower back pain, reduced sensation and limited mobility, and is something that working dogs are particularly prone to. As a result of this condition, Max experiences lameness in his right hind limb.

To help manage these issues, Max is receiving a multimodal treatment plan. This combines anti-inflammatory medication and nerve-blocking pain relief with specialised antibody therapy injections designed to block pain signals and slow the progression of joint degeneration.

Max has been incredibly cooperative with his treatment and is making encouraging progress. While the damage caused by these conditions cannot be reversed, his owners report that he is now far more comfortable and has a noticeably improved range of movement.

Thanks to the support provided through K9 Heroes, Max is able to enjoy a better quality of life as he settles into his well-earned retirement.