Pet Advice

[TSIAS]

I know many DU'ers are pet lovers, so I was hoping someone could answer my question.

My dog is 15 years old and has been in fading health lately. Her health and motor skills have been deteriorating for years, but just recently it's taken a turn worse.

A week or so ago, she got sick to her stomach and started throwing up. That went on for a couple of days. Now she seems to be eating better and not throwing up.

However, for the last two days, she hasn't been able to get up. I can see her trying to get up, but she isn't able to. I see her front legs simply stiffen up any time we try to get her to move.

Does anybody have experience with this type of situation? I'm concerned that if she doesn't get better quickly that we might have to make some tough decisions. I don't want to do anything premature, but I also don't want her to suffer unnecessarily.

Thanks in advance.

[roguevalley]

1. have your baby evaluated. I have two dogs on aspirin for arthritis.

[TSIAS]

2. I'm thinking arthritis

Lately, she's been biting her legs on a frequent basis. I'm not sure whether it's arthritis or maybe she has allergies that make her itch.

[MADem]

4. Be careful with aspirin. especially with smaller dogs

Baby aspirin is the way to go. The full strength can be toxic.

[Lorien]

6. Asprin can kill pets

see a vet for proper meds.

[MADem]

3. Not to be heartless, it does not look good

But a vet could answer your questions. It could be simply a bad case of arthritis/progressing hip displasia coupled with a coincidental sour stomach (rich holiday food, maybe?). That could be ameliorated with some rymadil and pepto.

When you take her to the vet, be prepared for the question re: the needle, but it could be that she has a few months or years in her still.

[Lorien]

5. Take her to the vet

it may simply be arthritis, in which case there are meds that can help. What kind of food are you feeding her? Most commercial foods contain ingredients that aren't fit for human consumption (such as spoiled meat, and even road kill). Older pets can develop sensitivities to dyes and corn products in commercial foods, too. I put my older cat, who was throwing up daily and having trouble walking, on a holistic diet. He can run around the house now, and he hasn't thrown up once.

These sites have listings for holistic brands: www.pookiesbowwowbakery.com (located in Central Florida) and www.waggintails.com

[TSIAS]

7. I try to feed her the right stuff

We have her on a special prescrition diet. I think it's called something like Canine I/D.

She's had problems with her liver for the past few years. She almost died a couple of years ago and was diagnosed with a bad liver.

We made the mistake of feeding her some table scraps on New Year's during the Gators game. She hasn't been the same since.

I'm more worried about her inability to move. She's been down and out before, but not to the point where she can't get up. I haven't been able to get her to move in days.

Anyway, thanks for the advice Jen. I'll end up having to take her to the vet to get some sort of help.

:hi:

Taylor

[Lorien]

8. Good luck!

and please let us know how she's doing when you get back from the vet.

Jen

[RadicalMom]

9. She could be dehydrated and in need of subcutaneous fluids,

which is another reason to get her to the vets immediately. If you have an emergency vet hospital in your area, you should go immediately. This is not a situation you should put off, and please get ger help first thing in the morning, at least. I've been through this same sort of thing, and they made it clear to me that you shouln't wait. If she can't get up, is she passing urine and feces where she is lying? If you are concerned about the vet bill, many will work out a payment arrangement or take credit cards. I owe my cat's life to American Express.

[Fridays Child]

10. My elderly dog had an inner ear problem...

...which was treated with a course of some sort of vitamin. Anyway, her symptoms were very much like what you're describing. Try Googling "Canine Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome" for more information, and good luck. :)

[grasswire]

11. my dear...

...what are you waiting for? An animal that can't get up is an animal that needs to go immediately for evaluation. And yes, you may face the possibility of coming home without your pet. But think of the dear dog's best interest. He/she may be in pain. Get some help for the poor thing. Don't wait.

[ps1074]

12. my doggy was in the same condition

She was a couple of years older than yours. Her health was not good but she was holding pretty well for her age. Then all of a sudden she was not able to get up. She was trying and trying with n success. I had to get her up, so she could walk...

I had a vet check her up and he said the end is near :( I took my baby home for a couple more days. I could see in her eyes she was begging me to let her go. And so I did. The most difficult decision in my life. It's been an year and a half but I still miss her.

If your doggy hasn't walked for days at that age, may be it is time to let her go.

Big hugs for you and your doggy :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

13. My first advice would be to take her to the vet

Since he would be much more qualified to evaluate your dog than we ever could.

The vomiting could be anything, but is definitely a real cry for veterinary evaluation. It could be anything from pancreatitis to a passing illness. Whatever it is, only your vet can determine the cause and prescribe the proper meds, if necessary, to help alleviate it.

Not being able to get up is much more serious. When my Barney, at 18, was unable to get up, I immediately called his vet and brought him in immediately. He was undergoing acupuncture for calcification of his spine and the vet gave him a couple of sessions of electro-acupuncture, and he was, thankfully, able to walk again. But I realize that this may not be an option for you. My other dog, Sheena, was suddenly not able to get up and my vet recommended Rimadyl, over the phone, since I already had this medication for Barney, because he couldn't tolerate it. It led to stomach distress and the pancreatitis, so I never gave it to him again, but I still had it. He knew my dog and told me what dose to give her. Sheena was on her feet the very next day. But I gave it to her with Tagamet, so her stomach wasn't upset and she could tolerate this very strong medication.

The med that my vet recommends most often for problems like this is Chrondroflex. There are many out there, like Cosaquin, but he has seen the most effective results with Chrondroflex, helping dogs with stiffness and moving more easily. It also comes in chewable, and doesn't have the harsh side effects of a med like Rimadyl.

Please consult your vet. I wish that you could take your dog to mine, who offers alternative treatments along with traditional ones. Yes, your dog is older, as was my Barney, at 16 or 17, but his quality of life was important to me and he was able to maintain it with supplements and the proper meds. But I couldn't do this myself. I needed the help and advice of my vet. Please get your dog evaluated. If you have an enlightened vet, you'd be surprised at what is available to improve the lives of our older pets.

You didn't say what breed of dog you have. Smaller dogs generally have an easier time of it, as they age. Mine were cocker spaniels, but they still ran into problems which I had to have treated. Please let us know how this turns out. I have been there, and I care.;(

[madison2000]

14. Definitely take her to the vet

It could be arthritis, or she could be getting weak because of kidney failure or some other problem. Let your vet advise- they can usually tell you when its unlikely to get any better.

Sorry! :hug:

[Cooley Hurd]

15. Your vet should be able to give you insight on how to proceed...

When my poodle, Paddy, fell ill in the last days of her life (she was also 15), my vet was candid and forthright about my options which, unfortunately in Paddy's case, were few. Trust your vet, and hopefully the decision will be made for you.

Here's wishing you and your dog peace, my friend.:hug:

[radwriter0555]

16. Remember that this is about HER, not YOU. Put HER feelings, pain and

emotions first. Look in her eyes and ask her what she wants, she'll tell you. And importantly, let her know it's ok for her to die if that's what she wants. Sometimes our friends stick around longer than they should because they feel obligated.

Don't let her suffer, that's the most important thing. If you can make her comfy for a while longer with a minimal effort, then by all means do so, but if she's ready to go, don't hinder her passing, and if need be, ease her passage into the next life.

BTW, a friend of mine did the COOLEST thing when she put her dog down; on the way to the vet and on the table as she got the injection, doggy got to eat a HUGE chocolate candy bar! WHATTA WAY TO GO!

[Mandate My Ass]

17. Your vet can probably prescribe something

My doggie had arthritis and a calcified disk in her back and on damp days in particular, she had a hard time getting around. My vet put her on prednisone which made her much more spry and gave her back a lot of mobility but prednisone does affect behavior and appetite. It's kind of a puppy upper.

[Richardo]

18. We just put down our 14-year old big dog before Christmas...

He needed help getting up (could not raise himself on his hindquarters his hips were so weak), and was developing lipomas and other bumps on his sides and face. His back legs would sometimes get tangled up as if he could not feel or control them.

We finally decided to have the vet come out, check him out, and euthanize him if needed. She gave him a couple of tests and just said 'it's time'.

One of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but I put his head on my lap as the injection was administered and he slipped peacefully away.

I feel for you - and send you wishes for the strength and peace to do the right thing by your puppy. :hug: