Dogs Aging

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poiuytrewq

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Up until recently (maybe the last 6-8 months) my Labrador has been as active and healthy as his puppy days!
We started noticing very slight things like when he corners into the kitchen at speed he'd fall- only for an instant then he was up and gone again. Now he seems to struggle slightly to get up sometimes and cant get on the sofa- always a banned place but if invited he loves a sofa hug! He can still get up but needs a really good run up (we send him out of the room and move the coffee table ;))
He's still very happy, eating and drinking and loves to play but tires easily.
He is also pooing in the house but he doesn't know he's done it. He would be mortified and very squinty in a corner if he thought he'd done wrong but he has no idea at all. Gross but it just fall out of him its not like he stops to poo.
Today ive come home from work (only 4 hours I usually leave the back door open but it was tipping down) and he was in his bed with poo as if he'd just done it sleeping.
He has a joint supplement and is fed dry food 2x daily not huge amounts as I hate fat lab's but he's a nice weight.
What can I do to help him and what are the next stages of this getting old process?
I left home before our child hood pet died and he's our first "grown up life" dog- It sad seeing such an active dog age almost before our eyes.
 
I cant offer any solutions but just wanted to say we are going through exactly the same thing with our 11yr old IWS, An almost identical scenario actually. I have made an appointment to take him to see my most trusted vet this coming Monday as Im no longer sure he is completely happy and pain free and I will not have him lingering into a miserable old age (not suggesting that you are OP), I want an unbiased opinion on what I should or could be doing and I know that Paul will do that. Tbh that would be my advice, get him health checked and as long as he is pain free and you can cope with the side effects of his old age let him continue as he is until that changes. I do agree though, its horrid watching them decline. At least we have the ability to do the right thing though x
 
All our dogs have gone through a 'getting old stage' almost as if they were becoming senile. I'd be worried about the incontinence and suggest a check up at the vets in the first instance and deal with each issue as it arises its different for every dog.
 
Just going through this with our 13 year old Golden Retriever, and incidentally have taken her to the vets this evening. She has always been private going to do a no 2, but now it almost falls out as she walks, she is having bouts of Colitis which are being controlled with a tablet from the vets. We can and have coped with all this, including the weakness behind, stiffness getting up etc. But this last week she has started panting heavily and pacing from the kitchen to the lounge.

Was worried it was the start of heart failure, hence the vet visit tonight, however vet says heart strong and maybe a pain response so have prescribed some pain relief on top of her Metacam, if not pain then he suspects it could be the start of dementia :-(

It's heartbreaking seeing them age, we have had our goldie since a pup and the thought of losing her is just unbearable.
 
Aww it's made sadder because in the space of time our puppies become old we don't really feel any different I think? ( if that makes sense?!)
I hadn't really thought until reading these replies that he also is starting to pant dramatically.
I'm completely happy at this point he isn't in pain, unless I suppose the weakness behind is painful?

He's very alert and his tail certainly hasn't slowed!
 
he sounds like he needs a vet check. back end could be arthritis which would improve with meds or could be something that wont' improve. get him down to the vets .
 
I agree regarding the vet - he may just be a bit arthritic and need a joint supplement. I just had to tell about my 17yr old JRT though - she was sleeping a lot more than normal, dragging herself around and only eating as much as she needed. After a vet check for her booster, the vet suggested using PlaqueOff instead of having a dental, because of the risk of a GA at her age. It is seaweed and contains minerals - it has taken YEARS off her. She sprints around the garden and scoots in through the door. Yes, she does sleep a lot and yes, at the yard she wanders around in a little world of her own (senses not what they were) but she looks 12 rather than 17. Worth a try - you can get it on line.
 
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