Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
I hope it’s going ok .
Dogsitting - WWYD?
- Thread starter slimjim86
- Start date
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
I didn't walk him at all yesterday, just let him bimble around downstairs and in the small garden, he did seem better for it this morning. Sadly I've had to take him for a short walk now so that the vet sees the real state of his lameness. I feel so mean
skinnydipper
Well-Known Member
I didn't walk him at all yesterday, just let him bimble around downstairs and in the small garden, he did seem better for it this morning. Sadly I've had to take him for a short walk now so that the vet sees the real state of his lameness. I feel so mean
Take a video to show the vet.
AShetlandBitMeOnce
Well-Known Member
I have a friend who's terrier was 17 and was doubly incontinent, really doddery and wobbly on his legs, his wee/poo had blood in it, cancerous tumor, almost blind, almost deaf and completely incapacitated with dementia to the point that he couldn't find his way around the house and spent hours walking in basically circles bumping into things - she took him to the vet as he kept falling out of bed at night, and the vet gave him opiates to help him sleep, knowing all of that was going on and being able to see the dog in front of him. After that I really lost faith in vets and their willingness to encourage to put the poor things down.
(yes I did tell her a lot over the last year that it was his time and all she did was cry and tell me I'm heartless about the dog, not much else I could do)
(yes I did tell her a lot over the last year that it was his time and all she did was cry and tell me I'm heartless about the dog, not much else I could do)
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
I've got one from a few months ago I took and sent to the owner when she said he didn't seem that bad with her, I think she's just someone who can't see lameness well. We've only done 5 minutes lead walk down the road but it's enough to show the vet that the painkillers aren't enough.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
That's terrible, I always complain about my equine vet years ago who told me that my horse had broken her femur and needed pts, I was in shock and wanted to talk about possible options etc and got told bluntly I either agreed to pts that afternoon or they would class it as a cruelty case and do it anyway, I don't complain that he was wrong with pts but his bedside manner left a lot to be desired, then again maybe some of today's vets need a bit of that bluntness.
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
I have a similar problem with a friend and her 15 yr old Golden Retriever. I would have pts at least 6 months ago but it's not my dog, so I've stopped commenting.
It does make me cross though. I remember being in the car with her several years ago when we saw an elderly dog being walked across a green space as we passed. 'Oh', she said, 'I couldn't do that', as we watched the dog shuffle along. I remember at the time thinking, ' I bet you do' and boy, she is doing it and more.
Her vet did suggest pts when the dog had a UTI a few weeks ago but no, friend wanted to give ABs. Poor dog struggles to stand up unaided and frequently lies in a puddle of urine overnight.
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slimjim86
Well-Known Member
They want to keep him on previcox ( don't know why, it has no effect) but have added amantadine in too, initially were going to change to metacam and if no better add an opioid but vet checked with more senior vet re dose and was told opioid often not great for arthritis so better to do amantadine, then didn't want to change the nsaid as it would be confusing re what was working and it would need a washout period too.
skinnydipper
Well-Known Member
Amantadine is given in addition to not instead of NSAID, plus Paracetamol if necessary.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
Yes keeping him on previcox while adding amantadine in, initially they wanted to swap to metacam as previcox has no effect so puzzled as to why he can't change to metacam AND amantadine but I'll trust their judgement and at least they were happy to put his comfort first and add in another drug which they seemed reluctant to do when the owner has taken him in the past.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Owners is possibly in denial perhaps she does not want to face where this is going .
And dogs often pt on a brave face for their owners
You are doing a good job.
And dogs often pt on a brave face for their owners
You are doing a good job.
skinnydipper
Well-Known Member
Do you think it might be the case that Previcox is working but just isn't enough to control the pain? Hopefully the combination of Previcox, Amantadine and Paracetamol will help, might take a few weeks before you see improvement.
skinnydipper
Well-Known Member
It is disappointing that people keep them going when it is kinder to let them go.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
Vet seemed to think should see an improvement within 48 hours and if not then stop the previcox for 48hours and swap to metacam whilst keeping the amantadine going. I forgot to ask if I should give the daily dose of each one at the same time or spread out, anyone know?
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Relations of ours have a 17 year old terrier. Doubly incontinent. Cannot walk, literally stands where it’s put in the garden and slowly drags one foot at a time to get back to its bed. Is on no pain relief ‘hasn’t seen a vet in its whole life’. It makes me sick to see. And they are so proud of its enormous age.
They had a Labrador before, pts at 15 when it literally just lay in its own mess. For two years before that is stood stock still, with all four legs splayed to hold itself upright.
I don’t go to their house if I can absolutely avoid it.
They had a Labrador before, pts at 15 when it literally just lay in its own mess. For two years before that is stood stock still, with all four legs splayed to hold itself upright.
I don’t go to their house if I can absolutely avoid it.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
I honestly don't understand these owners who can put a dog that "they love" through that. I don't think this dog is at the end, he's just at the stage where 1 level of pain relief isn't enough. If he was mine I would definitely want to try some combinations of meds ( although I would have started that at xmas), but when they aren't doing the job or they are essentially just sedating the dog then you have to be prepared to call it.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
Well just been on a short walk with him, I may be imagining it but he seemed slightly better but we did keep walk very short. He seemed a little wobbly behind, anyone know if this might be the amantadine and he just needs to get used to it?
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
Looking more positive this morning, actually seems worse in the house but that may be too much turns and on off sofa etc where as on a walk he gets to loosen up on a straight line. Gonna go to pet shop and see if I can find some grippy socks for him as any slip on the laminate will obviously be making him worse.
Annette4
Well-Known Member
I really hope the owners do the kinder thing soon.
We are having lots of conversations about our 16yo terrier and he is no where near what you're describing. He has an abnormal gait due to muscle wastage (previous owners failed to treat an injury is our best guess) and is on painkillers but totally comfortable while on those and enjoys his potters. We use a buggy for long walks but otherwise he's 'normal'. We have said this is his last summer, if he starts limping then we make the decision earlier and our vet is in agreement.
We are having lots of conversations about our 16yo terrier and he is no where near what you're describing. He has an abnormal gait due to muscle wastage (previous owners failed to treat an injury is our best guess) and is on painkillers but totally comfortable while on those and enjoys his potters. We use a buggy for long walks but otherwise he's 'normal'. We have said this is his last summer, if he starts limping then we make the decision earlier and our vet is in agreement.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
I'm really hoping that the amantadine will continue to see him improve more, vet said will know by today if it's working and he's definitely improved, I'd say 3/10 lame on this mornings walk, the bits I've read about the drug say it takes a few weeks to show results so hopefully that means this is the start of the improvement 
It really doesn't help that he bounces up and down with excitement at going out / someone coming in / dinner time etc, and is up and down off the furniture so often, they really don't help themselves sometimes
It really doesn't help that he bounces up and down with excitement at going out / someone coming in / dinner time etc, and is up and down off the furniture so often, they really don't help themselves sometimes
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
Little update, not too bad on Tuesday or wednesday morning / lunch, came back at tea time and very hoppy so only out in the garden for a toilet break, I think he may have slipped on the laminate to cause the setback. Was a bit better by evening walk and grippy socks have arrived this morning. Not sure how useful the socks will be as they have needed pulling up a few times already so if the grip bit isn't going to stay on the bottom of the foot are they just going to be more slippy and dangerous?? Honestly don't know what to do next, even if he was mine I'd be a bit stumped if we are "there yet" or just starting on that road, there's a lot of muscle wastage now aswell which obviously makes things harder for him. I'm so grateful that my old girl went downhill so quick there was none of the questioning and second guessing.
AmyMay
Situation normal
When are the owners back?
twiggy2
Well-Known Member
Honedtly laminate flooring is not good for any dog but especially older or arthritic ones, i agree the dog probably needs pts but they could at least put rugs down evwrywhere to help the dog get about for now.
Yoga mats are a cheap and efficient short term option.
Yoga mats are a cheap and efficient short term option.
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
L
Late tomorrow so I know I can't/ don't have to do anything about it, just needed this safe space over the last few days to get stuff out xx
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
They've hot a rug in front of sofa so at least that helps when he gets up and down from there, at his age the problem is even the other dog knocking into him can be enough to push him over on slippy floor, or a stray leg slips when he's getting up, so disappointed in the socks coz they were great for my old boy.
dreamcometrue
Well-Known Member
@slimjim86 you are a damn good dog sitter. I hope they pay you well for all the worry and extra care that you have shown x
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
I sent her a short video of him on his walk tonight, he wasn't too bad, as said before he is better outside so I pointed this out to her and said how much trouble the laminate causes him, problem is the other dog likes to use rugs as a toilet area apparently. Anyone any suggestions for types of rugs / mats that would be easy wipe clean type things?
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Yoga mats as suggested above?
slimjim86
Well-Known Member
Do they wipe clean easily?
Edit, just looked them up on amazon and sent a link to her as a suggestion.
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Clodagh
Well-Known Member
I would think so, you can just rinse the surface off under an outside tap.
All else fails they could house train the other dog?