Sleeping it off

[Tiddlypom]

The elderly JRT has been giving us some concern lately. He has become a little reluctant to eat his meals recently, but we put that down to faddiness as he has form for that. When he wouldn’t/couldn’t eat the pigs ear that he gets as a distraction when we get a Sainsbury’s home delivery, it was time to take him to the vet. Vet couldn’t find anything obviously wrong, but saw that he was struggling to yawn. TMJ (jaw) arthritis was suspected, and he was put on metacam plus an antibiotic to clear his dog breath.

He went back today for a third vet visit, this time as a day case, for a head x ray and blood panel. X rays are clear (phew), the blood panel is good, but some shards of bone (most likely from his self caught bunny takeaways) were found lodged in between his teeth causing ulceration of his tongue. This has now all been sorted, along with a good clear out of tartar, and vet is hopeful that he will be much more comfortable now.

He is now sleeping the sedation off back at home. We’re hoping for a few more years yet out of the little bugger (he’s 15).

 

[Moobli]

Bless him ❤️

 

[splashgirl45]

fingers crossed he is now sorted and will be with you for a long time...

 

[{97702}]

Awww I’m officially a terrier lover now after all these years..... what a sweetie, I hope he picks up well ❤️

 

[ester]

ooh that sounds painful without involving the tongue too, hopefully back to usual pig ear behaviour.

 

[CorvusCorax]

He's a great age! Was going to say teeth or ears, glad you got sorted. Mine is eating very slowly due to a sore ear at the moment, crunching and chewing is very ouchy for him, so soaking his kibble also.

 

[EventingMum]

He's lovely, hope he feels better soon.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Terriers eh? The hard men of dog breeds, the antics they get up to is always a concern for us owners!

 

[Chiffy]

Oh, that was good news then, hope he gets back to his terrier ways now but without too many bunnies to eat!

 

[Bellaboo18]

What a little sweetie ♥️♥️

 

[Goldenstar]

He’s lovely I love old dogs .
If he stays on the Metacam he ought to have something to protect his tummy .

 

[Tiddlypom]

Thanks, all. I’d wondered if he had a tooth abscess so I wasn’t too far out. He’s still rather tottery this evening, but has managed a pick at some home cooked chicken and rice. He is letting us all know that he has been very brave and needs a lot of cuddles, please.



GS, I didn’t know that about metacam and dogs. He’s on that and gabapentin atm, but hopefully just for another week.

ETA He’s just been retrieved from upstairs. He is not allowed upstairs, though that never stops him, of course.

 

[MrsMozart]

Aw. He's such a handsome wee lad.

 

[OldNag]

He's gorgeous. Hope he is feeling better soon.

 

[Tiddlypom]

He's a great age! Was going to say teeth or ears, glad you got sorted. Mine is eating very slowly due to a sore ear at the moment, crunching and chewing is very ouchy for him, so soaking his kibble also.

I hope that your lad is more comfortable now, it’s horrid seeing them in discomfort, isn’t it.

The JRT refused breakfast this morning. I bought him some Chappie today and he has eaten part of that tonight. He does seem more comfortable generally even though he’s not eating much, at least he is not pulling faces any more. He is bound to have some residual discomfort, but I’m hoping that it’s short lived.

He’s keen to get a takeaway, though, this is him checking for bunnies in the hay barn tonight. None present, sadly for him (but not for them).

 

[ester]

can't be feeling too bad at least

off topic- love your floor!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I hope that your lad is more comfortable now, it’s horrid seeing them in discomfort, isn’t it.

The JRT refused breakfast this morning. I bought him some Chappie today and he has eaten part of that tonight. He does seem more comfortable generally even though he’s not eating much, at least he is not pulling faces any more. He is bound to have some residual discomfort, but I’m hoping that it’s short lived.

He’s keen to get a takeaway, though, this is him checking for bunnies in the hay barn tonight. None present, sadly for him (but not for them).

View attachment 37880

Great pic. It might even just be the memory of pain that's making him a bit more reluctant to wolf it all down!

Mine is in good form, it's me that's depressed about it!! Started steroids and strong antibiotics and drops for a week on Tuesday, the ear is still crusty and sore but there's a lot less heat in it today. His foot looks much better although I wouldn't trust him not to chew it yet (he took part of his pad off) so still daily washing and powdering and wrapping. And the sore on his back leg is drying up/being left alone. Vet thinks it's just a generic infection of some sort. Doesn't help that he can detect very small bits of pill in his dinner lol...

 

[{97702}]

. Doesn't help that he can detect very small bits of pill in his dinner lol...

Just stuff it down his throat, it’s a lot easier and you know they’ve had it that way 😂

Hope your little one regains his appetite soon TP, he does seem quite active still though! 😊

 

[Tiddlypom]

Eep, CC, your poor chap. I hope that he continues to pick up well.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Thank you, he is half the age of your boy, oh for the constitution of a terrier!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I spoke to my vet at length re Rimadyl/meta am and unless it’s a good long time, the stomach tends to cope ok. Big dog was on long term Rimadyl and never showed any signs of stomach issues. The vet did say he’d do blood tests occasionally if it were very long term.

 

[tiahatti]

He is adorable.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I spoke to my vet at length re Rimadyl/meta am and unless it’s a good long time, the stomach tends to cope ok. Big dog was on long term Rimadyl and never showed any signs of stomach issues. The vet did say he’d do blood tests occasionally if it were very long term.

Thanks. I will chat to my vet about it if he needs to be on Metacam long term. He’s also got four more gabapentin capsules to take daily along with the Metacam.

I can report that today, 3 days after he was at the vets, he seems to be back to his normal terriorist ways. He hasn’t been up for a walk til today, when despite the weather (we are awash after 24 hour of heavy rain) he insisted that I took him out.



This is on the lane we walk along...



He is eating again, though he’s still on chicken and rice. Here he’s licking out the foil from the baked salmon we had last night. I think he may continue to hold out for nicer food rather than go back his kibble. We shall see.


Ester, the camera must flatter our kitchen flooring - it’s a rather ancient vinyl IRL .

 

[splashgirl45]

glad he seems to have recovered....