AnimalsAll

Commiserations Cavstar, You really have had a 'bad run' with this & then your 2nd dog suffering extreme pain from a likely slipped disc. I'm 3wks new to this forum & only just figured out how to see the most recent posts (by using the 'custom' sort option & choosing the number of days to 'search' for updates - when I sort by updated posts, they only present chronologically). I've just found your 2 posts, almost 2wks late. I imagine I'm too late to aid your decision for your 14yo suffering kidney stones & renal failure & I'm sorry for that. I couldn't have told you what to do, anyway - only you have the knowledge of your dog to honestly assess her quality of life. I would only have suggested you try undertaking a mental empathy exercise: putting yourself in her place - with her priorities in life - & then asking if you'd like to die in your sleep if your balance of pain and pleasure was similar, & expected to worsen? As someone once wisely told me: there are many experiences worse than 'the long sleep'. I figure this is especially true for animals who receive sedation before their barbiturate overdose (some vets don't give sedation, as a nightmare vet experience in Craigieburn in 2023 taught me). Anyway, I trust you made the right choice for her and I hope your other dog is now pain-free, too. I have a 12yo dog with earlier stage renal failure (no weight-loss, yet, & she improved 1 stage on Royal Canin renal diet supplemented with chicken, tuna, peas and carrots, now with Canine Rosehip Vital supplement). I've been told that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - often used as first-line painkillers - will harm her kidneys. One vet recommended them by mistake to treat unrelated nerve pain, so I mention this for other guardians of animals suffering chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are other analgesic options, reportedly gentler on kidneys, eg: Gabapentin, Paracetamol & CBD oil. But the pain from passing kidney stones appears renowned in human Emergency Departments - my elderly Mum with a high pain threshold found it excruciating: "much worse than childbirth". Probably depends on size of stones and ducts, & the availability of treatment for dogs. My sympathies

Many thanks to all 3 responders (plus others who read my post, looked at photos, but felt they had no value to add). I thought I'd send a 3wk update, both for responders and in case others experience similar situations in future. Please see attached photos - first taken just before 2nd nail clipping (2 nights ago), 2nd & 3rd photos taken today. After the first clipping of the damaged nail 3 weeks ago, our big, sensitive boy thankfully stopped licking his toenail, and hasn't done so, since (that we've seen). We had to ease off on the dilute Bettadine dabs (soaks became impossible, faster) as it seemed more distressing to him than potentially helpful in stemming infecfion. We decided (after reading responses) not to seek a vet opinion unless and until any signs of infection appeared, and to monitor closely for these. He'd already proven that two types of sedative/pain relief (clonidine at max dose/kg and pregabolin - used both before and after a surgery to remove his large teeth likely broken by violent humans pre-rescue - had little effect on stemming his anxious/defensive responses. In fact, Clonidine seems to make him more (not less) irritable and distrustful - his behaviour has improved as we wean him off it. My experience with this boy and another dog is that trauma anxiety of the kind triggered by flashbacks to real trauma suffered in the past (much like PTSD in humans) is not really treatable with Clonidine. Whereas, perpetual high baseline anxiety, where a dog is hypervigilant and therefore overstimulated rather than relaxed by exercise in nature; is responsive to Clonidine for the time it is needed to reduce the baseline anxiety and desensitise to calm outdoor walks. Anyway, luckily, no symptoms of infection have yet arisen... But we did discover, over time, that his nail hasn't just cracked once, but twice - once on either side of the centre. The area around each crack has also grown more brittle - a white hair got caught between the cracks as seen in photo 1 - and we discovered bruising around his nailbed on the inside edge. Fortunately, his nail grew but the cracks in it didn't lengthen. So, 2 nights ago I chose to cut the tip as short as I felt was possible while avoiding any bleeding and any substantial pain. He was both muzzled and asleep (after a meal) when I cut the nail, this time. He awoke with a start on my cut and emitted a slightly delayed snarl of defence. He was suspicious & growled at me for a while after, but by yesterday, he'd kindly forgiven me. He's never limped on this cracked nail nor cried in pain (lying on his side with sore paw in air) as he regularly does for (apparently) jarred ankles, which spontaneously recover. The shorter cut of his damaged nail is intended to reduce upward pressure on the cracks as he walks, and should increase the structural integrity of the damaged nail as it (hopefully) grows out. But we're aware this cut also raises risk of infection by reducing the external barrier to his nerve/blood supply from below. So we're reinstatimg dilute Bettadine dabs, for now. All further advice welcome. Fingers crossed infection can be avoided and damaged nail grow out with ~2-3weekly trims.

Hi KimberleyZ, I'm not a vet but the diet your Staffy is being fed sounds very good to me - a sign of real care. Which is why I feel compelled to ask: for how long has she been on Fluoxetine & Gabapentin for anxiety/discomfort; and if more than a couple of months, have you begun treating the cause of that anxiety/discomfort, so that she can be weaned off the meds, in time? My personal experience as a dog rescuer since ~1996, & guardian since ~1980; is that once a dog's natural needs are routinely met for a few months, they will no longer suffer the degree of anxiety that requires medication, at least not sedation with Fluoxetine. In short, I think every mammal has dual psychological needs for: (1) daily safe exposure to nature, ideally with some autonomy (for dogs: off-leash, generally under voice command) with space to run & expend energy and ample things to explore/sniff; and (2) positive companonship: feeling valued & purposeful within a pack/tribe, including regular socialisation with at least one other member of their own species. I've had some experience of Fluoxetine's effects with a couple of Bull Arab-type dogs (one likely a cross-Amstaff) I've helped rescue. Each had traumatic histories thanks to narcissistic & violent humans. The first dog initially needed high doses of Fluoxetine thrice daily to remain sufficiently calm - not get overstimulated - when he was (finally) exposed to nature and exercise, including seeing others of his species, initially at a distance while his self-confidence and trust was rebuilt. He suffered profound separation anxiety for several weeks before a suitable fostercarer allowed him the affection, time and freedom he required (on a rural property) to reduce his med dosage and significantly lower his baseline anxiety. Soon after that period (~6wks) a permanent home was found and his meds ended about 3mths later. The second dog was put on anti-anxiety meds by his interim owner/fostercarer (who factually misled her vet about his and her behaviour); when I didn't believe he needed them. While he does suffer some anxiety, it takes the form of PTSD-like symptoms - reacting to particular fears when triggered; but this is of a transitory nature and he calms himself quickly. He has always been relaxed on walks - is calmer during and after than before them - and enjoys positive interactions with most other dogs, as well as most people, provided he doesn't feel confined/crowded. He's being weaned off his Fluoxetine at present, and has become noticeably less tired, grumpy and fearful after each lowering of his dose; more responsive to instruction and more self-confident, overall. I feel his meds were probably only of limited use (more disadvantage) by reducing his suffering whilst in neglectful care, as he slept through more through it. The next step will be to very gradually wean him off the SSRI anti-depressant he was also prescribed - in error, I suspect (but we will see). Hyperbolic tapering seems the safest way to do this, which should take about 3-4mths. Weaning off Catapres/Fluoxetine is easier/faster), and all reductions are under a new vet's advice. Just in case have been told by some vet/behaviourist/trainer that your dog is too anxious to have the above needs met and come off medication, can I suggest you find a new, science-based vet/behaviourist/trainer. While certain human mental illnesses certainly require life-long drug therapy that can be extremely beneficial, I'm unaware of any dog illnesses of this nature. They seem far more flexible and positive of mind and, therefore, resilient, in my experience, than humans. Good luck, and if you're already working on this, please ignore my concern.

I am so glad my friend recommended Rosehip Canine Vital (RCV) to me in ~Feb 2025, after her Jack Russell showed miraculous improvement (from barely walking to running with ease). I began a trial with my 2 older working dog crosses (12 & 15yo). Both suffered serious malnutrition as Aboriginal camp dogs pre-rescue. The younger needed 2 consecutive knee reconstructions for her congenital luxating patellas when she was about 16-18mo, and her knees which then served her well, have since (predictably) grown arthritic, one especially bad since Feb 2025. She is also suffering kidney disease, was found to be stage 3 in Jan 2025 but reduced to stage 2 after 4wks on renal diet. My 14yo's spine is fused by arthritis; and he had very dodgy hips & weak back legs by Feb 2025 when he started RCV - he was stumbling, struggling to stand and walking very slowly. He also has liver issues. Daily 200mg SAMe with 15mg Milkthistle supplemental powders (from capsules) have kept his liver working since ~Jan 2023. A week into the RCV loading dose - easily mixed into their tinned fish+water+dryfood breakfasts & tinned chicken+water+vegies+dryfood dinners (they also each have a free-range chicken drumstick for lunch) and both dogs began showing improved mobility and general happiness. I weighed them at start and 4wks later and my older dog - who'd started spontaneously running a lot by then - had lost 3kg. He was too skinny for the first time in 13yrs! I had to double his dry food to cover all the extra running he was doing and keep him at a stable and healthy weight. RCV has been amazing for him, with one scoop now, morning and night, on maintenance dose. I've since heard of one case where guardian doesn't think RCV worked in his dog refusing to walk up stairs. A vet told me it helps with kidney disease, too. My younger dog's bad knee is still poor, but she's gained general mobility & muscle on RCV, and both dogs seem happier. I've even taken some myself for my own joint and muscular pain (after sports injuries/falls), and find it's got an amazing anti-inflammatory effect, fast-acting. When I pause it, the aches & pains return. So... I definitely recommend a 2mth trial, and note it's cheaper to buy online direct , with free & fast postage, too. I'm not suggesting RCV healed my dogs' arthritis, only reduced their pain to allow more mobility and that may then help their joints. I was sceptical at first but am a definite convert, now, 7mths after starting RCV.

Hi all, Our 48kg, 5yo fosterdog of 2mths, has a new split in one of his outside front paw nails, that runs from the tip about halfway to the base. It hasn't bled. He's a very sensitive dog who suffered significant violent trauma from humans pre-rescue, so is distrustful once his fear is triggered. Any vet treatment is likely to raise his baseline anxiety, which has really lowered in our care, so we're keen to avoid vet IF safe to do so. Please see 2 photos, attached, taken before & after we managed to trim the nail tip, yesterday. This required his 2 trusted carers; nail clipper; muzzle (he's fully trained for); nil force & lots of treats. He growled & momentarily air-snapped shortly after the single clip, but recovered well, with limited apparent impact on baseline anxiety. We're painting or briefly soaking the cracked nail in 1:10 diluted Bettadine, to try to keep bacteria from colonising the crack & reaching the quick. He's been licking the nail/paw occasionally, but we discourage/distract him from this & it's not been too frequent, so far. I think an Elizabethan collar will significantly raise his anxiety & he'll paw at it with damaged nail (he has history of removing one after de-sexing). Likewise, I think an adhesive dog bandage on his paw would soon be torn off, potentially damaging the cracked nail further. Also, just putting bandage on will likely require force or sedation, both of which we hope to avoid. We hadn't tried to trim or file his nails, yet, because we're still building his trust in having his paws touched & handled. He's particularly sensitive about having his paws, tail, ears & mouth touched. I've read that human split nails can have the crack temporarily covered (until they grow out) by means of fine gauze (teabag paper) coated in nail varnish. I've researched non-toxic nail varnish for dogs, but am concerned it may still irritate quick if this is exposed through crack. I also fear dog may chew treatment off. Another forum site offered the idea of supergluing the crack to prevent further splitting. But again, I'd be concerned about toxic chemicals, possible irritation of the quick & ingestion if he chews the glue off. I'm also unsure if keratin nails form a strong bond with superglue, or if glue will hold on a fine joint like this crack. So am wondering if any readers have had any comparable experiences; know of any safe repair/binding method; or other useful ideas? Thanks