Dog_Horse_Girl

It's so darned hard, isn't it? If only they could tell us what they want from us. You know, if you're not coping with her as you'd like, be a little "selfish" because if you can't cope then it will lead to resentment and guilty feelings. So look after yourself first. I know I feel guilty every time I think I can't cope with Lilly for much longer, because she's gotten to the point where she can't get on and off my bed unaided, where she freezes up outside and refuses to move, and where she's weeing inside even though she's house trained. The pain isn't too bad right now, but she sleeps quite a bit...a lot more than even a few months ago. And she doesn't run around because I don't let her...if I do her neck is far too sore. Just when I think it's time, the old Lilly looks at me. And that breaks my heart. Because inside this poor old dog, lives the younger, fun-loving dog who is still there from time to time. And that's the dog I remember.

Well, she's surprising me. Even though she's not allowed outside except on a lead, she seems mostly happy right now. She's losing bladder control - she has been fairly good with this but has recently started just squatting inside even though I'm right there to take her out. She's losing weight even though she's eating the same amount and type of foods and her poos are less firm and have more volume. I think she's slowly but surely succumbing to the ageing process and if the pain flares up again, I'll more than likely give her her wings. But darn it, just when I think it's time, she looks at me - the old Lilly - and I just think, 'Not yet'. *sigh*

Lilly was really stiff and sore this morning and she's loosened up a little since. I just don't know if it's enough of an improvement for her. I had a flock of Sulphur Crested cockatoos in the yard today and had Lilly outside on the lead for a toilet break. The birds took off and normally Lilly would want to chase...but she just stood there and watched them fly off.

I've been away with my parents looking after the dogs since yesterday morning. She's resting next to me on the lounge - she's very stiff and still on strict crate rest - but as she was crated and alone all day yesterday, I've let her have some time out today. She's close to had enough I think. Mum says it may be kinder to let her go...and I agree as much as that breaks my heart...

Slightly better. She has her appetite back and is drinking but is still on crate rest and she basically sleeps most of the time. I'm reviewing on Monday...will need to re-visit the vet regardless. :)

I don't want to come across as heartless, but why are you waiting?? My vet said she should have a chance on metacam for a week to see if it resolves itself. If she wasn't eating, I would have an easier decision...but she is eating again which is a very good sign. :)

Haven't tried and don't know if it would help. She's warm enough though and her crate is full of soft bedding.

Well, Lilly ate all her breakfast this morning! But she's still not very mobile and exhibiting signs of pain, and that concerns me as she's been crated since Monday and she's only out of the crate for on-lead toilet breaks. I'll see how she goes until the metacam runs out (about a week)...unless she tells me sooner.

I'm not sure there's much more that can be done but RL thanks. She's on metacam which has taken some of the pain away. She is slightly less hunched and a little more able to "walk" but she has literally spent all day in the crate and has only had one wee. She DID eat dinner tonight! She's tired...when I took her out on lead this afternoon for a pit stop, it was school knock-off time and she wasn't even interested in chasing the kids along the fence - this is usually one of her favourite things to do. Not that she's allowed to right now...but it's hard to see the decline in her so quickly.

Em only you can make those decisions. Having said that, Bosco is a great dog, and he's very special to you, I know that. I would spend what you can comfortably afford and nothing more. If it's a stretch, you may find yourself in difficulties. Dogs don't know what cancer is but they know pain and joy. Give him joy and minimise his pain. Above that is the cream IMO. Sorry it's not much help but it's the best I've got.

She's barely wanted to move today at all. She's been in the crate resting or sleeping. In fact, I had to coax her up to go out for a wee. At least she's going to the toilet but it's so hard for me to watch her like this. Usually after an injection and a dose of the metacam by mouth, she starts to bounce back but not yet this time. I've got a blankie over her for warmth and a thick bed in the crate to protect her from the cold. She's just sleeping...which is what she's been doing since Saturday.

She's not much better this morning. She's not been to the toilet...but has had medication and a little breakfast and a drink of water. But she's barely able to move and wants to be in the crate.

PM me for info about a true elimination diet and how to go about it...been there with my highly allergic (skin, stomach, eyes) stafford mix.

Juice, she's had a slipped disc in her neck for years but this time, the pain has caused symptoms extending through much of her body...so without x-rays etc, no concrete diagnosis is available. I can't afford x-rays etc and my ex won't pay for that either. So I keep her comfortable for as long as it's worth it for Lilly. She's been resting in her crate all evening. That's no life.

She's inside most of the time. She's only outside when I'm away overnight. ETA - she's only outside during the day - she's always inside at night. No AWL but my vet is lovely and I want her remains to be cremated so I can keep her with me.

She's allowed inside when I'm home. But whenever I'm away overnight my folks keep the dogs outside during the day - it's just the way they are and there's nothing I can do about it. They put the dogs in at night though, which is something. She's on crate rest for now. Metacam to ease the pain. I'm giving her a few days to respond. And now the ex is being an arse about the bill. I've had to scrape together the $100 to pay my vet and the ex is bleating about giving me the money - true to form which is why he's my ex I suppose. I also discussed euthanasia and cremation so I'm prepared for that, but at $360 for both services, I don't know how I'll pay for it.

Have you tried confining her to a small space while she heals? Perhaps a wire crate or just one relatively safe room? Plastic hair curlers can work to protect the wound too. Just put one or however many you need to cover the wound and bandage on - so if the tail is hitting things the wound shouldn't re-open. That's a tip I heard on a greyhound forum many years ago...greyhound tails are much more delicate than boxer tails though so are far more prone to injury.

She's going in this afternoon to have it checked...my ex husband has decided to man-up and pay the expenses unless it's in the thousands and it doesn't go on for long. I think if it's arthritis it may be manageable for a few months but it will get very cold soon. My parents look after the dogs whenever I am away overnight and they leave them outside all day - against my instructions but I'm living in their house so not much I can do. Even if she's wearing her coat it's too cold for an older dog outside at this time of year. I'll update once I know more...even if it's time, I won't do it today unless I have no other option. I think it's more than a slipped disc though as she's lame and "freezes" constantly if she's standing up.

Sorry to hear that. If you have to have her pts it will still cost you though. Yes, around $80 for that; I can pay it off. But I can't pay off regular treatment or repeat consultations.

Yeah, I have thought of that. I just can't pay for it. I can't even pay a consult fee for my vet ($55). I just don't have the money.

Lilly is my greyhound. She's 12 yrs old and has had a few challenges over the years but has been highly mobile for most of the time I've had her. We live on an acre and until recently she has done zoomies every day. Just the past week or so, she's slowed down. Yesterday she started hunching over front and back ends and panting heavily. Then refused food. I know she's in pain. I have established that it's in her neck for certain (she has a slipped disc) but it also seems to be in her hips, spine and shoulders. If it's arthritis, the climate here is going to hurt her as we get well below freezing temperatures overnight. She's indoors but being a hound she suffers heat and cold more than most dogs. I can't afford longer-term medication for her - please don't flame me for that but I'm doing the best I can with the pittance I'm receiving from Centrelink. I've asked my ex to ring me because I can't even afford the vet bill/s right now. So I think it will be time to say goodbye to Lilly very soon. I can't see her in this pain...it's doing my head in.

Such a difficult day I've had. My sister called this afternoon and asked if I could take her and her Maltese to the vet - she said it was time. Buffy was blind and incontinent, had been losing weight, not eating...spent most of her time in her crate, miserable. So I took them in. I held Buffy while the morphine was administered. I held my sister while the morphine took hold of Buffy and my sister cradled her in her arms. And I held the little dog when the green dream went into her vein. She was gone in seconds. I carried her body to the car...placed her on my sister's lap...and put her back in her crate at home so that her friend Livvie (terrier cross) had a chance to say goodbye. It never gets any easier. I did my best not to cry in front of my sister...as she was very upset as it was. RIP Buffy - you were loved, you will be missed.

My little rescue, Mini Foxy x, has seizures. She is on pheno twice daily and as long as she gets her medication, she appears seizure-free. I say appears to be because I'm not with her 24/7. She's well within herself and as long as the seizures are controlled, she's at low risk of further complications. She also has a heart murmur which has progressed in a year from a Grade 1 to a Grade 2 and she will need medication for this eventually. As long as I monitor her and keep her activity levels moderate, and remind her vet that she has the murmur, it's manageable into the foreseeable future.

I'll be moving to the area next week. I know it's no help right now, but if the person changes her mind again I can take piccies of the dog for you.

So sorry to hear this, he was a great character! Run free Till.