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nelsona

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Posts posted by nelsona

    Degenerative Myelopathy And Then Vestibular Disease

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted · Edited by nelsona

    My beautiful boy was hanging in there.

    I was going to make a decision until it was decided for me.

    During his illness he was lying on a fulton (a soft bedding)

    I would turn him over regularly to prevent bedsores

    Then a dreaded bedsore appeared - small, like a 5 cent piece.

    I treated it as much as I could but within two days it grew

    big and infected.

    As the vet explained,the infection would be spreading to other parts of his body.

    He said the dog was too old to fight it; that his immune system was too tired.

    The vet said he could make him sleep on the day or next week.

    I made my decision straight away. The vet was so good, gentle, compassionate.

    (He referred to my boy "My lovely patient").

    My dog just fell asleep. I thought that was finally over for him. Definitely not too soon.

    He was tired of life.

    I can't thank you enough You beautiful people for helping me.

    Degenerative Myelopathy And Then Vestibular Disease

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted · Edited by nelsona

    My German shepherd is 14.

    My boy is also a cancer survivor.

    He was diagnosed with DM three years ago, but it looks like his disease

    did not progress that fast.

    He was mobile though dragged (a bit)his hind legs (this slowly getting worse) and was incontinent both ways.

    I would take him for short walks, but then he would collapse to a sitting position;

    and I had to stand him.

    He is also deaf and has cataracts.

    The vet advised six months ago he had 3-4 months to live, but somehow he is still around.

    He suddenly collapsed two weeks ago and I thought this was due to his DM.

    It turned out, however, that he had vestibular disease.

    He was treated accordingly and recovered;

    The problem is that since then, he stopped walking.

    I tried to stand him when he got better, but he would just collapse

    I massaged his legs, supported his body when standing him, but nothing helped.

    It looks like his legs "went" not because of his DM but due to the vestibular disease.

    He is just lying. He eats, drinks sleeps a lot and apparently is not in pain.

    I blame myself that I should have made him walk somehow; that perhaps his legs deteriorated

    due to him lying, not using them.

    I took time of work, I turn him often so he doesn't get pressure sores.

    He is incontinent, so I keep changing his nappies and bedding.

    I love him dearly and could look after him forever, perhaps organise a set of wheels.

    I could if I didn't have to work.

    If I knew it's a matter of months, I would wait with him for the inevitable (after all he is not in pain).

    I have to go to work, however; and he needs 24 hours care.

    I don't know what to do. He is alert and keeps looking directly into my eyes.

    His intelligent eyes are full of expression.

    I don't know what to do.

    I would be so grateful for an input.

    Wanting To Clean After My Dog As A Good Citizen But...

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted

    I have 13.5 y.o german shepherd who sometimes suffers from diarrhea.

    (He saw his vet but it still happens).

    Anyway, this morning I went for a romantic walk with a male suitor and my oldie and it happened.

    The diarrhea was very liquidy and ended up on a concrete ground. I did what I could to clean it (plastic bags)

    and put some earth on top of. I came later with some equipment and sand to properly clean it; Of course I was not able to remove everything so put some sand on top of it.

    I decided to never walk on a concrete ground again as it easier to clean any mess on a grassy ground.

    I would appreciate it if you lovely people could give me some advice how to deal with such unexpected accidents.

    Embarassed dog owner

    Very Old Dog

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted

    Thank you Raineth, Sheena, Westiemum, Little Gifts, Boronia and Haredown Whippets

    Thank you so much for such detailed responses.

    He did see his vet but I was told the symptoms are typical for an older dog.

    I just read about Propalin and corn silk – it looks like (if I understood correctly) these remedies only work for urinary incontinence; but worth a try together with a belly bend, at least half of the problem could be addressed. :)

    I am grateful for the detailed description how to make diapers from human diapers. Very ingenious. I will try this and if I fail I will also consider trying doggy diapers.

    Very Old Dog

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted

    My beloved oldie, German shepherd is almost 13.5 year old.

    He is a family member and has always lived inside.

    The boy is incontinent both ways and I forever clean after him.

    Putting him outside or euthanizing him (as per some people's advice) is not an option

    I would be so grateful if someone could advise me if a diaper would be a good idea

    Old Dogs

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted

    My german shepherd is 12 and half year old.

    His head is grey in parts and he can't hear anymore.

    He is a cancer survivor, has stiff hind legs (degenerative myelopathy) but still walks.

    He walks very slowly, in fact we stop and walk, stop and walk. He dictates the pace;

    however he loves his walks, sniffing around and looking at other dogs.

    Whenever wherever I walk with him he is the centre of attention due to his.... age.

    I keep hearing: "what an old dog", parents point him to their children again due to his age.

    This morning a man walking his dog said as if disgusted: "He is sooo old, is he all right?"

    Sometimes (not often) I hear "What a beautiful oldie"

    I almost feel like I am not supposed to walk such an "old dog" or perhaps he has no right to live anymore(?)

    I love my dog dearly and want him to have a good quality of life.

    My question is : "how do people on this forum react to seeing an old dog?

    Many thanks

    Change In My Dog's Personality

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted

    I am sorry to be coming back so late.

    I took everybody's advice and my father was taken to his doctor.

    It turned out that there was in fact a health issue.

    My father had strong anemia and he is taking iron supplements.

    He is much better now and my dog is back to normal.

    Thanks again.

    Change In My Dog's Personality

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted · Edited by nelsona

    Thanks so much to everyone for help

    My dog has been taken off cortisone gradually.

    I haven't brushed him lately as he avoids my company.

    I feed him beef heats, chicken hearts, chicken necks, giblets'

    tinned mackerel, ricotta cheese, egg, carrots, fruit (lately plums)

    My father is 88 and he himself said a week ago that he believes

    the dog clings to him as he senses he (my father) won't live long

    (I don't necessarily think that but perhaps indeed he is sick)

    I talked to a family member who remarked that our father does not look well

    lately and has lost weight.

    Needless to say both, the father and the dog are going for a medical check- up

    I will let you know the outcome

    Thanks again

    Change In My Dog's Personality

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted · Edited by nelsona

    that maybe my dog is dangerous and there is not hope for him...

    I have a castrated alsation, almost 10 years old. He is a good dog, very attached to us and of course very much a member of our family.

    He often gets skin allergy. 2 months ago he again got it and was put on macrolone and some other medication. He is no longer on any tablets and seems ok (no temperature) . The problem is that since then his personality changed: he only acknowledges my 88 yo father.

    He follows my father everywhere, so close that he sleeps with his head on father's feet. Whenever my father moves he follows him, waits near the toilet for him; they are inseparable. When they are together my dog expresses his displeasure when I come up.

    He became unfriendly to me and he moves away and hides behind my father. I am the one who feeds him, brushes him and shows him affection. He is happy when I come back from work and greets me joyfully and licks me, loves his walks with me but that's it; nowadays prefers to sleep in my father's room than mine. This morning I had to call him many times to his breakfast (he usually can't wait). Finally he did come, as if doing me a favour (of course he WAS hungry and ate everything)

    I don't think it's his health as he changed only towards me.

    I would be so grateful for advice.

    I Missed Two Days Of Medications For My Dog

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted · Edited by nelsona

    My German Shepherd dog (9 yo)who has been scratching was prescribed

    Antibiotics (Rilexine):

    and Cortisone (Macrolone) tablets:

    Rilexine: 2 tablets a day

    Macrolone: 5 days x 1.5 tabl, 5 days x 1 tablet and for 5 days 0.5 tablets.

    I misred the instructions and after 10 days stopped giving him the medications for 2 days;I read the instructions again and ralised my mistake.

    I don't kow know whether I should resume giving him the medication?

    I would be grateful for some information (My vet is away due to this public holiday)

    Some Breeds Less 'smelly' Than Others?

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted · Edited by nelsona

    I thought this forum was for dog lovers :)

    So you want a dog which does not bark, does not shed, does not smell and does not dare to be a dog

    I suggest you get a toy dog - definitely less problems. One person even wrote that her dog's smell puts her off to the extent that she/he does not want to spend time with him . Poor doggy :)

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