Jazz's Dog

Hi Can anyone give some advice please. Our pet German Shepherd (Jazz) has been diagnosed at having Cardimyopathy (Enlarged Heart) He has had treatment at the vets i.e. intravenous therapy,ECG XRays and is now on oral medication. The big problem is the vet advises keeping him quiet and not to let him get excited which is proving rather hard, as if you move he is up and excited, he is not allowed to have any excercise. I would be most grateful if anyone has any suggestions how to keep him calm as he is a very loving dog Thanks for any help anyone can give Jazz

 

Hi Jazz,

How long does he have to rest for? Will it be a lifelong thing or just while he is on medication?

TO

 

Try leaving the house for a while go back in and sit down for a while then repeat it,several times ...all of the time ignoring Jazz. It worked a treat with our dogs,as it broke the idea they had that they needed to protect us at all times.In fact after a few goes they just lay down and watched !!...That was a trick used by our Gamekeeper..one of his more gentle methods!!

 

Thank you T and O he is now on medication for the rest of his life He is 8 and 1/2 years old and just full of love and protection. I only wish he would not get so excited and run for his toys to give you. After his excitment he just collapses and is out for about a minute and we talk him out of it. How can you explain to a dog not to run or go upstairs it is practically impossible Thank you for your interest Jazz

 

Hello Paladin thank you for your advice we will try what you suggest and I only pray it will work. As you can realise we are very upset with the situation and are prepared to try anything that may help. Thank you again Jazz

 

Paladin's idea may work but it may be a gradual process to get him to slow down, what about a stairguard to restrict him in the house a bit?
If he is in the garden with you having him on a length of rope so he can still follow you around freely without going too daft as he will still be with you.
As for toys ones that keep him relatively still could be those shapes you get that you put biscuits in for them to sniff out or those big chew bones(used to keep our sheperd's happy for hours!)
8 1/2 I know they still have loads of energy so I guess it is about changing his behaviour with a peaceful environment whislt he still has his lovely character.

Good luck.

TO

 

Hello T & O thank you for your message. I don't think putting a gate on the stairs would help as he would just jump over it. I think putting a rope on him in the garden would be too stressful as he is used with having the run of the house and garden. He is a well behaved dog with lots of energy and of couse he does not know how ill he is. He has his own bedroom and a divan bed which he sleeps in but he is very alert and hears every little noise. The vet is going to be asked tomorrow if there is anything he can recommend we give him to keep him calm so hopefully he may come up with something. As you can appreciate we are very upset as this came on so sudden. He has always been such an active dog. Thank you again Jazz

 

Thank you T and O It would be no good putting a gate on the stairs as he would just jump over it for all he is poorly he is still very active and he has been used with he run of the house and garden. He has his own bedroom and his own divan bed which he sleeps in but he is very alert with any little sound he hears. If we put him on a rope in the garden he would be too stressed, this we must avoid. We are so upset about his condition but he has had all the right things done so far. Tomorrow the vet is going to be asked if there are any calming tablets he could be given to try and calm his excitment. Thank you very much for you suggestions as we will try anything to help him Jazz

 

Thank you all for your kind suggestions Jazz

 

Hello Dag I must apologise for using your topic. I know I should have made a new topic but I am computer ignorant and did not know how to do it. The only reason I used you was because it was the last message in Pets Corner so I knew the members would read it. I hope I did not upset you and can only say sorry. However I did get good advice and being desperate that is what I wanted. Jazz p.s. When I typed my thank you to T & O the first message disapeared and I thought it must not have been posted that is why there are two similar replies. Just call me thicky. Jazz

 

she is dag hopeless on computers looks like i will have to go to hers and show her how to make new threads :D :D
dag is off-line at the moment with tiscali, he came on briefly after 2 days and went off again

 

Hi Rosa I am pleased I got the first one in to tell all these clever computer wiz kids just how little I know. I will look forward to seeing you and don't forget to bring a hammer and chisel with you See you Rosa your friend JAZZ