Old age in dogs

The injections may be worth looking at, one of my customers has a spaniel with arthritis and its condition has greatly improved since starting a course of them.

Other than this you know when the time is right, personally for me I wouldnt chose to have a major op on an elderly animal.

Some vets seem drawn to prolonging life needlesly by carying out very expensive operations that are potentially extremly stressfull for the animal. If in doubt get a second opinion.

I know its hard but you need to think rationally about it.

Even for myself who has put down (shot) quite a few cows and calves before when I worken on a farm, loosing my old cat was very hard.

 

Hello again Borrowers!

Thank you for your welcome to GC.

I wondered if the pic was your dog, but I didn't like to presume!

From what you say, I would bet my bottom dollar that it is the start of arthritis that is the problem. When dogs show a bit more reluctance to do the norm, then it is probably because they are feeling stiff or achy and it just takes that little bit of extra effort for them to do things they used to do without even thinking about. I also bet that is why she gets a bit irritable with younger dogs as she may feel she has to move more rapidly than her old bones want her to, to avoid them!

From the pic, she looks lovely.

Yes B, I have 2 cats. I always wanted a dog, but when I was working I never had the time to devote to one, and now I have been unwell for a while, I've not had the energy to have one!

I love the German Shepherds and Collies in particular, and sadly they do suffer arthritis problems - especially of the hips. An xray would determine if this was her problem. Although, vet bills for arthritis can be expensive if your pet isn't insured. They can also get arthritis of the lower spine or 'spondylitis' as it is called. This may lead to a stiff gait and a reduction in general flexibility - especially for things like climbing stairs or jumping into cars.

Here is one of many links to the use of nutritional suppliments for dogs. Hope it helps!

http://www.placervillevet.com/nutraceuticals.htm

I'll try and get some pics of my cats up and would enjoy seeing more of Joyce!

Cheers,

Kathy

 

Edited - double post!

[ 23. March 2008, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Cookie Monster ]

 

I would agree with you Pro Guard - to a certain extent. Yes, there certainly are vets out there who will treat an animal exhaustively and lose sight of the fact that this is not always the beneficial manner to adopt. But please remember, there are also a majority of vets who consider the welfare of the animal to be the most important object over financial gain and would always honestly tell the owner when to call it a day and not to prolong suffering with futile and expensive courses of treatment. I hope that in every case I treated, I can say this to be true personally.

The course of injections are certainly worth considering if arthritis is the source of Joyce's trouble.

The drug is called "Cartrophen Vet" and is given as a course of 4 injections - each injection about 7 days apart. I have had good results with this, but like everything, the effect depends on the individual animal and the severity of its condition.

You can read about it here....

http://www.kvh.com.au/Cartrophen%20Vet.html

 

Apologies for double post - went back to edit my reply and duplicated it instead - is there an edit feature on this forum?

 

Yes CM. When you post, a lot of little icons appear above the box. It's the one to the right of the main block (I think it is of 3 but can't be sure because I haven't posted yet)

 

Thanks Paul & Kathy,
It sounds like you are both/have been vets, is that right?

I would consider anything for Joyce, but funds are limited although i will find them if i have to.

I don't believe in prolonging life when the patient (human or animal) is not having a good quality of life. It does hurt seeing anyone or anything go, but better than being in pain & misery.

It's totally different when it's your own family(pets included of course) isn't it?

Paul, have you got any other pets after losing your cat? Sorry if i've missed a thread you've put up, but my memory is shot (no medical reason, just me).

Kathy, get some pics posted.

Thanks again. I'll let you know of any developments.

cheers
Sandra

 

It's the fourth on the top line above your post.

 

CM (did you know we can't have the word 'c****e' on here?), i double posted without knowing how!

Don't worry we're very forgiving on here. At least everyone has been to me since i joined & i'm still making mistakes!

cheers

 

Thanks Sarra!

I think I will need the edit button a lot!Fingers run away before brain gets in gear....

Yep Sandra - I am a vet. Have been out of practice for a while due to illness but maintain links with my old practice and hope to get back to it some day, hopefully soon!

Cost of treatment was always an issue with me - I often felt that expensive vet bills often precluded a lot of animals from getting treatment when they needed it. I always tried to keep costs for clients down if I could - often to the discruntlement of some of my early bosses! The cost of overheads, drugs, medical equipment, paying staff, hospital facilities etc etc are all incredibly expensive - the existence of the NHS means that lots of us don't realize how expensive medical procedures can be. Although I do know that there are vets out there who are in it for counting the pennies more than welfare. But they are not the majority really.

These are my cats Sandra - Booby(tabby) and Beepee(with tongue sticking out.) My better half, James, took this last summer - I hasten to add that since this the dandelions have all been weeded out and the lawn edged!!!! Hope you like.

 

Hi CM
I thought you were a vet. I don't think you ever stop being one in a sense do you?

I do hope your illness is receding, whatever it is & that you are coping & happy. That's the main thing.

Your cats look lovely. Just want to snuggle with them, which i bet you do all the time.

lovely pics. well done james.

cheers

 

love your pic cookie monster, made me giggle :D
your cats are gorgeouse..

 

Thanks Borrowers and YDD!

Both cats are the product of a combination of my work and me being such a soft touch!

BP was born in the surgery to her stray mum and Booby was likewise an unclaimed stray who managed to find her way into my affections. Booby is totally deaf and BP pretends to be totally deaf!

Wouldn't be without them.

 

:D Yes i know what you mean. Joyce is suffering (not literally) from hearing loss. But i'm sure it's like 'man's deafness', selected :D

cheers

 

Hmmmm - funny how they always hear the tin opener!

Boob makes up for her ears with her nose - in fact we call her the Abominable Nose!