Big old dogs

[Teacher Terry]

We never had a big dog until we inherited my son’s big guy 6 years ago. He at 13 is 70 lbs but healthy except for mobility issues. Despite lots of medications he is slipping and sliding a lot and pacing at night. I am starting to think we need to let him go but husband doesn’t want to. Our little dogs usually get sick before we need to face this. Anyone with experience with this?

[lmerullo]

We had a black.lab. He also had mobility issues. The vet gave us meds, and they helped greatly. We were also told to keep him active - use it or lose it style. Even so, there were times we went too far and he'd be paralyzed. (The first time I found him like that I thought he was dead! Scary!)

Near the end, we would have to lift him to his feet so he could move from room to room or go outside. Once up, he could walk around. He died of liver failure. We didn't realize he wasn't eating until a few days had gone by, and when he was taken to the vet it was too far gone to be treatable.

[razz]

Having gone through this decision process recently, I offer my sympathy and support.

[Teacher Terry]

He gets a walk but can only go 4 blocks extremely slow. He is on 2 types of medication. He can still get up by himself but it’s hard for him.

[iris lilies]

I am sorry to hear this. I have 60+ lb dogs but they are not tall. So far, all of our bulldogs die of internal stuff, we have not had to carry them around or help them get up.

[Teacher Terry]

We carry our little dogs too. This guy is big. He lost 10 lbs this summer. Despite being on a ton of medications I still think he has pain. He is also snapping if startled and I am worried about someone getting bit. He is very sweet. We on going on a 11 day cruise the end of February and last year he got so depressed that he wouldn’t interact with my son who he adores. He just stared at the front door or hid in our bedroom. This year we are having a dog sitter. We have gotten so attached to the old guy and he is so good with the little ones.

[JaneV2.0]

It sounds like it would be cruelty not to let him go, poor old boy. I know that's a painful decision, but they often tell us when they're ready.

[Tybee]

Oh Terry, that is so sad. We had a 14 year old Aussie who had what the vet called doggie MS and doggie Alzheimers. He had terrible mobility issues at the end. We kept him alive because my son was coming to see him-- and it was so sad, he didn't even know who my son was.
But yes, we had to lift him and carry him outside to go to the bathroom, and my husband has a bad hip and it was very, very difficult.

We have two big dogs now but I think from now on, going forward, we will go back to my beloved terriers. If only so I can pick them up if need be.

[Teacher Terry]

Thanks for the responses. We took him this summer to see my son in Kansas since he was his dog. Then my son moved to Vietnam but visited Noki on his way in September. My little dogs have been easier because they were so sick. We will have lost 4 dogs in 18 months.

[catherine]

Thanks for the responses. We took him this summer to see my son in Kansas since he was his dog. Then my son moved to Vietnam but visited Noki on his way in September. My little dogs have been easier because they were so sick. We will have lost 4 dogs in 18 months.

I'm so sorry! :(

Losing a dog is so incredibly painful. It's one of the reasons I'm reluctant to get another, having lost my border collie/lab just about a year ago. Hugs to you, TT.

[iris lilies]

I meant t to say we have NOT had to carry our large dogs for daily activities due to their illnesses.

[Teacher Terry]

I was wondering how you carried them IL:)). Due to dog rescue we had 4 old dogs at one point. That’s why I got s puppy and then recently took his sister who is 5. I have had enough death. Mandy is a Maltese and is 14. So far she is healthy and on no medication. I got my first dog as a adult 14 years ago and have been hooked ever since. I can’t be without one. I decided I am just putting my foot down and telling my husband now so he has a month to get used to the idea. We never seem to agree unless I let him wait too long or the dog has a stroke and it’s obvious.

[Teacher Terry]

So last night we went out to dinner and I brought it up. I told him that our closest friends think it’s time and they are all dog lovers. He wants to wait until before we go on vacation so scheduled it for 2/12 and hopefully he will still be able to walk. If not I will move the date u. Ugh!

[catherine]

So last night we went out to dinner and I brought it up. I told him that our closest friends think it’s time and they are all dog lovers. He wants to wait until before we go on vacation so scheduled it for 2/12 and hopefully he will still be able to walk. If not I will move the date u. Ugh!


:( Enjoy the time you have left with him, Terry. I'm so sorry.

[Tea]

I'm so sorry to hear that your dog is not doing well.

I wonder, have you checked his claws, and carefully filed them down extra short? The most common cause of slipping and sliding in big old dogs (often mistaken for an arthritis symptom especially in dogs who do also have some arthritis) is that their claws are not being naturally worn down by as long of walks or as active of play time. Also, older dogs sometimes lack the balance and quick reflexes that allow a young dog to compensate for slightly overgrown claws. Ideally, when a dog is standing on a smooth surface, their claws should not quite touch the floor. If the claw touches it lifts the toe slightly, both interfering with good traction and throwing the whole paw and leg out of proper alignment (which in turn can exacerbate arthritis, just like a person with knee pain wearing bad shoes.) I'm sorry if this seems like pointing out the obvious, but since overgrown claws are much worse for bigger dogs I wasn't sure whether you would have thought of it, being more used to small dogs. I've had four large dogs myself who all lived past the age of fifteen, plus I dog-sit, so I have dealt with a lot of different mobility issues over the years. From your description it just made me think of the claw issue first thing.

Another, less common cause of slipping and sliding is dry skin on the paw pads. If they seem dry you can use coconut oil, hand balm, or Vaseline on them every few days to help him maintain the rubbery textured paw pads that dogs need for firm footing.

It's not that proper foot care will necessarily extend the life of a big dog, but it can sure help them get around more easily and make the time they have left more enjoyable for both them and you.

[Teacher Terry]

Thanks Tea for the advice. He’s had hip dysplaxia for the past 6 years. He’s on 2 different pain medications. For awhile CBD biscuits worked great but they quit working. He’s pacing a lot at night and also snapping at people if startled and that’s a concern with him being so big. My son had a bad habit of hitting him on his back end when he wouldn’t mind and we kept telling him that was a bad way to discipline. My son didn’t realize he had a double ear infection from swimming in a pond. When my son raised his arm Noki jumped up and bit a piece of his lip off. None of that was the dog’s fault but since he bit before and is getting snappy I am worried about my dog sitter getting bit. He even snapped at my husband when he went to pet him while he was laying in bed. All of this makes me think that his pain is not under control despite all the medications.

[Tea]

Yeah, sadly the snapping does sound like it could be from pain. Either that or dementia causing personality changes. Sometimes the best you can do is just to spoil them with extra treats in their last few weeks of life. So sad to have to say goodbye to any pet, at any age.:(

[Teacher Terry]

In 2017 2 good friends of mine and 2 of our dogs died. Then 2018 a young healthy dog got a brain infection from the rabies vaccine and died. I am sick of death. One of our Maltese is 14 and very healthy at the moment. We are making sure he gets lots of car rides, short walks,etc. I always dread putting a dog to sleep but it would be much worse if someone got bit.

[iris lilies]

In 2017 2 good friends of mine and 2 of our dogs died. Then 2018 a young healthy dog got a brain infection from the rabies vaccine and died. I am sick of death. One of our Maltese is 14 and very healthy at the moment. We are making sure he gets lots of car rides, short walks,etc. I always dread putting a dog to sleep but it would be much worse if someone got bit.

Ugh, this makes me feel so bad for the times when Imthought my dogs were being bratty but later discovered they were ill.

The most recent time was with our 11 year old bulldog girl. She was SO CRANKY with our other dog while we were in our weekend house that I was exasperated with her and sent her home with DH. She had to ride on the floor of his truck and she didnt like that. Two days later we found she had a big abcess on her ear, poor baby! That was causing her ill temper. She came through that ok, only to die of a heart attack a few weeks later. Mother guilt.

[Teacher Terry]

Nothing like some mommy guilt to spoil a day. I keep telling myself I would feel worse if he bit someone.

[Teacher Terry]

So as if Noki isn’t enough something is wrong with Mandy. We have a vet appointment on Thursday. She is restless, pacing, excessively licking and making moaning and groaning sounds. She has gotten very vocal and lost 2 lbs. In the meantime I have some pain medication I am giving her. I am worried she has cancer. She is my husband’s heart dog.

[iris lilies]

Oh, this is too bad! Poor little doggy.

[Tybee]

Terry, I am so sorry! I know what you mean about heart dog--I lost mine this past year, and it still hurts a lot.

[Float On]

That is so hard, I'm sorry. My heart dog was a huge 120 lbs. His back basically exploded when they did the x-rays they point out he'd broken his back several times previously and it healed over. He was only 7 when we had to say good-bye. I still miss him the most of all my dogs.

[iris lilies]

Of the nearly 50 dogs through our house since 1993, I have had 3 heart dogs, and my current bulldog is one of them. He is such a momma’s boy.

edited to correct the number of dogs.

[Teacher Terry]

So Mandy has kidney disease. She lost another pound which total loss is a third of her body weight. She can be on a special kidney diet. She has pain so put on gabapentin which is helping. Good thing I have 2 young ones.

[Teacher Terry]

We let Noki go on Tuesday at home. It was double the price but worth it. He laid in his bed and ate treats while getting his shots. We so miss our old bud.

[razz]

So sorry that you are going through all this.

The part, for me, that counterbalances one's sorrow is knowing, reminding and remembering all the love and joy that one has shared with these dear 4-legged members of our family during their time with us.

[catherine]

I am so, so sorry, Terry.
You were able to give her a comforting, peaceful departure.

[rosarugosa]

I'm sorry for your loss Terry. We had our last cat euthanasia at home and it was some of the best money we ever spent. It was the most peaceful send-off we had of the four cats that have departed from our lives. It still isn't easy though.

[Teacher Terry]

All the dogs have brought us so much joy and happiness. Having never had a big dog before it was such a different experience from the little ones. We did things with Noki that the little ones can’t do.

[iris lilies]

So sorry to hear about the end of Noki.

[Teacher Terry]

Noki did some unique cute little things. If you were sitting on the toilet he would walk up and rub your nose with his. He never licked. If he really liked someone he would wrap his body around your legs while leaning into you. He didn’t bark but howled. He would always get between me and a stranger when I took him walking off leash until he checked them out.

[iris lilies]

Big vs little dogs: I like the portability of little dogs, you can pick them up and ferry them around easily. Our best travel companion was our Frenchie because she was well behaved as well as being small. Not a barker. Safe to leave crated in a hotel room.

But with my type of dogs with pushed in faces, here is what I learned : the little dogs are more problematic with temperature control than the big dogs. With our big bulldogs they can ride around in the car in 30 to 75 F degree Weather. We just recently took T. Bear to Iowa and he spent most of thst time in our car. He cannot stay alone in a motel room because he barks.

This temperature would have been too cold for a Frenchie, their trmperature range is more narrow, more like 55 to 75. They cant take warmer weather due to their brachiechepalic heads.

Small dogs with long snouts arent so limited in warmish weather.

[Teacher Terry]

That’s interesting IL. Noki couldn’t be left in the car if it was the least bit warm because his fur was so thick. We just carry our Maltese and all are good in public. They just sit in our laps and don’t make a sound.