what wouldyou do?

[LeslieRN]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has some guidance for us. We have 3 dogs- the oldest is over 11 years old.

Two years ago she was hit by a car when teens in our neighborhood opened the gate to their run while we were on vacation and had a per sitter watching them. It was at New Years and the kids were shooting off fire works and the dogs just scattered. We lost one of the dogs we had then. Scamp and an another one came back. In addition she was attacked by my MIL's dog - (that dog was taken back to the SPCA) Scamp ended up with a large shoulder wound and other puncture wounds. So I guess you can say that these old wounds are probably become arthritic and causing her pain(?)

More recent, this dog took a piece out of one of our younger dogs. Now the vet tells us there is no pupillary response in either eye- so she is essentially blind- but she can get around the house as long as we don't move anything. But when they were putting down the laminate- they would leave boxes and there were books holding the transfer pieces down and she would walk into them and trip over them - she just didn't see them. She has been walking into walls and us. In fact she walked into me and set me flying -landing on the ceramic tile in the entryway. Ouch.

The icing on the cake is after we replaced our carpet with laminate thru the entire house that she has decided that one of the couches in the living room is where she will lay down. That's fine as long as we are not home or doing something in another room. BUT she doesn't want to move when we want to sit or lay down on the couch. In fact she began growling at hubby when he tried to help her get down.

The growling is the most concerning of anything and I am guessing that is only going to get worse. She is snaping at the dog she took a piece out of and this happens daily. I'm afraid she she might snap at us.

In addition almost daily she walks around the house crying or when she is lying down she just cries. Nothing we do help that.

But at other times she runs around the back yard like a much younger dog.

Any guidance? It is a hard decision to put a dog down- we have had to do it with 3 other dogs but they were very sick or dying when that happened.

THanks

Leslie

[MUPPY]

Hi,

I'm so sorry your going thru that right now. My dogs are getting elderly
and the oldest is now totally deaf and losing vision.( Boxer/female/Duchess )

I have another dog (Boxer/male/Duke) who is 2 years younger,
she doesnt want him anywhere near her and growls a warning at him when he does.
She also sleeps behind my couch on a doggy bed so he can't get near her.

She is on heart medication twice a day and Metacam ( non steroidal anti-inflammatory for dogs/ liquid at night ) for her joint and tendon pain.

She is 14, old for a Boxer, but she is hanging in there.
I have loved her for 11 years ( adopted), she has always been there for me
now it's my turn for her. I cry sometimes knowing it won't be long, but thankful I had her in my life.

Your sweetie may very well be in a lot of pain, they have no other way to let you know than to growl :
( Don't touch me or make me move, I'm comfortable on this couch!!!!!)

She may feel safe there away from your other dogs also.

Maybe a nice squishy bed she can sprawl out on just for her.
Her scent will get on it and at floor level she can find it easily.

That laminate floor is probably cold and murder on her bones and muscles.
( picture laying on the floor at 70 or 80!)

Also, if she has her pain relieved by medication, she may be able to relax
enough to get accustomed to her failing vision.

She is probably feeling very vulnerable around the other dogs too, she definitely did not forget being attacked by another dog... she never will.

Her going after the younger dog was self preservation and a warning to that dog to stay away!!!!

I'd try the medication and try to keep the other dog /dogs away from her,
she's a senior citizen and needs your protection.

The time will come soon enough when you will need to make that final
decision, give the old lady a break from the other dog, and when you take her outside have it be just you and her.

Good luck Hon,
MUPPy ( Cheryl )

[Cry Tears]

Muppy gave very good advice.
I doubt I can top such good advice....But can't hurt adding my input.
I watch that show "Dog Whisperer" with Ceaser Malone.
You can do a Google search for his programs and books. He's awesome.

I love his shows...I've learned so much. He recently showed how to put your dog on a tread mill....this gives your dog a good walk without your having to go along...good idea!
You slowly introduce your dog to the treadmill while its off...then do this several times....then turn it on very slow! Then work up.

In one of the shows it featured a dog who refused to get off this couples bed and would growel at them when they tried. They had to just let the dog sleep between them...if the husband made a move towards his wife he'd get snarled at....if they wanted to cuddle....it was done on the floor!
OK....I could write something off color here...but won't... let your imaginations run!

He did some "work" with them and soon had this dog stop this worrisome behaviour.
It was a matter of control....who is the pack leader?
Your dog is intimidating you and is the pack leader in your home....this is for sure!
She lets you know this by groweling at you.....shows you who's in charge, vocally.
EVEN IF ITS FROM PAIN....she still is showing who's in charge! If you were the pack leader she would never growel at you.

Like Muppy suggested....she may be in pain and is not wanting to move....I dont blame her!
But still should be complying with your commands. This is scary if she is biting others.
Costco has those huge dog beds...filled with fluff and cedar chips. They are gorgeous only for $20....cant beat that price!
Its huge, would fit the entire family on it! If cost is a concern...find some blankets, thrift store sleeping bags? Fold the bag in half for a wonderful bed....toss in trash when stinky~creepy....get another one for cheepy!

Thats where I'd begin....giving her her very own bed....would entice her by warming it up with a heating pad...but don't leave it on....heats not good for a dog...could trigger immune problems.

There are very good vets who can work with the pain. Not all vets are into this or very knowledgable.
My husbands best freind Dr Jim Simpson, is a vet....he does accupuncture, manipulations and other western medicine procedures on animals.
He's helped my dog many times....she's getting older now. Lots of people swear by his work.
It was amazing to see her back problems disappear after just a few manipulations on her back.
It's very spendy though...but worth it.
If you are anywhere near Portland....he's at the End of the Oregon Trail! If not.....and if this is something you would like to consider having done to your doggie...I can ask him if he knows of a vet in your area....
He travels and gives seminars, teaching others his techniques.

I know how heartbreaking the thought of losing your life long freind.
It took a long time before we could make this decision with ours. But there comes a time when their suffering is too much and we must unselfishly let them go.
But it doesn't sound like its time yet for your gal....if she's got some spunky times running out like a puppy.
The senior dogs often get thyroid problems that can trigger pain syndromes in dogs....has this been tested?
Blessings to you and your furbabies, Cheryl

[lashawnda]

I am so sorry for the hurt you must be going through i know that dogs become such a part of the family and its very hard to watch them suffer and wonder what to do.

we had a wonderful poodle (Thunder) who sounds allot like scamp as he got older his hips and joints were really artheritic he was blind and took siezures and eventually had kidney problems.

about the growling and snapping, you said it started when your husband tried to help him off the couch, it was really painful for thunder to be picked up and he would do the same thing. There joints are just hurting to much to be picked up so they get scared as well and snap. when you pet her if some areas seem to cause pain it might help to just not touch her anywhere in the vicinity. thats what we did for thunder so he didnt have to be scared we were going to hurt him. instead of the couch maybe you can make him a special spot somewhere in that room on the floor so he doesnt have to jump up, something really soft with an old unwashed blanket in it (they feel comforted by your smell)

have you taken scamp to the vet since the whineing and crying started? because its possible there could be something you could do for him or get him extra help there might be something underlying we cant see.

i know this is such a hard hard decision but in the end we have to put aside our self and let there pain stop i am soo sorry i know when we decided to end thunders pain it was the hardest thing to do. i hope so much that you can find a solution to help scamp and she will have many more doggy days but if not i have to tell you my one regret was staying in the room after i said goodbye it was one of the most profoundly sad moments in my life and i dont suggest it.

lots of love

[Wayleaf]

I think you should talk to the vet about this situation and how much pain your dog may be in. I imagine being blind, in pain and nervous about what is being done to her, makes her snap in fear. But if she's in alot of pain then something needs to be done; either with medication or euthansia.
good luck, m

[McstaRRy**]

I just wanted to let you know your not alone.I would also have a very hard time making a decision like this!
Just wanted to let you know how sorry i am that your having to go thru this ..

[Buttons2]

Hi, I also want to let you know you are not alone. You've been given some good suggestions, I can't really think of anything to add. Perhaps the vet can make the decision for you or at least give definite advice on what to do.

Everyone with dogs in their lives has to face the hard facts at some point....and it's too bad they can't tell you where it hurts!

Soft comfy bed on the floor,special alone time with mom,these are the best ideas I can come up with. Pain meds & massage in areas doggie enjoys....

Good luck!