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7 replies

Noideaaboutanything · 02/06/2013 17:19

I have a dobermann she is about 10 or 11 years old. We rescued her about 5 years ago. Recently she has been falling over alot and fell down the stairs a few days ago from top to bottom and sort of dragging her feet IYSWIM? Her middle claws on her front feet are almost worn away and bleed every time we walk out. I bought her some doggie boots but she refuses to walk in them. I also think she is a bit senile as she just stops and stares into space all the time. I have been to the vets on about 5 occasions for this and each time I come away with a few tablets and £200 less in my pocket. Now I know I should not be worried about the cost but the fact of the matter is I am. We cannot get insurance for her as she is too old now and has exsisting conditions so no - one wants to touch her. She still gets excited to go for a walk but then gets tired after about 5 minutes and when she sees us come in she gets excited too. I am thinking she is just too old but when do you make that decision to PTS if i go to the vets without having made the decision they will send me away with allsorts again, I know they will. They said I have to make the decision not them.

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idirdog · 02/06/2013 17:29

Bless her she is getting old and needs the love and care that all oldies deserve.

Give her short walks if she wants them, go back to the vet and make sure she is not in pain. What is causing her to fall over and drag her feet. Is it nerve damage or something else? Acupuncture can really help the oldies feel more comfortable and enjoy the time they have left and is pretty cheap.

I would not be considering putting her to sleep but would be working on making things more comfortable for her eg not letting her go on the stairs, walk her on grass to protect her toes.

Vets can also help with her senility so do go back to them and have this conversation with them.

If she is old then the money you are spending will not go on for ever.......

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1MitchellMum · 02/06/2013 18:47

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have a dobe the same age. What tablets has she been given? Any other symptoms? Any coughing or breathlessness?

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Noideaaboutanything · 03/06/2013 17:35

Tramadol and You Move I also buy her glucosamine she is not coughing but she gets tired very easy. I have been looking on the net at wobblers syndrome, has anyone heard of that?

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IUsedtobeMe · 04/06/2013 09:52

Her symptoms sound similar to those of my old girl, but she was a GSD. Her condition was CDRM (sorry can't remember what the initials stand for) but it was her back feet that curled under.

Google it and see if the symptoms seem similar and if it's in Dobes.

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1MitchellMum · 04/06/2013 12:02

My dobe is on Tramadol and Yumove too (but Gabapentin & Onsior too). It does sound a bit Wobbler like TBH. Also bit concerned about DCM (enlarged heart). Dobes very prone to it ... my last girl had it and she used to regulate her exercise accordingly. It does sound like your girlie has quality of life still! Vivitonin is supposed to be a good pick-me-up - haven't used it here but others swear by it. Think your girl's at the age where there could be different things going on (as there are with my boy).

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TataClaire · 06/06/2013 00:32

Our old lab (13.5 yrs old) is on vivitonin 100mg twice a day for senility - it takes more oxygen to the brain. Oral metacam for joint pain once a day and accupunture once a week - he'd stopped stealing of counters as he couldnt reach up, now he can again!!! He is a bit incontinent, and also drags his back feet sometimes, but make sure we keep him exercising and moving, the vet said its a case of use it or lose it. He has good days and bad days, more bad days when its hot, but is still thrilled about mealtimes and his dad coming home from work etc...the balance is still in his favour, when its not, even then it will still be really hard as we'd love him to live forever.

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Noideaaboutanything · 06/06/2013 07:27

Thanks for all your posts, my baby has really perked up in the last few days I think she has read my post and started to get worried! I keep her moving every day but she is in a lot of pain with her claws and feet, I try to get her to grass ASAP but as she cannot get in the car we have to go so far on road. She has eaten one of the dog boots so that has told me exactly what she thinks of them! I have made an appointment at the vets to have the scan thing done to diagnose wobblers, not sure what happens after that, but she is not ready to go yet, she told me so!!