Support thread for parents of senior dogs

[Billslills]

Waaah, surely I can't be the only parent of a senior dog who is struggling with the almost daily anxiety of seeing my little guy getting old?!

I feel like I am at the vet every other week. I know it isn't that frequent, but it feels like it sometimes, and I feel guilty that he keeps getting prodded and poked and put onto different medications.

This is my first ever dog, who is all mine, and he is my whole world. It is so hard. Tell me I am not alone! Does anyone have any tips to stop worrying so much?

Im so sorry your dog is frequently unwell. How old is he and what breed? I have an 11 yr old miniature poodle who is doing pretty well (touch wood) at the moment a little blip a month or so ago and now he's back to normal, most people are stunned if I say he's 11. I do look at him every day and marvel at how well he looks but at the back of my mind I am also very conscious that he is an older dog and that he will not live forever. He is not my first dog my other dogs seem to have bounced through life and then died fairly suddenly which in my mind is perhaps easier. That last one exceeded the life expectancy for the breed didn't really seem to be even slightly slowing down became ill and was quietly PTS a week later. Ive always had two dogs usually a younger one and an older one and I think it makes the thought of loosing one less painful as they are such a huge part of our lives I would hate to be dogless.

He’s 12 and a terrier mix. He’s a rescue and there’s plenty of signs he didn’t have a good start to life. He’s very happy in himself regardless of these random health issues. I’m the weak one!

I agree, it must be so tough for those who have to unexpectedly say good bye when they’re far too young. Fingers crossed it’s a 6 month blip 😂 and he’ll be okay for a little while after this one. None of his issues have been related, just unfortunate for the anxious parent.

Good job with yours for being so healthy for their age! 😊

My cocker spaniel is 10 in a few weeks, and he's riddled with arthritis. We had to go to the vet on Monday as he's struggling, and doesn't do well on Metacam so he's on paracetamol. He did well 6 months ago on a course of Cartrophen so they're repeating that and have recommended he has one monthly from now on.

He's a very special dog - I rescued him when he was 17 weeks and we've had a really intense connection. We got another dog when he was 6, and they're the best of friends but he's definately "my" dog and he just ignores everyone else in the family...!! I've recently lost my Dad, and my dog has been my comfort since as he just seems to know that I'm sad. I can't bear the thought that he's getting older and in pain.. and I'm praying that we get another reprieve at the end of this treatment too.

I'll join - I have an almost 17 year old jrt, who has a touch of dementia and has just started heart tablets.

Also my staffy x who is at least 13, has just gone onto librela for his arthritis. Metacam wasn't cutting it anymore.

The jrt looks so old recently. The staffy x has been aging for a few years. His face is no longer brindle and is grey like an old man.

I do wish you'd use the term 'owner'

@Badger1970 has your vet suggested a Librella injection for the arthritis? I have a 12 year old labrador who has arthritis and the Metacam was helping but his liver and kidneys aren't fully functioning so they wanted him off it and suggested the Librella instead. It's been incredible. He was almost lame and within 48 hours was chasing rabbits again. It's wearing off again, I think, after nearly 3 months, so I'm taking him back next week for another one.

They did mention it, but were reluctant as they've had supply issues. If the cartrophen doesn't work this time I will ask though.

May I join? My 12 year old lab has just accelerated into old age. He has Librella and we take him for physio ( and meet lots of other Labs there) . He seems happy, but I am so very conscious that I don’t have another 12 years with him ( 2 will be a stretch)
He has seem me through so much, and I just want to ensure he has the best and happiest life I can give him.

Hi can I join

My lab cross is heading towards 9 and now has arthritis .
We are considering trying Librella as well
Vet said is hard to predict tome span as his mum was part newfie so adding that has part giant breed aware the clock is running down ans breaking heart that is slowing

Hi everyone! Thanks for joining. My dog has arthritis too. He takes Meloxicam daily. I have also recently added a product called 4cyte (doesn't require a prescription). I really think I can see a difference since he has started taking it and I know other owners feel the same. I am in Australia so our products may have different names?

My dogs health issues all started mid 2022. The whole experience has made me lost a lot of trust in vets. It has certainly been an eye-opener!
.

I feel like our stories are somewhat similar. I got a call from the local rescue asking if I could come and collect a dog for foster and the rest is history. It was about a week after my dad was diagnosed with advanced cancer. I think a lot of rescue dogs really do pick their human and have a connection with them that can't be explained. I still remember the moment when he stared at me so longingly and I knew he had to stay. Best thing we've ever failed at! :-)

Also, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, and that your dog is struggling with his arthritis. Pets are so comforting.

I know the cold really affects my dog - obviously it is easier to manage being in Australia, but in winter, we will take him out later to give him and outside a chance to warm up a little.

This is a great thread. My bichon is 12 and a half, still doing ok, had a dental in March which I was worried about.
I'd be interested in any advice about supplements for aging issues.

I really don't know what id do without him, he was five when I got him, he was my mums dog and was totally crazy at the time, but I couldn't let him go to strangers after she died. He's settled into the best friend I could wish for,

My little poppet is 7 in September but has had cushings for three years. She came from Romania so had a tough start and it’s continued on. I get her everything she needs but have found it sad that my first dog hasn’t been able to live life to the full as such, she’s aging quickly.

My beautiful boy has just turned 16. He's losing his sight and gets easily confused these days. We stick to a routine and familiar walkies to help him as much as possible.

He still has a spring in his step and loves his food, but is noticeably slowing down and gets very stressed by washing/grooming or if one of us isn't in the same room.

I know he's had a great innings and we've been so lucky to have him this long, but I'm going to be utterly devastated when the inevitable time comes. He's my baby and the most wonderful dog ever

Hi All! It’s not a very active thread but welcome. Since my last post we have had our first bout of pancreatitis but he’s recovered now and seems to be feeling great.

I must admit, one thing I’m enjoying about him getting older is he sleeps much deeper now. It’s nice to see him so relaxed and peaceful.

@LaylaLjungberg I am Sorry to hear your girl has cushings so young. At least she is none the wiser and so loved. A recent ultrasound has recommend we test our boy for cushings but I’m reluctant. My gut says to leave him alone. He has no symptoms of it and I don’t think giving him more drugs will be helpful for his overall health.

This popped up in my threads.

Since my last post I sadly lost my little jrt. Just before his 17th birthday. We miss the little terror so very much.

My Staffy x is still going strong though. Just celebrated his 12th gotcha day - so he's at least 13.

Librela seems to be doing the trick for him. Long may it continue.

Can I join please.

I’ve got a 12 year old cocker spaniel. He’s pretty much deaf now and his eyesight isn’t great but he’s such a loving, gentle old chap.

He’s been on Metacam for over a year for his arthritis but it’s stopped working and is causing some stomach issues so we’ve had to stop it. He had his first librella injection 3 weeks ago but he’s still in pain and off his food a little. Back at the vets on Thursday for a review.

I’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old! He’s my baby.

What a fantastic age he got to, you must miss him terribly.

It seems to happen so quickly, one minute they are bounding around middle aged then they start to look like little old men.

I've got a 13 yo Cairn, diabetic, 100% blind, 90% deaf, also prone to pancreatitis.

He's really slowed down now, it makes me sad but he is still happy, loved a walk although it's very sedate now he can't see anything but he will still have a little trot when we are somewhere flat with no obstacles, obviously on lead.

I'm actually considering getting a buggy for him for when we go to new / busy places.

@Chesneyhawkes1 sorry for your loss

@Billslills glad you are over the pancreatitis. Can I ask what you feed?

@cocksstrideintheevening thank you 😊

@userxx you are so right. He was fine, until he wasn't.

Was off his food for a few days so took him to the vet on the Friday and he had heart failure. Quite advanced but he'd shown no indication of it.

We did try some new medication but unfortunately he collapsed the next day and I took him back to be put to sleep. He look so frail and tired within 24 hours. He'd had enough.

But I have videos of him the week before wagging his tail and running round the kitchen.

I guess it's better than a long, drawn out illness though.

@Chesneyhawkes1 Im sorry for your loss. Sending love your way.

@cocksstrideintheevening my 12 year old may have some cairn in him.

A year ago we incidentally discovered he has a gallbladder moucele so he has been on a low fat diet. He is meant to have food with less than 7% fat.

I feed him ‘Royal Canin gastrointestinal low fat’.

The pancreatitis made me accept that we were possibly still giving him too many snacks and treats so we are now very strict and ALL food and snacks are as low fat as possible.

What do you feed yours?

Since we hit the senior years I have realised how important it is to have a vet you trust. I’ve come across some shockers but now know who to see and to trust my gut.

I have Bella a 13yr old (nearer 14) Lhasa Apso, she is still as fit as a fiddle just greying and lost a few teeth. No arthritis yet, happily walks three miles or so each morning. Had a spell of crack of dawn wake ups but seems to have resolved by leaving an item of worn clothing near her bed before I go up to bed. I do worry about losing her quite often though.

Hi, our boy is 11 and a mix of Collie, GSD and probably a few others.

He was diagnosed with diabetes in Dec 2021 which came as a shock as he wasn’t overweight, got plenty of exercise and wasn’t overfed treats.

In January 2022 he developed cataracts and that really knocked him around, he couldn’t adapt to not being able to see. He lost his love of life and we wondered on more that one occasion if we were being kind to him.

However, we looked into cataract surgery, our vet referred him to a specialist and he had the surgery in April 2022. His insurance luckily had just renewed for the year and we maxed it out to get that done and it was honestly the best thing we’ve done, it gave him his life back.

He has insulin injections twice daily and two lots of eye drops morning and night.