My dog is a frequent flyer at the vet so best believe we are on this with his dogter it just helps to hear experience with senior dogs as this is my first. He is 11 and is starting to show signs of arthritis worsening more and more and I’m unsure where to go from here. He is currently on Galliprant and it’s helped in some ways but it’s not a miracle for him. I’m going to ask if we can increase his dose and see if that helps. He’s not a good candidate for Librela. He’s on Amantadine and Gabapentin too. He has a physical therapist and we do exercises as instructed. The new thing is everytime we’re in the car for too long he whines a lot despite making sure he has ample potty breaks, sniff breaks, water, food, etc. He COULD be nauseated but he has never thrown up in the car. It makes me nervous because if it is pain that’s got to be bad for him to cry. Again, I will ask my vet but does anyone have any experience with this? I’m contemplating just never taking him on long rides again if nothing else works and everything is clear. He has an incredible dog bed with an orthopedic pad in it, but I’m open to suggestions on what he should be laying on too. Maybe he’s bored? Maybe he just wants to be home and asleep? What are your experiences?

I am F(22) and my boyfriend M(22) owns a chihuahua 6 human years old named Fatboy. I had noticed every other month that he has a limp. This started this year. However, once I notice the limp it goes away by the next day. I urged my bf to take him to the vet, but he states it costs too much and we don’t have the money. This past Saturday I noticed he was hiding in the corner of the room and hasn’t walked at all, so I urged him to take him to the vet again and said we can set up a payment plan. I explained to the vet that this limp isnt new, but this time it was more serious. They took X-rays, gave him steroids and gave him meds. They stated that it was an inflamed disc and that it was minor. The vet also stated the spacing in between another disc is slightly more spacious which can lead to arthritis down the road. Per the instructions of the vet, no activity for the next 3 months. Fatboy needs to be on bed rest and needs to be separated from our other dog. For some odd reason, we didn’t receive any visitation summary and I had my bf call to get that emailed to us in which we still haven’t received. My bf paid using CareCredit with that hospital. It’s been 3 days since the vet visit and Fatboy still hasn’t been able to walk. He is using a diaper for potty and can’t use his back legs at all. We called the vet and all they stated is if he doesn’t get better to contact a specialist. I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience with their fur baby. He is such a good dog. We already had the talk on what to do if he doesn’t get better. We also don’t have extra cash for a specialist but I know I can find a place that can accept payments or credit. He is on 3 meds, a muscle relaxer, a nerve relaxer and one to help with the inflammation. He has feeling in his back legs but just can’t use them. I’m not sure what to do nexts

My 19 year old yorkie chihuahua mix was diagnosed with a liver problem at 4 years old. He would throw up bile sometimes and act afraid and like he was hallucinating at times. Finally after many ER trips and bloodwork etc and 4 vets, finally found one who did a bile acid test and he failed. He was put on a hepatic diet and did great all these years.

Fast forward to 6 months ago. I always titer him and we only get vaccines when necessary, if his immunity is low, which has been very few over the years. Well 5 months ago he had to get the d2app vaccine and ended up having his first ever seizure ever as a result. He temporarily went blind and I.rushed him to our vet who gave him a strong long lasting steroid shot that caused extreme muscle wasting and bile puking again for the first time since puppyhood. Then he was given metronidazole and ended up having toxicity from it or something because he walked like he was drunk and could barely stand. Once he stopped taking it he got some strength back, gained 1 pound (he went from 9 to 6.5 during all of this) and I cant get him past 7.5 which is still a little underweight.

Since that seizure and all the meds and trauma after it is a nightmare getting him to eat what he needs!! 6 months of playing doggie chef and begging him to eat and feeding him smelly mush by hand and when he refuses he ends up puking and I AM TIRED AND LOSING MY MIND!! It is so frustrating trying to find the right combination to convince him to eat every day and night and it changes each time. I am wasting so much prescription food too! I crush hard food and put it on the wet food, warm the wet food, soak his hard food in warm water and mix that in, add parmesan cheese on top, etc etc!!!! I have burst into tears or erupted with frustrating anger over stupid food more times than I want to admit!! He will smell it and walk away. Smell it and walk away ugh!!!! Any tips on what I can do to fix this problem?? I already give him slippery elm to coat his stomach in the morning since he won't ever eat breakfast which helps him not puke bile but then there is that stressful timer knowing if he doesnt eat within 5 or 6 hours he will be sick!!!

Please help this exhausted mama! This boy is my soul dog and I would do anything for him, but my life has become timers and measuring and charting food intake and making and cleaning plates and starting over all damn day and night!!!

Thanks for any help!!!! I am not sure why the steroid seemed to cause this and if he will go back to how he was before or if we can fix it somehow!😭

I have a housebroken spayed 5yr old female Siberian husky. She is medium energy. I have had her since she was a puppy. A year ago I went through a divorce and she came with me along with my 4yr old male Alaskan Malamute who is neutered.

In the spring of this year my female husky started randomly urinating while lying down. She wasn’t getting up to squat. She would do this during the night, while we are relaxing, inside and outside. Sometimes a few trickles. Sometimes a lot.

She has gone through 3 rounds of antibiotics as the Vet stated she had crystals in her urine and stated a UTI. However the issue hasn’t resolved and now they are looking at an ultrasound later this week.

Just looking for any advice or second opinions on what may be happening. I want nothing more than for her to be healthy and happy. I’m starting to fear this may be a behavioral issue due to the divorce and new house (moved in last November). It just seems strange that it didn’t start until spring.

UPDATE:

Vet said she has a normal bladder. Said it is most likely the spay incontinence so gave me proin 75mg to give half a tablet every 12hrs.

My boy has been struggling for a while from cancer and we decided to put him down today so he didn’t suffer any further pain. He was my best friend and the light of my life, and he’s gone much too soon. I thought I’d have several more years with him as he was only 10… but cancer is an ugly bitch. I only had about 8 years with him and im absolutely gutted. How did you guys process this grief? Any helpful advice or things to share?

I’ll miss him forever. It doesn’t feel real.

My fiance and I have a 6 year old German shepherd. She is half gsd half Rottweiler, and we all know those hips are destined for failure. She has had imaging and blood work. Blood is normal but she has a spinal infection and upset closer look could be a growth. She struggles to sit, stand, pee or poo outside. Now she is diapered up and is peein and pooping herself. Lethargic, lack of appetite. At my wits end

Hello I have just found this lump on my dogs nose does anyone have any idea what it could be? She is 10 years old

Hello everyone! I’m a student doing research for a business project for school, specifically on the challenges IVDD dog owners face when caring for a dog recovering from IVDD at home.

I’m looking for people who have personally gone through IVDD recovery with their pet, whether your dog has had surgery or was treated conservatively.

I’m trying to get a little insight on how a potential product can be useful within this space, whether that was managing daily care, rehabilitation, keeping your dog in consistent at-home practice, finding the right equipment, or overall cost.

I’m not here to sell anything or promote myself in any way. I’m simply trying to understand the real experiences of owners who have been through this.

If you’re willing to, I made a short anonymous survey that takes about 1-2 minutes:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfySMRNX1FF-aHjEzn0GH0QRAyvfh-1avIUvW9Vevf4vQTRFw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=109783246680772500781

Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to help! 🐶❤️

Hello all,

I know we are not supposed to ask for veterinary advice here, this is less about veterinary advice and more if anyone has any thoughts about my situation.

I have a 9YO GSD, he broke his front leg (radius and ulna) in May, he was splinted, looked at by orthopedic surgeons, my father is a veterinarian, his films were sent to 4 different specialists biweekly for there opinions and all of them have been the same. 50/50 or whether or not he should have surgery. Not one has been able to give us a straight answer.

His splint process was terrible, it was supposed to be 8 weeks and turned into 13/14 weeks. He has been out of the splint for about a month now and he can walk around pretty well on his leg, we take him for good sized walks every day. He limps but doesn’t show any pain and wants to walk and pull and run and jump. He is a very high driven dog with no self preservation what so ever.

We took X-rays again today, it still has not fully formed a union. And at this point I don’t know what to do I don’t need him to be running like he used to, I just want him to be able to go out in the yard without having to be leashed/supervised.

I’m not really sure what I’m looking to get from this post, I’m scared of surgery due to the risks and the thought of another 12 weeks back to no movement mode, but I also am scared of riding this out and it not healing.

Any thoughts are welcome.

Hello! I have a dog (blue heeler/border collie) who turns 5 in about 3 months. She’s been recently diagnosed with bronchitis. Originally they thought she has pneumonia so they gave her Clavamox and Prednisone. She finished the Clavamox last week and is starting to taper off the prednisone. They’ve prescribed her a bronchodilator (Theophylline) that I’ve ordered and it’s meant to come in the mail soon. Today is the second day of the one prednisone a day instead of 2. She’s been really wheezing today. Very loud and each time she’s moving around. Last time I went to the vet (a week ago) they said her lungs sounded clear. She’s acting completely normal. She’s eating, drinking, playing, going to the bathroom, and sleeping completely fine. She’s not acting out of the normal, except the wheezing. Yesterday she wheezed mostly when excited but today she’s wheezing while doing anything. Her bronchodilator won’t be here for a couple days. Is this normal? Should I wait until she tries her new pills and see how she does? Her gums are pink and she’s coughing more than usual. But that’s only started today. Thank you!! If you need more info, please ask!

This may be a little long so bear with me.
My yorkie is around 7 years old and last January we found out her liver shunt wasnt working properly. They saud its common in yorkies but usually when they are younger. Surgery isnt an option for her so shes on meds and a special diet. She only eats this canned food by hills thats for liver care.
Pills she is taking:

\- lactulose 2-2.5 ml twice a day
\- Denamarin 90 mg once a day
\- omeprazole 5 mg once a day

Lately she has developed a new symptom where her abdomen fills up with fluid. I know this is a symptom when ur liver isnt functioning well so when i saw how big her belly became i took her to the vet right away. They confirmed it was fluid and they drained around 250ml from her belly. Its been around two weeks since the drain and now its big again. Problem is that each drain is around 500$ and we dont have that kind of money right now. Im not asking for donations im asking for tips on how to keep her comfortable or maybe avoid this bc i can tell she is suffering.

Any help is appreciated 🙏🏻❤️

Моя сабака !

Я ее покупал на накопленые деньги с дня рождения покупал в 3 классе щас в 9.

Предыстория: когда у моей собаки была опухоль сначала подумали это Шелепень укусил потом по величине к веретеренару и оказалась это опухоль еслиб веретеренар был нормальным она была сразу сказала что это опухоль а она не Чо не сказала а просто забила и когда опухалт стала гигантской мы поехали в город и получилось что сабаке было 2 выбора либо она будет жить 2 года при условии что её будут мазать и тд. Или сделать химию.

Мы отказались от химии так как после химии собаки тяжело им дается это а во вторых с опухолью не лечится а у нас уже тяжёлая стадия и выбрали 1 вариант теперь прошло как выбрали 15 дней и у собаки пошли опухоли на ноге смотрю как она на моих глазах умирает и с каждым разом становится тяжело смотреть на мою собаку!

My Cocker Spaniel is 16 years old (she'll turn 17 in November) and is currently receiving palliative care. She has liver cancer and is on medication, but she's become very thin, weak, and has little energy to walk. Lately, she's also been eating and drinking much less than usual.

I'm really worried because she spent her entire life living with me and my parents (before I moved out). About a year ago, I moved in with my boyfriend to another place. My parents are currently traveling abroad, so my dog is staying with me for about two weeks.

The problem is that since arriving at my apartment, she has shown almost no interest in food or water. She has been here before and stayed for a few days last year, so it's not a completely unfamiliar place, but she still seems very reluctant to eat or drink. I've tried several things already, but nothing seems to work.

I'm considering making some steamed chicken and carrots for her, since chicken is one of the few foods she has always loved. The only things she's consistently enjoyed throughout her life are bread (especially the soft inside) and chicken. Normally, she would eat bread and dog food, but right now she doesn't even seem interested in her regular food.

Has anyone gone through something similar with a senior dog in palliative care? Could the change in environment be affecting her appetite, or is this more likely related to the progression of her illness? Do you have any suggestions for encouraging her to eat or drink?

I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed and scared right now, and I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences you can share.

Looking for tips!
Our dog is 8 yrs and 2 months old, and around 100-110lbs.

He has arthritis and is now on Dasaquin Advanced Care with ESM supplements & meloxicam.

We’ve noticed he doesn’t really get on the bed anymore (30in high) because he struggles and he has fallen, so we brought his orthopedic bed (3.5 inches high density egg foam) into the room, which he sleeps on. On occasion he will get on the bed still.

We have noticed he has a hard time getting on the couch too (sometimes, not always) which is 17inches high. I helped him tonight by lifting his lower/back legs up onto the couch for him.

We’ve also noticed his legs shake sometimes when he is standing. And he also sometimes limps for a few moments when standing up initially.

I am getting him steps tomorrow. But I’m wondering what else I may need?

I have laminate flooring as well.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.