My dog is getting old....

[Sugarlump]

My dog is getting old and I am afraid of losing him. He is 11, 12 in March. A Black labrador with big sad eyes called Murphy.
He has been with me through thick and thin, every step of my kidney failure/dialysis/failed transplants etc Always there to comfort me.
I will be bereft.
Just lately, he seems to be getting old. Stiffer. Slower. A bit mopey. A bit clingy and confused too.
He'll break my heart.
 

[MaryD]

 

It is always heartbreaking!  Remember all the happy times.

[Poppylicious]

Awww, Sugar.  I can't send you anything but *huggles* (and you're more than welcome to pass them on to Murphy too).

 

[Riki]

give him lots of lovins now while you can, and when he does go, just try to remember that you gave him a great life.. I'm sure he's a happy puppy when he's with you, even if he doesn't quite feel like a puppy anymore

[MomoMcSleepy]

When our friend's dog got cancer, we threw a goodbye party for him and let him eat all the junk he liked.  He was on painkillers and we had to carry him around, but loved all the attention, empanadas, and his bowl filled with fruit loops and milk bones!  We all loved him very much, he was like a community dog, almost.  It was still very sad, but he deserved a proper send off.  He was suffering and had to be put to sleep....but at least he felt very loved.  Also his owner staed in the room with him the whole time at the end. He was too sick to be scared, poor guy .  Just love on your baby, and,  when the light goes out of his eyes, and the days are more misery and pain than hapiness and comfort, it's time  .  I dragged out my poor kitty's death (from kidney disease....something i've now experienced) and I still can't quite get over the fact that she died in my arms after suffering terribly, when i had the power to keep her from feeling that way.  she was my rock, too, like your Murphy.  It's so hard, but they rely on us to help them.

I'm so sorry that you two are going through this.  It is never easy at any point.  Again, just love on him and use palliative care when treatment is unavailable.  Let him eat what he likes, lay where he likes.  Spoil him a bit.  And try to prepare yourself, too.  I don't want to meet the person who says "it's just an animal," we all know how you're hurting and there are people to talk to here. 

Big squeezes, sweetie.  Sorry if my reply was a bummer .

[galvo]

A rotten time, isn't it? I, like most of us here, have been through this, and it ain't easy. I can so relate to Momo's sad tale of keeping a kidney diseased puss too long because of my own selfishness in not letting her go. You and he will know when the time is right, and, I'm sure you'll do  the right thing. Give him a pat from me.

[Sugarlump]

I treated him to the poodle parlour this week. For some reason he loves going there to get his nails trimmed.
But this time he had a bath and briush and little trim up as well as his nails done, he enjoyed that. And smells lovely too!!!

He has started to have what I can only describe as panic attacks of late. he has cataracts in both eyes so his vision is reduced but he can still find balls and treats,
if he hears a sudden noise. he will start to shake and pant and try and hide behind me, or under a table. And often it's noises he has heard regularly (the washing machine or the ice maker or a squeaky door!)
Difficult to counteract that, as talking and patting doesn't help 

[MomoMcSleepy]

Aw,  what a nice spa day!  I know that when an animal has a sensory deficit life takes them by surprise.  If he has cataracts, he may have some heating loss as well.  It's discombobulating to suddenly hear something that's hard for you t see, but also, if his hearing is going south a bit, maybe familiar sounds don't sound the same anymore.  Maybe your vet could suggest something to calm him or get him used to it?  I've thought at flesh that my oldest Kitty was partially deaf because because she is so jumpy and nervous, but in her cause she seems to just be a bit off mentally. 

So nice to pamper him at the parlour!  It's a nice thing to imagine.

[Sugarlump]

Being a labrador, he's always liked swimming but this time of the year it's too cold for his joints.
But a warm bath is a good substitute...
He is laying on the sofa next to me, snoring gently, after fresh roasted chicken for his dinner. 

[Sugarlump]

Sadly, the panic attacks are getting worse, more frequent and lasting longer, making him very stressed. Almost like seizures in a way.
I am taking him to Vets this morning at 11.15am to see what they think.
(Fingers crossed)

[galvo]

Best wishes!

[Sugarlump]

The Vet has given me some very expensive tablets for doggie dementia symptoms that apperntly increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and makes it work better, as well as the heart and the lungs
so will try them for a month.
Did wonder if I should take em myself!!!! 

[UkrainianTracksuit]

I hope the tablets work well with your beloved doggie.     I sent him best wishes and hugs.  Lots of hoping he has much time to enjoy with you.    

I have an elderly chinchilla with nervous system damage from a bad infection.  He's on anti-seizure/panic attack medication.  He's down from having fits every day to maybe one a week.  Still distressing to watch him so panicked though as you know well!

[Simon Dog]

My father in law is getting old, so my wife brings him over to our house frequently for visits.

My dog is getting old, so I frequently carry him up to the people bed where he really likes to sleep (but is not able to climb into on his own).

I just noticed the parallel between the two actions.

Take care of your old one and you won't regret it.

[Sugarlump]

Although he has only been on these tablets a week and a half we have noticed a slight improvement in Murphy.
He seems calmer and he has only had one panic attack this week. 
(Hope he survives trick or treating and Bonfire night without too much stress)

[UkrainianTracksuit]

That's great news!  It's so nice that the tablets are working.   

[galvo]

Yeah! Good news!

[Sugarlump]

Thanks 
He definitely doesn't like the washing machine anymore, it spooks him out particularly when it spins!!!!
So I am going to give up washing anything   
Doggy Earmuffs maybe?

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Since you're a horse aware person, maybe you can get him some of those pom-pom horse ear plugs?    He'll be blissfully unaware and you can do your washing.  (Sorry!)  Closest thing I could think of to doggie ear muffs!

[Sugarlump]

I did consider that but unfortunately horses ears stick up whereas Labrador ears flop down so not easy to apply any kind of ear protector!!!

[Sugarlump]

It's Bonfire Night tonight (Guy Fawkes) so there are fireworks going off all over the place.
Poor Murphy is not a happy doggy at all , if he could get any closer he would.
I have closed the curtains and we have Nigella on the television... to no avail.
 

[cariad]

(((((Murphy))))
And some for your distraught momma (((((Sugarlump))))

[Sugarlump]

Thanks 
He has finally gone to sleep in his bed (All quiet outside and raining heavily)
Bedtime methiinks ....

[renalwife]

I was just reading this.  And wonder how Murphy is getting along? 

Our terrier, Shotzie, had dementia, had some meds which helped a little.  He also got arthritis which 1/2 baby aspirin helped a bit.  But we had to put him to sleep.  And it breaks my heart to even think about that.  But he was a good dog and we loved him very much.  He traveled with us all the time:  camped in Death Valley, CA, swam in the Atlantic ocean and the Pacific Ocean and in San Diego Bay.  And in the end, we must do what is best for our  pets, and not avoid our responsibilities.  Shotzie was 13 years old.
We got him when he was only 8 weeks old.

[Sugarlump]

I know the feeling... my youngest son picked him out of a litter at 8 weeks, as a 10th birthday present, when he was having a hard time at school.
He has been part of our family since. None of my children can imagine life without him.
The tablets haven't made any overall difference. He is very nervous/stressed at any noise. Still has panic attacks.
Difficult to calm him during one.
I am unsure how to proceed. If we take him back to the vets, it will only be more medication to try... I really don't know what is the best move now.

My youngest son took him to work today (7am-1pm) he works on a farm which gave him a change of scenery, chance to run around, new smells etc. He seemed
to really enjoy that but coming home, as soon as he heard the ice maker, he was a shaking jelly again.
So difficult to know what would help him. He has a companion dog. He has other places to hide out in ....