We have had a old friend come our way. She's 16-17 years old. She's amazing. She ask to go out, still able move about, altho slower. I feel some tumor like growths on her in hips and back of her shoulder. She is kept away fom the other dogs I feel a dog this age is frail. But she's warm, fed and well loved. She's allowed in the fence area many times a day by herself for exersice basically till you feels she's had enough. I have had some experience with older dogs but i'm no expert. I would like to take her to the vet for a check-up. I can't see doing any thing dramatic for her because of her age. Our goal is to as keep her comfortable as possible for her remaing time with us.
I'm open to any ideas that would make her comfortable, any vacc etc.that are not suggestted for a older dog. Any basic care that is in her best interest.
Answers:
Your dog sounds like she's very well cared for. If you take her to the vet for a check-up, he'll likely suggest a blood test they give older dogs that lets you know of any kinds of problems she's having such as with her kidney or liver. If you catch them early, you can treat them. At her age and if she seems fine, you may not want to do that.
I had a dog who at age 11 got auto immune disease from getting his annual shots. I did a lot of research at that time and found that vets were saying that older dogs should not get any more shots - they've built up enough immunity in their lifetimes that they don't need more. After seeing how sick my dog was from auto immune, I no longer give shots to my older dogs at all - you might want to get your vet's opinion on that, though.
As for basic care, it seems like you're doing it. Older dogs feel the cold more, you don't say what kind of dog she is, but if smooth coated, she may like to have a blanket to cover her at night. You don't want to be changing her diet, but you could give her just a few treats like boiled chicken, 1% cottage cheese, fat free, sugar free yogurt to aid in digestion. She's probably most happy when she can just sit with you - that's what will make her most happy. Hope you have her for several more years! The oldest dog I knew was a 23 year old afghan hound - he was amazing!
My best friend, CJ, lived to be 17 or 18. He was an awesome dog. We made a huge difference in his well being and activity level by putting him on Glucosamine. You can get daily treats with it or buy senior food with it as we did. I noticed a dramatic difference in his activity level and general well being after one 40 pound bag of food.
The best thing is to love her very very much.
I really like Chicken Soup for the Dog lover's Soul for Senior Dogs. My three senior dogs do great on it. They add the gloucosamine in the food and the food has no cheap fillers that can cause further health problems. Also, if she has trouble with digesting food, add some low fat plain yogurt to her food. A couple of tablespoons with every meal will help her digestive system stay in top shape, and she'll love it too. There are other great foods out there but honestly, you won't find them in your local grocer.
Look in your local yellow pages under pet supplies/food and see if anyone in your area advertises selling holistic pet foods. These are the foods you want to feed her. They cost more, but are a much better quality food. Some brand names to look for are: Solid Gold, Innova, Wellness, and Paul Newman Brands.
Any bedding that she has should be thick enough that her bones can't feel the floor. Also, keep her in a warm area, out of drafts.
Definitely have your vet check her, especially since she has some growths at her age.
You are an angel for taking in this old girl. She'll thank you forever.
Many blessings to both of you.
Sounds like you are doing everything right.
I would pop her to the vet just to see if there is anything that might need tended to.
A lot of older dogs get the fat cell tumors - begnin and loaceted uder the skin. Even if they eventually turn, I would never put a dog that age through chemo.
One of the best things is to keep her moving as much as she can - even i f she needs rest breaks, a nice stroll is good for her.
My 15 year Aussie/chow has slowed down some and doesn't race the way she did even 2 years ago - has taken over the couch (thank goodness for slip covers) - and is a lot crankier with other dogs.
(They definitely want something very soft upon which to sleep. Warm is important.)
She is still happily bullying the 2 1/2 year old who is 9 inches taller and 65 lbs heavier. Gets annoyed with him and just body slams into him and pinches him - all for the crime of lying where she thinks he shouldn't - and she wins hands down!
I vaccinate for everything - my one is a working Service Animal so there is great exposure to all kinds of stuff. All the standards plus bordatella (kennel cough); leptospiriosis; and Lyme. Check with your vet - you don't want to overwhelm her immune system
A food that my old lady is doing wonderfully on - perked right up and her coat got slick and shiny and went back to doing spurts and running on the beaching in addition to trotting out 2-3 miiles at a stretch on beach walks (her vet swears she is going to live forever she is so fit), and actually trimmed down some - is Solid Gold.
You can't buy it at the grocery, Petsmart or Walmart. They have dealers all over the country.
http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/.
BLESS YOUR HEART! What a wonderful thing to do. she is lucky to have you! It sounds to me that you are doing a great job! We just lost our dog last week, he was 14. He had the same tumour like growths we had them checked out and they were fine, nothing to worry about he had them for years. Our dog did well on Glucosamine you can call a vet with her approx weight and they will tell you the dosage. You can also get dog food for older dogs. Iams carries a good one. as long as she still has good teeth she will enjoy the hard food, maybe mix in some soft food for a treat once in a while. Just give her lots of love a little exercise If you take her outside of the fenced area, make sure she has someone with her. Our dog was deaf for his last 2 years, we had some scary moments. and a soft place to lay down. I envy you.. older dogs are so great to have around. enjoy her. I'm sure she is enjoying you.
God Bless You, for having a loving animal of that age. This is wonderful If she's hurting can they give medications to make her comfortingly, if not make her feel loved spend extra time keeping her mot suffering or even maybe try a heating bad or hot wrapped towels, not to hot to burn her or ice packs. is she to fragile to take it off? Boy sweetheart. I am the one who wrote about the 10 yr.old yellow-lab %26 Collie having to move.I really love her alot would love to be able to keep her myself or find her a new home maybe even a older persons home. She really is a working dog for disabiled bypolar people like my son.what kind of a dog is your lovely older girl? They are so loving and give us so much love in return. Best Of Luck With Yor Special partner.
Best wishies for her to get better soon or be resting in piece and not hurting , while she is allowed to live out her life , if it's possiable. Cood- luck with HER!! Have you tried music?
Lori
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