Pain vs Old Age

• 04-09-2007 4:19 PM

  dragonfly Joined on 02-21-2007 Posts 19 Points 0

  Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact My mother has a bird dog who is about 13 years old now.  He's almost blind but navigates the yard very well.  He has arthritis, but seems to feel better with an aspirin in the morning.  Lately though, he seems disoriented and doesn't have much get-up-and-go.  He still is eating well, but doesn't 'look' like he feels good.  He wags his tail and gets excited to see you, loves being petted.  He has a couple of tumors which the vet won't consider removing because of his age. What we don't know is what kind of pain he's in...if it's too much to handle or just old age aches & pain.  How do you tell when enough is enough and a dog needs to be put down?  He is such a lover and we don't want to loose him but we don't want him to suffer either.  Does anyone have experience or insight to animal pain & suffering that could advise when we'll know the time has come?

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• 04-09-2007 5:51 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  Misskiwi67 Joined on 12-19-2006 Posts 1,176 Points 0

  RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact When your dog was middle aged, what were his three favorite things to do? Eat, chase a ball, greet you at the door? When those three things are gone, then your dog has lost all quality of life and has nothing left to live for. I don't think your pup is quite to the point of letting him go yet, but the time is probably close, and sitting down with your mom and making a list like that can really help both of you make the right decision when the time comes. You can ask your vet about other pain medications besides aspirin. If he feels better on aspirin, then there is some pain that is relieved, but a lot of it is probably stiffness and age that medicine can't cure. Sheila Struts Her Stuff

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• 04-09-2007 8:56 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,918 Points 3,345

  RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact There is a LOT you can do for arthritis besides aspirin (which, like any nsaid, will cause stomach bleeding.)  There are some really easy things you can do -- like chammomile tea added to his dinner (wet herbs and all) -- that actually helps the stomach and is a nice mild nsaid.      They can get a bit disoriented -- and there are things, like ginseng, that can actually help sharpen them up a bit.  Frankly, I don't think 13 is all that old.  And honestly, I'm surprised your vet feels that way.  There are a lot of good, new anesthesias now that are very low risk.  My sheltie mix still had his last dental at 18, along with having 2 big old fatty lipomas removed and he lived another year.  Finally simply old age claimed him but at 19 that was only fair and he let me know when it was time.    When they don't want to eat, and can't show enthusiasm it's time.  But in honesty, there is probably quite a bit your folks could do to spark up this dog.  If you want my list of arthritis helps email me and I'll be glad to pass them on.  It's a word document so I can't send it in a PM.

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• 05-01-2007 12:12 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  sairey Joined on 01-21-2007 New Hampshire Posts 119 Points 0	RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact Aspirin is hard on dogs' stomachs. I would suggest either MSM or some other natural supplement.
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• 05-01-2007 6:59 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330	RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact He still is eating well, but doesn't 'look' like he feels good. He wags his tail and gets excited to see you, loves being petted. This doesn't sound like an animal that is ready to leave.
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• 05-01-2007 6:59 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330

  RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact Particularly good arthritis/pain sites are: [link>http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html]http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html[/link][/size] [link>http://www.dogaware.com/misc.html#opcare]http://www.dogaware.com/misc.html#opcare[/link][/size] (surgery)   Here are a couple of posts about the natural treatment of pain, arthritis and skeletal repair: [link>http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/111961.html#POST378364]http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/111961.html#POST378364[/link][/size]  [link>http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/107801.html#POST369263]http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/107801.html#POST369263[/link][/size]   Look into Cholodin [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=334530[/link]>http://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=334530]http://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=334530[/link]

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• 05-01-2007 7:08 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  timsdat Joined on 03-05-2007 Florida Posts 2,055 Points 220	RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact Has the dog had blood work done lately.  There are some medical conditions that can cause a older dog to become lethargic.   Steve and the pups Timmy and Sprite
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• 05-06-2007 6:40 PM

  In reply to dragonfly

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,729 Points 1,020

  RE: Pain vs Old Age Reply Contact ORIGINAL: janet_rose He still is eating well, but doesn't 'look' like he feels good. He wags his tail and gets excited to see you, loves being petted. This doesn't sound like an animal that is ready to leave. I agree.  I have arthritis, and I'm not ready to leave either. [] Take Janet and Callie's advice and look into some natural helps, and some palliative care for him.  Dogs are stoic, so they do need some help to feel less pain, but if the dog is eating, and still has an interest in his people, I would try those things.  This is a dog that might appreciate an orthopedic bed, too.   [] Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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