Dogster Answers › Health & Wellness

Guest

URGENT - MY DOG IS DYING - NOT SURE WHAT TO DO

I have a white shepherd that's 11.6 years old. She's had a bit of arthritis in the past couple of month or so. A couple days ago both her back legs locked up and she is completely unable to move them. They do not move whatsoever so I picked her up and took her to the vet. The vet gave me some meds for arthritis and pain. She took them for about a day and a half, but now she's not having it anymore. She won't really eat, she keeps turning her head around. All she had for the whole day today was 1/2 a small can of dog food (she won't eat human food at all anymore). I brought her water, she takes sips and that's about it.

I've been keeping her warm in the house during the night time with covers and a soft mattress underneath her. She's calm, except for times such as the middle of the night or random times during the day she's panting very heavily like she's in pain but she doesn't want to take her meds anymore. She's very sad, but every once in a while she does get happy and looks up to


Asked by Guest 200319 on Nov 3rd 2009 in Health & Wellness
 Report this question Get this question's RSS feed Send this question to a friend


Status

  • Cast your vote for which answer you think is best!

Answers

Charlie

While it may be very hard, it may be time to let her go. Medication will only mask the problem so you don't have to view the symptoms of her pain and suffering. She could be in a lot of pain and she could know it's her time too. So the real issue may be letting her go and getting her euthanized so that she doesn't have to suffer anymore.

I know a man who still has his 16 year old wolf cross. The poor old boy has such bad arthritis, he can barely move and he's in a lot of pain. But his owner refuses to put him out of his misery and let him go.

Either way, I hope you do what you feel is right and that you get lots of time spent with your dog before she does go.


Charlie answered 2 weeks, 6 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Pepper

The most unselfish act - do what is best for her without thinking of yourself. Be with her, she loves and trusts you.

I'm so sorry, good bye's are hard. I have lost 3 dogs of my own, and still cry a bit when I think of them.

Truffle
Woofie
Candy
Love you girls!


Pepper answered 2 weeks, 6 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Roscoe

i know this is the last thing that you want to hear coming from anyone, but the best thing is to let her go in peace. She is apparently in a lot of pain and no dog should have to endure that. She is getting older for that breed. I hope that for her sake you make the right call. I'm feel for you, because the decision to put a pet down is never an easy one, but is sometimes the best thing. Meds will only help keep her out of pain for so long. Please accept my condolences in this hard time.


Roscoe answered 2 weeks, 6 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Delilah

Acti Pet Canine Complex works great for arthritist. Colloidal Silver is really good for dogs, drop about 3-4 drops of Colloidal Silver in her mouth and put about 2 drops of Colloidal Silver in her water. Colloidal Silver will heal her. Maybe her stomach hurts. Give her Acidophulus, this will calm he stomach and she will be able to eat and feel better. Check for hip dyplasia or nervous system problems. Your dog is dehydrated, if she will not drink water, get a can of chicken broth and poor it into a bowl to see if she will drink that, if she doesn't then try in a quit, relaxing room and try the water again or the broth, speak to her calmly. Offer foods in a spoon (try baby food, no onion powder added! Peanut butter, soft dog food or American cheese). At night you can warm up some dog food in the microwave (the food I told you) and give it to her and some cold water. You can give her a 15 minutes massage to loosen up her muscles. Post something in the forums and I will tell you more info


Delilah answered 2 weeks, 6 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Fritz

Back to the vet, if he doesn't seem to be helping go to another vet for a second opinion. 11 isn't that old, I have had big dogs live to 18.

Maybe force her to eat the pill, or just throw them down her throat. I wonder if something else is going one, I wouldn't think arthritis would hit so quickly.

If it's time, let her go, but make sure there isn't a way you can help her to get better first.

Good Luck to you


Fritz answered 2 weeks, 6 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


SUNSHINE

well, a couple of things, number one maybe a stroke or heart attack, did the vet check for those things?
I had a little girl here that truly was at the same point, I had a goat that kidded that day . I milked some clostrum out and actually had to force it down KnickKnacks throat with a syringe, she was practically inert. I had her in the bathroom with the door closed wraped in a big bath towel. I left a bowl of water and a little canned food that I had tried to tempt her with earlier with her. An hour later when I checked, she was standing drinking water and the food was gone (only a couple of tablespoons). I had heard about the miraculous qualities of colostrum, that's why I tried it.
Check farm/vet supply houses, they do carry powdered colostrum, just might help.
My girl had a bad heart, had had a heart attack, the vet put her on meds, but I always will believe it was that colostrum that saved her.


SUNSHINE answered 2 weeks, 6 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

wrap her and take her to the vets.
If she is panting heavily then something could be affecting her breathing or in her chest cavity.
A big x-ray of that area is what she needs.
She is old, but you could help her more by taking her in asap.
I would take her as soon as you read this. I hope you already have.
To keep her hydrated try using a dropper and feed her some chicken broth luke warm. Place the dropper inside her outside mouth flap back inside her molars
You really need the vet , so that is my first answer.


Dieta answered 2 weeks, 5 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Related Questions

More Questions in This Category