she is 12 years old and on glucosamine and rimadyl. we think we are on borrowed time, but anyone got any ideas how we can help her further?
2006-07-27 09:14:11 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
An aspirin a day might help if it's arthritis, but speak to your vet first as mixing medicine without a doctor's approval is not good in either animals or humans. Even the most common over-the-counter drugs can have severe side effects when taken in conjunction with other medicines.
Also, it my not be pain making her wobbly. Since and English sheepdog is a large dog, put her food and water on a raised surface so she doesn't have to bend down to eat or drink. When animals get old, their digestive tracts do not pull the nutrients they need out of their food and the body can be starving, even though the animal is eating normal or above normal amounts. A starving animal (or human for that matter) will utilize first the stored fats in the body and then will begin to consume the muscle tissue for needed nutrients. She may need a different food or a high caloric additive and/or vitamins. Again, talk to your vet before making any changes in food or medicines.
2006-07-27 09:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by alodiwolfsong 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Large dogs live shorter lives than small dogs and medium dogs are somewhere in between. Your dog is on borrowed time so enjoy her last months, or year or two, since there is no set time, it's approximate!
My Border Collie acts as if she's very young, fools everyone about her age, and is a serious force to be reckoned with as a guard dog for our home.
Only I know that at eleven she aint young these days. Only I see her weakest moments, when she's stiff after sleeping and cries in pain, through her arthritic hip, and when she trips over her own feet, or, when she fell over sideways out of her bed, yesterday.
Just as I was getting worried, she went on to drag me five miles round the outskirts of the village, wagging her tail all the way and looking three years old!
Enjoy your pet and don;t let her pick up on your stress, you have enough time to mourn her, after she has gone!
2006-07-27 09:23:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My alsatian got arthritis and its best to put the dog down if she is in pain.. It is possible to get a cage made that supports the rear legs and has wheels so the dog can be mobile ,but i find this very cruel.. Ask ure vet what they suggest ,but u will know if she is in pain better than anybody... I'ts always tough when our pets get old but that's life and u still have her around now,so make these times the best u can for her and remember that u will always have the memories of ure treasured times forever... Good luck to her and you..
2006-07-27 09:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean that the dog is on borrowed time, we aren't really interested whether you are or not!
It never fails to amaze me how selfish people are with pets. 12 years of age is a respectable old age for dogs, if your old pooch is suffering, do the decent thing and think about the dog for once!
2006-07-27 09:51:45 · answer #4 · answered by Raymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go on a search engine like google or yahoo.
that would definately help you! can't you get her some support bandages or summat?
well if shes gonna die then let her have some great times and let her do what a sheepdog does best!!
We have a sheepdog about 11/12 and we just let her out into the open and enjoy!!
2006-07-27 09:32:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am ever so soory to hear about your dog but just think you have got to make the most of what shes got take her to the vets though just to check there is nothiong else to help rember you may have a few years left as they can live until 14
2006-07-27 09:22:43 · answer #6 · answered by ally_animals 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Treat her much as you would an elderly human, lots of TLC, my last old dog seemed to be helped a lot be giving him an aspirin every other day
2006-07-27 09:18:46 · answer #7 · answered by Pobept 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the same with any dogs when the back end starts to go.
Enjoy her and make her happy for the time she has left.
2006-07-27 09:19:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could try cod liver oil caps, you can also buy a cart chair thing that you set the dogs back end in and it doesnt have to use the back legs, i have saw retired police dogs using them . poor big doggy, give her a big kiss from me
2006-07-28 04:14:31 · answer #9 · answered by petulabadula 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You wont like my answer! Yes you are on borrowed time! I think the vet will tell you that. too.
2006-07-27 09:18:27 · answer #10 · answered by Tidos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋