He is over 15 years old. I just noticed tonight that his mouth is starting to swell (it has happened twice before) So i administered a pain pill for dogs as well as dental antibiotics that we keep on hand for him. Is this all that I can do for him? He usually gets over it in a couple of days but we caught it earlier than we normally do. Please don't think im cruel or anything but i can't take him to the vet unless he's dieing (that is why we have meds at our house) He was to be euthanized at the pound but we went to court to fight for him...best dog we have ever had everyone we know thinks so too! Anyway he is terrified and he had bad teeth when we got him but otherwise he is so healthy and still plays like a pup...Are there any home treatments besides what im doing that might help him heal faster...he's my buddy and i want him to be as comfortable as possible!
2007-04-30 18:25:36 · 13 answers · asked by Cash--Rescue, Foster, Adopt! 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
These meds were perscribed from his vet the first time we visited him w/ this problem. My dog just gets so scared and upset it takes him days to settle back down, i'd hate to see him have a heart attack. Right now he's curled up asleep in my room and I will continue his meds until the swelling goes down!
2007-04-30 18:36:22 · update #1
You guys don't understand, this is nothing to put him down for. He would most likely die if he had surgery and is completely healthy other than his teeth. Once he gets on his meds it goes away quickly....he still has fight and im not going to put him down until i look in his eyes and he lets me know when hes ready. He still has puppy in his eyes and is not ready! The last time this incident happened was about Sep. of last year and it went away in 2 days!
2007-04-30 18:38:43 · update #2
For you who wrote that i am financially challenged...i am not! My dogs have been even taken to the emergency vet if they were in need of care. I do not withhold that from them....I can afford a vet for all of my 3 dogs!
2007-04-30 18:40:35 · update #3
My heart stopped 2 second when I read your headline. I thought " oh no please don't tell me" I remember your old baby. Is he eating and drinking water as usual?
You have done the right thing to make him less painful. Please consider "SHADEDTI'S OPTION" and talk to your vet about it. Give him lots love as always and take good care of him and yourself. Keep in touch. You have my support!
2007-04-30 19:46:46 · answer #1 · answered by lilac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your guy is 15 and gets around, eats and drinks, and has no other problems..... you have the problem..... a tender heart !
Take him to the vet. They will give him a calmative that will not hurt an older dog.... your vet will know if he's got a heart that can't take one med over another.
Once he is asleep or very groggy, the vet can look at the teeth and see what needs to be done. She can put him further under so he has no pain, pull what needs to be pulled, stitch or two, clean the others, and wake him up. Put on antibiotics for about 10 days.
The antibiotic is very, very important because the infection from the teeth can infect the kidneys. If you do not take your old man, you may be slowly killing him if he has an infection that he cannot get over because the infection is still there even after the antibiotics you gave.
Also, you may not be giving the correct antibiotic to kill the bacteria in the gums !!!!
When he comes home, you will probably have to soak his kibble
or chop up his homemade food/meat/veggies once the teeth are out.
I just did this to a 14 year old Dalmatian that I rescued. He had 4 teeth pulled and a few stitches. [ I clean the other teeth once a month, so the others were not bad at all. ]
Topper was anesthesized for about 20 minutes - that's all !
He was very groggy, so I let him stay there for about 6 hours - the vet gave him IV fluids so he would not be thirsty and to make him feel better.
I think she gave him Reglan and Vitamin K, too.
I took his clean soft pad to put in the steel cage so he would have good traction. I picked him up about 6 pm and we went home ! He vomited 2 times and slept that night - no food. He could regurgitate, vomit, or something and aspirate the vomit and if it got in his lungs !!! this would cause pneumonia !
He was sore for 3 days and had 2 pain pills a day for 5 days. He ate 4 cans of high calorie gruel in a can from the vet and then Canidae dog food from the can, mashed potatoes, soaked rice, chopped chicken. Watch what is on the recall list as to what is safe.
He is fine !!!! I promise you ! I think he'll be around to about age 16 - I hope! He's on supplements with MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin in it along with Vit C, yucca, and enzymes for digestion - make sure it has the MSM in it.
Besides Canidae dog food, fresh chicken & carrots or veggies, he needs nothing else.
Your vet can show you how to clean teeth with a scaler, brush, and a solution called * chlorhexadine * to get the tartar off.
Please, do not be afraid. Have some time off, and take him there..... will be the best thing you can do and have him comfortable.
He trusts you to always do what is best for him. So, go do it ! You'll be glad and he'll be happy without those nasty teeth.
Write back and tell us how he did !
Hugs to your Pops !
2007-05-01 02:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by MoonStarsandRoses 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I will try not to be so aggitated with you so you will understand what the others are trying to tell you. when your dog had the problem before, a lot could have changed within your dogs chemistry, the problem could have compounded, and the meds might not be the right dosage or even be the right med for the problem your dog has not. It does sound like he needs some dental care. 15 is not too old for dental care. My dog lived to 22 and had dental care every year. They put her under and she came out just fine. But bad teeth and bacteria can get in the blood stream and into your dogs heart and cause really awful heart problems and shorten your dogs life even more and make your poor dog even more uncomfortable. Please take your dog to the vet for one last visit to have him checked for his swelling gums and let the vet decide. Then you will feel relief and the dog will be taken care of. Thats all it will take and peace of mind will be yours. I beg you to think that way. give your darling a little doggie downer before going into the vet and no anxiety for him. good luck with your baby he has a long life ahead of him. I will think happy thoughts for both of you. I understand your anxiety but I do know you need to check it out. I have been a veterinary technician for ten years. Stay calm and so will your dog. xx cheers!
2007-05-01 02:19:06 · answer #3 · answered by katie d 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why can't you take your dog to a vet unless he's dying? Don't' you have to get the dog his shots like a rabies vaccine when he needs one and a distemper shot too? I'm glad your able to afford a vet but just don't understand just cause your dog is scared or gets upset going there that you can't take him to one. My dog gets scared to but it's an important thing in keeping them healthy. maybe your vet could come out to the house and have a look at him to make sure everything is fine. But I will tell you my dog is 15yrs old to and the day i see him in pain from anything that can't be treated anymore I know I will have to let him go and not be selfish just cause he looks like he's still has that puppy look in his eyes.
Also why would your dog die from having surgery? If he gets over it in a couple of days then don't worry about it I guess cause you say it's happened before. But if you want to do more then call the vet and ask.
2007-05-01 11:21:30 · answer #4 · answered by Dog Lover 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I feel that as long as he can still swallow and his airway is clear that you shouldn't worry. If he got his meds down and is comfortable then you should be okay. Give him a big old hug for me. Another thing to try is giving him some crushed ice. This may help the swelling and the discomfort in his mouth. I had a cat once with mouth problems and he loved iced water. He would almost lay his whole mouth in it so it must have felt good. Best of luck to you both.
2007-05-01 01:33:39 · answer #5 · answered by marycolletta 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Aww poor baby - I understand you are financially challenged - have you ever discussed with the vet a payment plan ?? My vet is morethan happy to set one up for anyone & takes even $20 a month payents - vets want dogs to be as happy and healthy as their human owners - not taking your best buddy in to get checked really isn't a good thing for your pal - a dogs/ animals oral hygine is very important to it's health - excess plaque can be swallow & possibily get into the blood stream & case strokes , and other such horror stories
Call up your vet or others in the area &ask around about options- your buddy will thank you for it.
2007-05-01 01:38:11 · answer #6 · answered by T. M 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sorry to be cruel but he is 15 years old, and in pain, if you aren't going to provide him with proper vet care and keep him comfortable in his last days, then you really should consider putting him down. Saving a dog is a great thing, but dragging out their life and not providing good quality care is just plain mean..
2007-05-01 01:34:32 · answer #7 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like your doing all you can, just keep on loving him. Dogs are great friends and dont worry about others opinions. If his mouth cleared up before I am sure it will this time too. Might ask the vet if there is anything else you can do for his condition.
2007-05-01 01:51:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you are not a vet how can you judge how much your old dog is suffering. For your own peace of mind you should have him checked ~~
2007-05-01 01:36:37 · answer #9 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry, you really should see a vet. Obviously you have no clue what you're doing and are letting the dog suffer and be in pain. You are cruel.
2007-05-01 01:32:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋