What We Do for Our Pets

[Marge]

15 years is a large part of your life. Is she on any meds for the legs Dave? Shaka almost couldn't walk and this Tramadol she started a couple months ago has given her a new life. We truly felt we wouldn't have her past the new year until then.

We'll be thinking of you and Sandy!

[davem]

Thanks Marge, Laura took her to the vet last week while I was out of town. She's on several meds now, I'm not sure what. We're hoping it will help.

I just googled Tramadol, it's for pain? Sandy doesn't show any signs of pain, the vet thinks it's neurological. I don't really know what that means though.

[Marge]

Yep Dave, for arthritic pain. A lot of arthritis has formed around her artificial hip (she's had that since age two). I know there's a bunch of meds for dogs now for neuro issues. If you have time, please let us know what meds she got...just as an info sharing thing mainly. We heard about Tramadol outside of our vet so it led us in that direction. Might help someone here too.

Good luck to you.

[agchoset]

The tramadol is a relatively new drug in veterinary circles -- on the human side, it's been used for several years for chronic pain, moslty back/joint pain, and cancer-induced pain. It works nicely in many animals, and has limited side effects. It doesn't do much for inflammation, however.

If your pup's rear legs don't seem to be working, then it is likely a neurologic problem may be to blame, and pain medication isn't too likely to help. Basically, either the spinal canal is narrowed and therefore compressing the spinal cord, OR, there's deterioration of the spinal cord / nerves and there's a loss of control and sensation.

It's not an easy situation to handle, unfortunately :-(

-Andrew

[dcousins]

Marge, let me ask you a question about older dogs. Does your dog whine a lot - not like she is in pain, but almost like she is complaining about general things. My older female dog (12) is so whiny this past year. I call her a cranky old lady. but she doesn't seem to be in pain. She just make little noises like she is upset that the kid makes too much noise, for example. I am a work at home mom so I spend a lot of time with both dogs (and my son). is this just elderly crankiness?

[Marge]

Andrew, Dave's mom was on Tramadol not long before she passed away last year. We were surprised to hear it was being used on pets....what a difference in Shaka though. She went from a lump on the couch to short walks, playing with the dog next door and no longer being afraid that other animals might hurt her.

Deborah, we noticed this last year that Shaka WAS getting cranky. We thought (and still do think) it was because of her arthritis though. She loved to play with other dogs and was starting to cringe and grump at them if they came close. She's back to her old self now. One thing we've really noticed since the meds is she is a lot more demanding and impatient. If Dave does not take her out when she is ready, she starts barking and following him around until she "gets her way". It's so good to see her more physical and really enjoying herself again. However long it lasts, we are truly grateful for her new energy and the extra time we have with her. And before I get teary eyed I'll shut up!

[JTG]

Did anyone notice that Scooters kin won Best of Show at Westminster yesterday?
JTG

[dgunnels]

Deborah, are you the same person you were five years ago? Thought not. Pups personalities change just like ours do. I imagine she's just saying how she feels. As long as she's not hurting. Our beagle mix, Tippy, has changed quite a bit just in the last couple of years. We are constantly marveling at the things she does and the way she acts now as opposed to her younger days.

Jerry, did Scooter celebrate with a beer? A friend of mine actually went to the show. We are baby sitting her dog while she is gone. That's in the present tense because she hasn't been able to get a flight out of La Gaurdia. Been at the airport for 24 hours now. Maybe today.

Finally, showed Bobby this site. Thought I should since I talk about y'all all the time. Showed him this thread in particular. Clydes most recently pictures were hysterical. He loved 'em.

On a sad note, my SIL's dog Belle, a rescue Beagle, passed away yesterday. Cheryl found her in the driveway when she came home. Either a heart attack or seizure. She was 11+.

[Marge]

If Scooter didn't have a beer I guarantee Max did!

[Marge]

DaveM and wife Laura could use your thoughts as their furball Sandy passed away.

http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=46748

[ddmoit]

This is my beagle, Natasha, going up against my sister's lab, Duke, in a playful wrestling match...

[Bugman]

Isn't it fun to watch dogs having a good time? Yesterday, Sam and a neighbor's dog really got into a run, bump, tumble mood. We just had to stand there and laugh.

[ddmoit]

Indeed it is. My beagle really cracks me up sometimes. She does a very convincing impression of a mean junk-yard dog, and she's Tom Sawyer clever as well. I've seen her take toys away from bigger dogs by convincing them that some other toy is the thing to have. Beagle agility is a sight to behold. She can really turn on a dime. She's not much of a rabbit dog, but she can mouse as good as any cat I ever had. She's a little over-reliant on her nose, but once she sees a mouse, it has 2 more seconds to live.

[Marge]

Our next door neighbor, with the male Schnauzer that Shaka adores, adopted a rescue Yorkie last night for her senior mom (to replace mom's pet Yorkie that passed away a couple months ago). Dog seemed fine. Early AM got ill with vomiting and then later blood out the other end. She took him to the vet and he may have Parvo...the test was negative but they said they can't be sure for awhile as he didn't get his shots until a couple weeks ago. On meds for the time being. I feel so bad for the little guy.

[dgunnels]

What a tough go for the little Yorkie. Pure Breds aren't always in the healthiest condition to be gin with. Hope the little guy comes out of it OK.

We love to watch our pooches play they can be super entertaining.

A little bad news. Our Tippy, beagle/bassett mix has to have surgery, again. She has had surgery about a dozen times now for masses. Some on the surface and one underneath. Almost all have been malignant. These two are pretty big and below the skin. I think one is just a lypoma or fatty growth. The other is deeper in the muscle tissue and it's the one that really bothers me. She goes in next Thursday. All the anesthesia worries more than the actual cutting. Vet tries to just give her a local and some gas. He doesn't like putting her under anymore if he can avoid it.