Question about older dogs

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

It's almost impossible to get *rid* of fleas. Preventing them is really the only way. Once those bastards get a hold, you can bomb and spray until you kill everyone in your house and the fleas will still be there.

Besides, getting rid of the fleas wouldn't have cured the cat anyway.

A friend put nematodes in her yard and she swears that they work.

[Roman]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

A woman I know spent over $1000 on a blood transfusion for her cat because it had some anemia thing caused by fleas. The cat died a few days later.

I thought she was nuts to spend that kind of money, even before the cat died.

I spent almost $600.00 on an Iguana that I rescued. She went on to live another 14 years. Yes..I'm a nut!!

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by migtig

So, the point of my silly story, I think it's up to the individual pet owner to do what's right and know how far they are willing to go to make their pet have a comfortable and happy and healthy life. I'm not one to judge how they spend their money, or don't, on their pet.

Exactly!

However, I personally could not have a pet and then refuse to at the least find out what was wrong with my pet before making any further decisions in regards to treatment, or not.

I wouldn't spend anything on a 15 year old dog. You know what's wrong - he's old and his body is calling it a day. You don't need a vet to tell you that.

[migtig]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

I wouldn't spend anything on a 15 year old dog. You know what's wrong - he's old and his body is calling it a day. You don't need a vet to tell you that.

Depends on the dog, the breed, and the owner. I was speaking to a lady the other day that has the same breed dog as myself and her eldest one is 18. She says he naps more now and doesn't tolerate puppies. I said, "Me too!"

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Roman

I spent almost $600.00 on an Iguana that I rescued. She went on to live another 14 years. Yes..I'm a nut!!

Yeah, but how often did you brush her teeth?

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Yeah, but how often did you brush her teeth?

And did she have a hearing aid?

[getbent]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Yeah, but how often did you brush her teeth?

Ugh, our oldest dog is about 8. His breath could scare the buzzards off a gut wagon!.

[acommondisaster]

Originally Posted by PrepH4U

My old english sheepdog has dementia, he has bowel movements in his sleep or just walking through the house. He has muscle weakness now which according to the vet, is just like older people who lose muscle strength. (picture older humans using a walker).
I read an article in whole dog journal that says giving them Sam-E is supposed to help w/the dementia. I haven't tried it yet to give you advice but, may be worth to do a little more research and give it a try.
I haven't taken my old guy in to the vet either as I know what is coming down the road and no amount of pills will help right now. Been there done that with my last two. My hound made it to 17 and my female OES died within a month of a diagnosis at 10. I do have on hand some pain pills from the last two if he seems too uncomfortable.
Sometimes you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Good luck!

Someone I work with has a dog with dementia and the vet has prescribed half an Aricept (it's a big dog) - which is a pill that is given to humans with dementia to help with their cognitive skills. She said the vet warned it might shorten the dog's life a bit, but she'd rather have her dog be "with it" than be a confused mess. She says she has seen a noticeable improvement - dog has stopped getting lost in their fenced yard, is playing again and remembers to eat - all things he'd lost. Not sure what the side effects are - she did say it was hard to find a vet to prescribe it.

[PrepH4U]

Originally Posted by acommondisaster

Someone I work with has a dog with dementia and the vet has prescribed half an Aricept (it's a big dog) - which is a pill that is given to humans with dementia to help with their cognitive skills. She said the vet warned it might shorten the dog's life a bit, but she'd rather have her dog be "with it" than be a confused mess. She says she has seen a noticeable improvement - dog has stopped getting lost in their fenced yard, is playing again and remembers to eat - all things he'd lost. Not sure what the side effects are - she did say it was hard to find a vet to prescribe it.

Interesting, thanks! I need to get off my ass and go get some Sam-
E for him to see if it will help. (the vet really stresses him out) He hasn't gotten lost in the fenced in yard yet, just zones out and trys to remember what he is supposed to be doing. The cleaning up of the poop is annoying but I will deal with it. I cleaned it up when he was a pup and I will continue now as long as he has some quality of life. Every now & then I see a twinkle in his eye and he will start to run and play. Thanks for the advice.