Lifespan of a Dog: A Dog Years Chart by Breed

[ArkRescue]

"
Lifespan of a Dog: A Dog Years Chart by Breed
Are you wondering what the usual life expectancy of your dog is? Lifespan for dogs varies from breed to breed. Find out what the average lifespan of your dog is here."

http://www.petcarerx.com/article/lifespan-of-a-dog-a-dog-years-chart-by-breed/1223?cc=obrss&id=0&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=paidlink&utm_campaign=obrss

 

[ArkRescue]

so my boy is an American Bulldog and Pit Bull Mix - both breeds say 12-14 years. My boy is about 6 years old and is going to the vet later about his hip issues that have gotten worse recently. I was going to just put him on a joint supplement (saves me the $ office visit fee) but I think it's wise to use the vet's knowledge to rule out some other cause first. Then I can try joint supplements if he doesn't find anything noteworthy. I have to admit my boy never has been very active and it could be he's not lazy so much as in pain when he sits/stands?? I'm going to also take Tex in (stray local male kitty I had vetted) because he has been shaking his head and I have no clue what's going on. He went through a course of Amox for his infected wound on his face, so I doubt it would be an ear infection. If he had ear mites the vet at HS would have let me know. So before I release him I want to be sure he's 100%.

For Rotties it says 8-11 years, so my Rottie gal living to 12 1/2 was great, and her son who died of pancreatic cancer at 7 wasn't far off the minimum age range.

 

[getbent]

Mastiffs (x's 2 ) : 8-10
Labs : 10-12

 

[kwillia]

Mini Schnauzer 12 - 14. I have one that just turned 13 in March and one that will be 14 in September. Neither looks near kicking the bucket. I keep reminding my family that issues can set in quick and a dog could go from fine to in a matter of hours or days, but it is still hard to believe their timer is almost up...

 

[acommondisaster]

Keep dogs at their ideal weight.

 

[ArkRescue]

Keep dogs at their ideal weight.

'

I had to back down my boy's food due to his limited activity and he acts like he is starving all the time. What do you do? I feed him the "less is more" food and he just isn't satisfied. Maybe he just needs more chew stuff?

My boy was seen at the vet yesterday. I am so glad I went and paid the vet to evaluate my boy. As a professional he was able to help determine the cause of my boy's lameness in his back end which was not something that joint supplements would help (would have been first thing I would have thought/tried). Sadly it is most likely neurological but without doing some expensive tests like an MRI and others, we can't be sure. Since my boy can still walk, the vet said for now he is ok and we can address the lameness later if he gets worse, and at any time I can choose to start the diagnostic testing ($$ in hand). So it's possible my boy may not make it to 12 years old .

I also took Tex (stray local kitty I had vetted at HS), who I was about to release, until I saw his shaking his head. He apparently has ear mites in his left eat GRRRR. So this means daily drops in both ears for 10 days, stop for a time, then back again with drops for 10 days. Oh well, looks like Tex is becoming well bonded with me LOL. The vet said he's one happy kitty because he couldn't hear Tex's heartbeat well due to all the purring <G>.

 

[migtig]

The chart says Papillons live 12-15 years, but I've spoken to several folks who've raised them and they tend to live for 18 plus years, minus any serious health complications.

Either way, my dogs will probably outlive me.

 

[ArkRescue]

The chart says Papillons live 12-15 years, but I've spoken to several folks who've raised them and they tend to live for 18 plus years, minus any serious health complications.

Either way, my dogs will probably outlive me.

wow that's a LONG time - well I can only hope that I can continue to surround myself with good-hearted, critter-oriented people, and maybe when I am gone one of them will keep the rescue going? If not, I am arranging for all of the rescue assets to go to Melwood. Melwood does great things with disabled people and I have a soft spot for helping the special people and special critters. I have watched a relative of mine who is developmentally disabled and qualified for SSI that refused the SSI and works 2 jobs instead to pay taxes and be productive - that's what Melwood helps with, making people productive citizens - they're great.

I already have spoken to the board members of the rescue, who all know which critters will need help if I am gone. I am confident they will handle it well.

 

[ICit]

'

I had to back down my boy's food due to his limited activity and he acts like he is starving all the time. What do you do? I feed him the "less is more" food and he just isn't satisfied. Maybe he just needs more chew stuff?

My boy was seen at the vet yesterday. I am so glad I went and paid the vet to evaluate my boy. As a professional he was able to help determine the cause of my boy's lameness in his back end which was not something that joint supplements would help (would have been first thing I would have thought/tried). Sadly it is most likely neurological but without doing some expensive tests like an MRI and others, we can't be sure. Since my boy can still walk, the vet said for now he is ok and we can address the lameness later if he gets worse, and at any time I can choose to start the diagnostic testing ($$ in hand). So it's possible my boy may not make it to 12 years old .

I also took Tex (stray local kitty I had vetted at HS), who I was about to release, until I saw his shaking his head. He apparently has ear mites in his left eat GRRRR. So this means daily drops in both ears for 10 days, stop for a time, then back again with drops for 10 days. Oh well, looks like Tex is becoming well bonded with me LOL. The vet said he's one happy kitty because he couldn't hear Tex's heartbeat well due to all the purring <G>.

so can he walk at all? what were his symptoms? did the dr say what it could possibly be? (pinched nerve, DM, herniated disc)

what kinda exam did the dr do? what types of "tests" did he do?

how long has this been going on?

 

[ArkRescue]

so can he walk at all? what were his symptoms? did the dr say what it could possibly be? (pinched nerve, DM, herniated disc)

what kinda exam did the dr do? what types of "tests" did he do?

how long has this been going on?

apparently this has been going on since we got him and just recently got worse - we thought that when we scratched/pet him that his butt slid to the floor because he was giving in to the pressure and was just .. well... lazy - apparently not. So this recent escalation where he fell into the wall while trying to turn around and around for the perfect drop onto the bed to sleep is what caused me some concern. Meaning this was an issue and needed to be handled. Yes he said MRI and a pinched nerve possibility, and something else I forgot already. He said he didn't appear to be in any pain so that I didn't need to do anything immediately. He said an x-ray was not likely to show anything wrong so didn't recommend that. I'm okay with just waiting for now. I may even try supplements just to SEE if he responds, and if he doesn't, that would push me more toward the neurological assumption.

If money was no concern I'd go for all the diagnostic testing now just to KNOW. I don't have money for all that so I will wait until a need arises and the expense gets pushed up higher on the priority list. The vet didn't seem to think it was an urgent thing to do testing just yet after his exam. This does explain why my dog is always laying down. He seems to have little interest in running and jumping. The vet did suggest we not allow him to attempt to jump up to minimize any worsening of his condition. So this means if I put him in the back of the p/u truck I know we need to assist or have a ramp.

 

[migtig]

Yes he said MRI and a pinched nerve possibility, and something else I forgot already. He said he didn't appear to be in any pain so that I didn't need to do anything immediately. He said an x-ray was not likely to show anything wrong so didn't recommend that. I'm okay with just waiting for now. I may even try supplements just to SEE if he responds, and if he doesn't, that would push me more toward the neurological assumption..

As a human with a neurological condition, may I say, all the doctors can do is run tests, and monitor, they can't really treat. They can make recommendations for supplements, and maybe even drugs if there is pain, maybe recommend some massage and acupuncture, but other than radical experimental surgery, which my doctor advises against, there is absolutely nothing they can do to treat and cure neurological conditions. Admitedly, this is on the human side, but I doubt there is much difference. Don't feel bad for not not spending the money. I'm personally sick of wasting mine and tired of going for all the testing.

So my non-professional opinion would be to give your dog nightly massages and maybe some doggie asprin if it's been a rough day. If your dog is showing "pain" then ask the vet to help you out with a prescription and skip all the testing. But otherwise, falling into walls and losing balance is actually not that painful overall. Just embarrassing. Give some extra love and snuggles, and let your dog sleep. I'd love to sleep all day.

As for a ramp, depending on your dogs weight, just pick up a sheet of plywood. Excellent cheap ramp.

 

[ArkRescue]

As a human with a neurological condition, may I say, all the doctors can do is run tests, and monitor, they can't really treat. They can make recommendations for supplements, and maybe even drugs if there is pain, maybe recommend some massage and acupuncture, but other than radical experimental surgery, which my doctor advises against, there is absolutely nothing they can do to treat and cure neurological conditions. Admitedly, this is on the human side, but I doubt there is much difference. Don't feel bad for not not spending the money. I'm personally sick of wasting mine and tired of going for all the testing.

So my non-professional opinion would be to give your dog nightly massages and maybe some doggie asprin if it's been a rough day. If your dog is showing "pain" then ask the vet to help you out with a prescription and skip all the testing. But otherwise, falling into walls and losing balance is actually not that painful overall. Just embarrassing. Give some extra love and snuggles, and let your dog sleep. I'd love to sleep all day.

As for a ramp, depending on your dogs weight, just pick up a sheet of plywood. Excellent cheap ramp.

thanks for the insight - lots of love for him for sure. I am amazed at the many low-cost alternatives one of our volunteers has shared with us, and I bet we have some plywood around. Hey I just remembered I have a relative that bought a ramp for their big dog that won't use it - hmm maybe they'd like to donate it?

 

[warneckutz]

My latest foster failure was labeled a "lab mix", but I recently saw some pictures of english shepherd pups and he looked exactly like them, so I dunno...

 

[ArkRescue]

View attachment 102269

My latest foster failure was labeled a "lab mix", but I recently saw some pictures of english shepherd pups and he looked exactly like them, so I dunno...

AWWWWW how adorable !

 

[luvmygdaughters]

My girl Nikki lived to be 18 years old. She was a shepherd mix. Got her when she was 8 weeks old from Tri County. I swear it was because she was a mixed breed, seems they get the best of the breeds that make them up.

 

[warneckutz]

My girl Nikki lived to be 18 years old. She was a shepherd mix. Got her when she was 8 weeks old from Tri County. I swear it was because she was a mixed breed, seems they get the best of the breeds that make them up.

I've read that in many places, a "mix" is usually healthier than a full-breed...

 

[SoMDGirl42]

My shih tzu's all lived their life expectancy or more at 11-14. Gizmo was a week shy of 16, Mac was almost 14 and Tosh was just shy of 15 (he would have been 15 next month). I made the choice to each of them to sleep, so they may have each lived a little longer but I didn't want them suffering. Tosh was the latest to cross the bridge, and although I don't think he was in pain, he was blind and deaf. It was hard watching him struggle to get around. The day I put him to sleep, we had unexpected snow flurries. Mac and Tosh loved to play in the snow, it was my sign that they were happy to be back together again.

 

[ICit]

apparently this has been going on since we got him and just recently got worse - we thought that when we scratched/pet him that his butt slid to the floor because he was giving in to the pressure and was just .. well... lazy - apparently not. So this recent escalation where he fell into the wall while trying to turn around and around for the perfect drop onto the bed to sleep is what caused me some concern. Meaning this was an issue and needed to be handled. Yes he said MRI and a pinched nerve possibility, and something else I forgot already. He said he didn't appear to be in any pain so that I didn't need to do anything immediately. He said an x-ray was not likely to show anything wrong so didn't recommend that. I'm okay with just waiting for now. I may even try supplements just to SEE if he responds, and if he doesn't, that would push me more toward the neurological assumption.

If money was no concern I'd go for all the diagnostic testing now just to KNOW. I don't have money for all that so I will wait until a need arises and the expense gets pushed up higher on the priority list. The vet didn't seem to think it was an urgent thing to do testing just yet after his exam. This does explain why my dog is always laying down. He seems to have little interest in running and jumping. The vet did suggest we not allow him to attempt to jump up to minimize any worsening of his condition. So this means if I put him in the back of the p/u truck I know we need to assist or have a ramp.

.... i wouldnt do the MRI...

so... here is a question when he does walk does he drag/scuff his toes?

has he lost muscle tone?

if you "tickle" his RIGHT foot does he kick his LEFT?

Two middle nails on the rear legs worn more than other?

when he walks/runs looks a little drunk and rear leg give out and OR get crossed up?

 

[ICit]

View attachment 102269

My latest foster failure was labeled a "lab mix", but I recently saw some pictures of english shepherd pups and he looked exactly like them, so I dunno...

.... so is this number 3

 

[ICit]

As a human with a neurological condition, may I say, all the doctors can do is run tests, and monitor, they can't really treat. They can make recommendations for supplements, and maybe even drugs if there is pain, maybe recommend some massage and acupuncture, but other than radical experimental surgery, which my doctor advises against, there is absolutely nothing they can do to treat and cure neurological conditions. Admitedly, this is on the human side, but I doubt there is much difference. Don't feel bad for not not spending the money. I'm personally sick of wasting mine and tired of going for all the testing.

So my non-professional opinion would be to give your dog nightly massages and maybe some doggie asprin if it's been a rough day. If your dog is showing "pain" then ask the vet to help you out with a prescription and skip all the testing. But otherwise, falling into walls and losing balance is actually not that painful overall. Just embarrassing. Give some extra love and snuggles, and let your dog sleep. I'd love to sleep all day.

As for a ramp, depending on your dogs weight, just pick up a sheet of plywood. Excellent cheap ramp.

dont do asprin .. unless bloodwork has been done. and it can also cuz a bleeding ulcer ...


and I have an idea of what is going on.... just waiting on the next set of answers.