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Featured my dog

Discussion in 'Prayer Requests & Praise' started by evenifigoalone, Jan 19, 2016.

  1. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    Would like to request prayers for my dog. Maybe it seems silly, but he is important to me and I see pets as family members.

    Took him to the vet just about a month ago because he has heart issues he's on lifelong meds for and he was beginning to show symptoms that can mean heart failure, so I got all super worried and had the vet look at him. Vet said he was fine, his heart was a bit enlarged but not in failure, his blood work was all good and showed he was healthy.
    Thing is, now he's not wanting to go on walks. Yesterday he was just moving a lot slower than normal on the walk, but still was happy to go. Today he didn't want to go at all. Which...loss of energy is another symptom of heart failure.
    IDK, it may not be that...he's 10 now, maybe he's getting some joint pain and the cold weather affects that. He's a little dog and so shouldn't be seriously aging yet, I don't think, but that doesn't mean he can't have joint pain.
    I just really hope there's nothing seriously wrong with him because I can't afford to take much more out of my savings account for him. I will if it's needed, I'm not just going to deny him needed medical care, but that money is supposed to be for other things.
    For now I will keep an eye on him and see how things go.
     
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  2. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    Some times our 4 legged friends are the most loyal friends in our lives. :) Sadie.jpg
     
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  3. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Quest, been there a number of times. The toughest was the last one four years ago with kidney failure. Still get a lump in my throat that I can feel when I think of it.

    There is nothing silly about the bond with and concern for one's Pup.

    Were it me, I would get him back in for a check if there has been a worrisome change in the last month or so. Also, if the vet thinks it is a good idea, a blood test for functions/deficiencies.
     
  4. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    I really have very little money to go around, I'm afraid. If he seems worse I think I will at least call the vet and ask them how serious they think it is. They have worked with me on money before, I'll come in and say this is how much I have with me and they'll give me a list of what they want to do and how much it would cost and what would be most important to do, etc. I think they have even cut things down just a bit, though they've never said anything about it, I've just noticed that things come out costing a bit less than they said they would.
    I'm rambling.
    Anyway, I'm wondering if maybe it is joint issues. Noticed Treader jumped up on the couch and whined after settling down, and it definitely wasn't his "hint hint I need something, pay attention to me" whine.
     
  5. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Quest- I am not a veterinarian, so any thoughts are based only on layman's experience. My first thought of what you described was arthritis. At ten years on, he may have a bit of it.

    Some breeds have a higher incidence of particular issues. Dachshunds can be prone to back problems. You did not indicate his breeding, but that was my second thought.

    If it were me, I would begin keeping a journal of my Pup's symptoms and changed behavior to prepare for another vet visit if needed. Sometimes it is the details that can help aid in diagnosis.

    Praying for him as you requested.
     
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  6. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    Today he seems much happier just in general, and wanted to go on his walk. But he got "tired" quicker. He started out really fast and then slowed down near the end. He sped up when we reached our driveway, as if he wanted to go back inside.
    He loves being outside and in the past would be completely content to stay out there for hours. So this is highly unusual.

    This would be the first time I've noticed anything like this with him. Just a week ago he seemed pretty normal. I don't know if arthritis can set in that quickly.
     
  7. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Questdriven, try these...


    [​IMG]

    We give the healthy joints(one on far right) to our pug. She seems to have an issue if she jumps off the couch. She will soon be eight, and she is on her second 'limping episode' from jumping off the couch. The vet gave us a two weeks supply of carprofen(25mg). They helped her before. They cost $21.28 for 28 pills. But your vet may be cheaper or higher. Ask your vet if carprofen would help her, provided it's joint and not, heart related. I'll be praying for both you and your fur baby.
     
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  8. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    I love labs.
     
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  9. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    Here are pictures of mine (both of these are several years old, my harddrive with more recent pictures died last year, and the only "current" ones I have now were taken on an iPod with a crappy lens):
    297807_119295321511820_2018035131_n.jpg 300168_389690707805612_336704373_n.jpg

    Think he is a Papillon/Shetland Sheepdog mix.
     
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  10. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    It doesn't matter the breed. Those 'Heinz 57's' seem to make the best pets.

    I'd walk through a burning building to save our pug.
     
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  11. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Questdriven, please keep us abreast of your furbaby's health.
     
  12. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    We walked longer yesterday than the day before, he slowed down more than normal on the way back. Someone suggested maybe barometric pressure has been affecting him, we are having a front come through right now. Also it's cold, and the days have been getting progressively warmer. (Maybe the cold was affecting him, and he has seemed to feel progressively better each day.)
    He seems pretty normal right now. We haven't had today's walk yet. I have to leave for work soonish, my brother will be the one walking him today.
     
  13. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    I looked it up, and you can give a dog baby aspirin. (Whereas other OTC meds are a no-no as some are toxic. Aspirin is toxic to cats, but not dogs.) If he seems to be in pain again I will give him one. I don't think it's meant for long term use, so if this problem persists I will see the vet.
     
  14. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    I would confirm this with a call to your vet. Mostly for the dosage.

    Glad that he seems better.
     
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  15. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Ask your vet if carprofen would help him. I don't think it's very expensive either. Be careful with aspirin. Aspirin is used in heart patients to help keep their blood from clotting...clotting comes in two 'stages', and aspirin works to hinder 'stage' two in the clotting process. Too much could give him troubles.
     
  16. Internet Theologian

    Internet Theologian Well-Known Member

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    One of the most difficult things we have had to do is put our dog down several months ago. She was perfectly healthy but turned aggressive and bit for the last time. Still she grew on all of us, it took a lot for me not to turn around and go get her before the vet euthanized her after dropping her off.
     
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  17. evenifigoalone

    evenifigoalone Well-Known Member

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    He was very eager for his walk today. My brother said he still slowed down way more than normal on the way back, so much so that he looked like he was heeling. That isn't normal for him, but he seems fine and happy.
     
  18. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Thanks for the update.
     
  19. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Any improvement in your poochie? Please keep us up to date.
     
  20. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    I've been treating old arthritic dogs with aspirin for years. It's a wonder drug if dosed correctly. I use uncoated 325 mg aspirin and a pill splitter (split 4 ways 81 mg each) and conceal it in cheese or chunk of spam. Large Anatolian Shepherd takes a full aspirin once daily, small Papillion takes quarter aspirin once daily. Both would have no life at all were it not for this NSAID.

    Don't use coated aspirin. With dogs, it drastically reduces the effectiveness of the medication.
     
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