My bluetick is already slowing down.

[SarahBeth9394]

She's only 5. So far she's had a tumor on her foot, developed an allergy to fleas, has become prone to hot spots, almost needs to be sedated to bathe, and in the last few months has decided she doesn't want to join in on the daily walk. I've come to the realization that even though her parents were registered she is a bad breeding result. We may already need to make the switch to house dog already. They have great dog houses (double walled and insulated) but she was pretty stiff looking today so I think the cold is getting to her. I'm bummed.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

I called the vet and we agreed to try aspirin for a couple days and begin a regimen of glucosamine and see how she responds to that.

 

[PotterWatch]

That stinks. We have a dog we call the "Old Man" because he always acts like a creaky old guy when you ask him to get off the couch or come when he doesn't want to. He's only 4, but has acted like an old man since he was a puppy. He acts like a puppy when we let him out to run in the pasture though. I will certainly be sad when he actually starts to show his age.

 

[bock]

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[bock]

That must be hard. Sugar is going on 11, you can tell she is getting up there. She has always been an extremely quiet dog, especially for a lab, but now she sleeps most of the day. She still is happy though and loves attention. Other than being slower on walks and sleeping more, she has absolutely no health issues. Very good for a rescue with unknown lineage.

Sabrina is 5 1/2. She is still very active, isn't slowing down a bit. However, last year her muzzle started going grey, she starting to look like an old man.

We are praying for no genetic health issues since she definitely came from a less than ideal background.

My advice would be just to make her happy and comfy and enjoy the time you have.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

I had a stack of old jeans so I put it out in the dog house she was in last night. It's more durable than a blanket so maybe she wont tear it up. But this poor girl is now miserable in the summer and needs flea meds and steriod shots for itching and now she's become miserable in the winter as well. I hope the glucosamine helps because what quality of life is being either stiff or itchy all the time even with meds.

 

[cubalaya]

try advantix or even a vet prescribed flea pill. with no fleas biting the dog, the hot spots and itching will stop. try a more natural dog food, fish and sweet potato, or grain free. add salmon oil to the food. i bet you would have a puppy back on your hands. i have an 11 year old treeing walker that still plays like a pup at times. she has a food allergy that effects her ears. i tried a lot of different dog foods until i found one that worked for her and also all my beagles.

 

[sourland]

As others have noted the skin and flea problems are relatively easily addressed. Arthritic problems in a young dog is an early indicator of Lyme disease. Have you ever had the dog checked?

 

[chicmom]

Aww, that is sad and I can really relate to that. My little Pomeranian, Cosmo, was a result of bad breeding....He had three bad knees, and his trachea would collapse, causing him to "honk" when he got really excited, and also he had a bad back.....He was only 8 and I had to put him down....Too many problems that I couldn't afford to fix.

He was such a wonderful pet....I often called him an obnoxious little brat, but that was affectionately said.....He loved to set on my lap and just adored being petted and loved on......I do think he would listen to me talk and knew what I was saying sometimes......Such a dollbaby.

Anyhow, the gynclosamine worked wonderful, so that may really help your dog. Don't buy the store stuff, get the good stuff from the vet. And if she's made into a house dog, that will probably help immensely.....Asprin does too. You can get the doggy asprins, or a baby asprin will work too.

I wish you the best of luck!
Sharon

 

[sgtmom52]

I'm sorry to hear of all the problems your girl is having and applaud you for wanting to make her comfortable.

We give all three of our dogs Glucosamine at the recommendation of our Vet. Our 14 year old beagle get Dog Glucosamine ~ Dasuquin 600mg ~ which I got he first bottle from the vet (very expensive) now I by it online from Amazon for much cheaper. The beagle is very picky about taking "pills" but will eat this liver flavored tablet like it is a treat. I really have seen improvement in his mobility since he has been taking it & we also took a couple of pounds off of him which helps too.

On the advice of our vet our 2 German Shepherds get the exact same Glucosamine that DH & I take which I buy from Bj's wholesale store. They each get a 1500 mg tablet twice a day in their food. They eat it with no problems in the food or will just eat it from your hand. The GSD's are only 3 but the vet thinks the female may show the early signs of arthritis in her knee, possibly due to an injury (we are unaware of any injury). The other is getting it as a preventive.