View Full Version : Dog acting strange.. Is it time up for her?
*Downer subject be warned*
Took forever to settle my geeza dog down tonight. Just kept roaming the yard digging (like digging it's own grave) and then drinking bulk water. Hasn't thrown up or anything, just drooling and frothing a bit. It has suffered from pancreatitis the last few years and it's on a strict diet. Seen it allot worse than this and it's pulled through ok so we're putting off taking it the vet just yet. It's just worrying coz these are such different symptoms than before. Have never seen it drink so much water. So strange...
It's still agile and alert (well for it's age of over 15), but yeah. Killer decision to make and i know the time is gonna come soon..
Has anyone else had to make this tough decision before and how did you know?
i had to put down my labrador when he was 15, I was 15 also, grew up with him. one day his hip must have broken because he could not get up or walk (he preivously needed help, and before that couldnt walk up the stairs)
(one of) the hardest things having to take him into the vet and saying goodbye. Worst bit was, he knew what was going to happen. Ive seen labrador eyes but he had a look that would break anyone. :(
Yakky Bear
22-05-2009, 09:52 PM
i had to put down my labrador when he was 15, I was 15 also, grew up with him. one day his hip must have broken because he could not get up or walk (he preivously needed help, and before that couldnt walk up the stairs)
(one of) the hardest things having to take him into the vet and saying goodbye. Worst bit was, he knew what was going to happen. Ive seen labrador eyes but he had a look that would break anyone. :(
man i hear ya i had a blue heeler x kelpie ,best dog i've ever had he was only 7 had to put him down cause of cancer. he knew he was going as well had that look in his eyes.... that shits tough
we are about to have to do it now....
got 5 dogs, and 3 are 14-15yrs old
one of the oldest is totally deaf, covered in fatty tumour-like lumps on his belly, and can only see about 30cm in front of him
he loses his balance very easily too :(
he is ok atm, but we are moving at the end of next month and i dont think he will be coming with us as he lost his vision at this place, so he kinda knows where things are (ie end of verandah, and fences etc) but if we go to a new place he will be all confused and stuff.
plus we might be moving interstate so we just cant take him with us
the other 2 old ones are still pretty active/healthy so we can take them, and the 2 young ones are fine
hell devo about it though, coz we've had him 14 yrs, and he is still a bit active. like he runs around a bit, and chases the other dogs when playing fetch (he cant see the ball anymore :( )
just one of those decisions where you just have to grit your teeth and do it
i know he will pass on soon - like maybe 6-12mths to go
but i hate the fact that i have to make the decision to end his life early, even if by only a few months/days :(
So fucking depressing.. Same boat as most of you guys. It was 15 in January, and i'm only 22. So most of my childhood/growing up that i can remember was spent with this dog. I lived on a 7 acre property for at least half of it's life too. Boy did we get up to some mischief...
It's a blue healer x kelpie also. But you can throw out the window any violent/aggro stereotypes you've heard about healers with this dog. Most placid natured animal we've come across.
JAM3S
22-05-2009, 10:17 PM
went through this last week with my labrador. he got bloat which is where the stomach swells up and puts pressure on all the other organs and scans revealed his stomach had twisted aswell which is pretty much game over had to make the tough decision and put him down, by far the hardest thing i have ever had to do
Brett_J
22-05-2009, 10:33 PM
Sounds like urine blockage, is it peeing?
that or could be a spider bite of some sort or form of poisoning? lots of water intake is usually a sign of that i think, id be taking to a vet asap regardless they are shit calls to have to make but even if its just to get an all clear and make sure the pooch is still comfy and if not then yeh decision time i spose.... :(
Rantopotamus
22-05-2009, 11:29 PM
if shes still alert and drinking water than i doubt its time yet!
chris260
22-05-2009, 11:45 PM
Found this, could help.
I would take her to a VET ASAP. Balcatta are open all hours.
Balcatta Veterinary Hospital
59 Erindale Road
Balcatta WA 6021
Phone: 08 9345 4644
If your dog drinks excessively, it could be because he is suffering one of the following. Be acutely aware when they do this.
CAUSES:
Pain, stress, heat exhaustion(dehydration), illness(vomiting and dehydration), kidney failure or disease.
PAIN and STRESS
These cause an increase in heart rate and respiration which in turn causes the body temperature to rise. The dog pants to cool down and has to drink a lot to keep its mouth wet so evaporation can take place. Also a full stomach has a feeling of contentment that physiologically eases the dog’s discomfort. If you can’t see an obvious reason for this take your dog to the vet A.S.A.P.
HEAT EXHAUSTION.
You can assist your dog to cool down by bringing it into your bath and standing it in cold water, sponge the dog down especially the head, groin and armpit areas.
The skin is thin and less hair helps the blood cool faster.
The toe pads are also a heat release area. If it does not cause more stress and discomforts try to lay the dog down into the water in a ‘drop’ position, not a flank (side) position.
Keep drinking water available but restrict it in intervals so the dog does not gorge it and then vomit it back again. You have to think for your dog. The dog is under stress and does not know any better.
Keep offering water to drink, as the dog becomes more comfortable. Also use a cooling fan on the dog. If the condition of the dog is not improving wet it down all over and ring your vet for any further advice then take to the Vet ASAP.
DO NOT WRAP UP! As it will prevent HEAT evaporation!
If your dog does improve allow time for it to stabilize, before taking to your vet for a check up. Always make sure where ever your dog is, that it has adequate water supply and air flow at all times. Cars are deadly for dogs in summer, they are mobile ovens even with the windows down. A shady tree is a much safer idea.
ILLNESS
Often a dog will drink when it has Vomiting, Diarrhea, or any general gastric illness. The dog does not know when to stop and that excessive amounts are detrimental to its recovery. Veterinary attention may be needed. If the dog is vomiting and drinking you must take the water away until the vomiting ceases. If the dog becomes worse seek veterinary attention immediately. Try gradually re-introducing small amounts of water again and fast the dog from all food for 24hrs.
Feed only small bland meals after that.
KIDNEYS
Acute (sudden) or Chronic (gradual) kidney failure or disease can cause a change in the dogs drinking habits depending on how toxic (sick) the dog is. Sometimes they do drink excessively but also they may not drink at all. Drinking in excess will also cause an increase in urinating.
The dog also shows signs of lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, poor appetite, a rough harsh coat, bad breath and anemia.
Veterinary attention is needed. Blood tests and Urine tests, will help show up the problem. Treatment involves replacing lost body fluids and electrolytes also antibiotics, drugs to stop vomiting, anabolic steroids for recovery, weight gain and repair of the kidney damage and vitamins.
Monitoring of blood and urine levels has to be done until the dog stabilizes.
Your vet will then explain about how to care for the kidney-damaged dog. Dietary changes, medicines will help ease the strain on your dogs’ kidneys. These are avoiding meat, eggs, cheese and bones.
chris260
22-05-2009, 11:49 PM
It could be STRESS.
Does your dog hate thunder, I have not heard any tonight but just the weather change may have upset him/her.
Digging holes is a sign of stress.
Hope he/she is ok
CR
Thanks for the general concern fellas. Yeah Balcatta is where we were gonna take it. Problem was, it wasn't a matter of deciding to take it to the vet or not. It was a matter of deciding to take it the vet to be put to sleep.
It still looks too alert and healthy for that, so me and my family collectively decided to hold out a lil longer in hopes it'll come around.. I just went and checked on it. It was sleeping out back with it's eyes open. I thought it was dead. Scared the hell outta me when it got up. Still not 100% though, wandering around dopey with tail between it's legs.
I swear the thing has 9 lives like a cat. When it was young, it ate rat poison (under the supervision of my useless uncle). Swallowed a bee and got stung internally. Had a supposed cancerous lump cut out of it's ear (guess it wasn't cancerous though coz it's still going). And the pancreas operation a few years back which almost did it in.
Eh, we'll see what happens in the morning.
ho57ile
23-05-2009, 03:16 AM
Sorry to hear this dude, i had an old border collie x lab, had a stroke one summer arvo and we took him to the vet.
Sadest day of my life, old bloke had an innings of 18 years and i swear the way he looked at me he was saying goodbye, was doing it tough for a few months, incontinence, arthritis etc... He was as much a part of my family growing up as my mum/dad/sister.
I hope your pup is ok, i understand how painful it is to see them go through this and think about what you might have to do.
SINISTR
23-05-2009, 06:18 AM
hey mate... based on what you've said - and im not a vet or anything but from previous experience - I think the dog is basically shit scared of the weather. Dogs react differently to us, they sense weather earlier - they are scared of thunder and lightning and sometimes this develops at an old age too. Even if its never done that before - it can just happen.
By digging holes its thinking it can hide from it, drinks lots of water because by being scared its temperature is alot higher and obviously resting with its eyes close because its scared to close them...
I'd say stay with it as long as you can, try and calm it down even tho its probably not going to understand whats happening but at least the comfort is there if it needs it.
Its one of the saddest things you have to do, but its great that you actually get the choice when you know your dogs in pain and no longer wants to live. Unlike humans we are made to suffer in pain until we die.
ovaxitd
23-05-2009, 07:14 AM
bud missus family had to do this with their old boy of bout 15/16 yers... lost all function in back end and game over.... we recon the best thing that we did was get mobile vet over and give him green mile in his surrounding.... able to have whole family with him in last minutes....at home... where he liked... the memory stays with you forever so the better the memories... the vet took him away and had him crmated for us too... costs a little but means alot... you can choose a little grave stone that they put it into... just a heads up..... good luck and remember the fun times.... better they be in no pain.....
i own 2 great danes and they are like people/// its hitting me now that they only live up to 10 max on overage bout 7-9 years.... ones just about 3 and others 2 so almost half way through their life.... you gotta do wats best for them... not you...
BOSS 290
23-05-2009, 08:06 AM
Take you dog to the Vet bloke. It might be something simple such as describe in the other posts. If you ignore it though it might be fatal for your dog.
Tahlia
23-05-2009, 09:11 AM
Taking it to the vet doesnt mean you have to decide to put it down or not. J
Just take it in and find out whats wrong first!!
Skrappy
23-05-2009, 09:14 AM
Take you dog to the Vet bloke. It might be something simple such as describe in the other posts. If you ignore it though it might be fatal for your dog.
x2: Putting off going to the vet might actually be killing your dog..
If it needs to be put down.. generally i'd say it's for good reason to prevent suffering.
Either way: vet advice > car forums advice
Halle Terry
23-05-2009, 09:18 AM
Fark reading this makes me preety upset, I lost my dog about 2 years ago to lung cancer, I dont think I could really prepare myself for having to put her down, but when the time came it was fucking hard to deal with.
There's only a few times in his life when a man should cry, losing a dog is definatly one of those.
Like others have said, take her to the vet first, find out what's the deal, if it's her time, then it's her time, like Tristian said, do what's best for them, not you.
Blueraven
23-05-2009, 09:24 AM
my dog was acting funny a few weeks ago, barfed a couple times...drank a pile of water...barfed that.
6hrs and 4k later he had swallowed one of his toys that got stuck, he now has an 8inch scar on his belly.
Slip_
23-05-2009, 09:44 AM
Vet, straight up.
You'd know if she was going, nothing wrong with being cautious though.
Ive seen out a few of my dogs, best thing you can do is pick their time early for them with good Vet advice and dont let them go a day overdue.
Yakky Bear
23-05-2009, 09:52 AM
hope it pulls through for you mate i know how hard it is ...fingers crossed for ya!
MISS 13B
23-05-2009, 10:08 AM
Aww Pav, that's not good to hear hey.
But yeah, take it to the vet, fingers crossed it's something minor or nothing at all!
I think most of us have been in this situation before.
LNYMRKO
23-05-2009, 11:02 AM
Sorry to hear mate, hope she pulls through ok!
I havn't experienced this, but I know I will eventually.. I've had my dog for about 12 years and he's starting to show signs of age. He's still fit and healthy (for now) but I know eventually what will have to happen, its only a matter of time. Hopefully its a long while away, but I'm fucking dreading that day :(
BOSS 290
23-05-2009, 11:05 AM
I had to take both my cats to the vets - one Monday and one yesterday. Both had been in fights with a presumed cat and developed abscess. Left untreated it would have probably killed them both due to the proximity of the injuries near their lungs. $1200 later and both have been treated.
Let's just say I'm getting a cat trap to catch the fucker responsible for their injuries......
ossie_21
23-05-2009, 11:31 AM
My dog (male whippet) got sick & could barely stand up, dehydrated because he couldn't get up to drink water so we had to pour it over his mouth pretty much. Took him to the vet & were thinking operation or to put him down because he was getting old...stayed overnight at the vet for tests & had a heart attack during the night & died :( Was so bad to see your pet go from being normal to being that sick within a couple of months of having to put our other dog down (female rotti)
Weird combo but they were the best mates hahaha, always playing together, lying down together & never eating each others food!
Brett_J
23-05-2009, 11:50 AM
My dog (male whippet) got sick & could barely stand up, dehydrated because he couldn't get up to drink water so we had to pour it over his mouth pretty much. Took him to the vet & were thinking operation or to put him down because he was getting old...stayed overnight at the vet for tests & had a heart attack during the night & died :( Was so bad to see your pet go from being normal to being that sick within a couple of months of having to put our other dog down (female rotti)
I know that feeling well, my dog was bouncy as hell the day before then this:
Recently I got both my dogs vaccinated and sterilised
The 6 year old rotti x mastiff x ridgeback never recovered, she got worse right after the op, I took her to murdoch where they did there best to fix her, but the kidney damage was too much from some "mysterious" illness,In the end I had to put her down, was the hardest thing to do,it fucked me for days I still blame the shit vets at Hanley Vets in maddington, The younger one had complications with the stitches and had to go back 3 times for thwem to sort it, fucking useless vet rang me after they found out about my other dog and said it was some disease probably, I nearly drove there and stabbed him.
Murdoch were awesome, they offered to have her cremated and the ashes spread around the uni gardens for me, even sent me a small piece of clay with my dogs name and footprint embossed in it.
I found out later a friend of my girlfriend took her dog to Hanly for a sterilisation, and the dog never came home, then they had the cheek to phone them later for the bill!
FUCK HANLEY VET CLINIC
fark brett this wasnt your big black gurl was it?? we seen that time at ur place before we left down south in the pathfinder?
Smoked
23-05-2009, 12:24 PM
reading this stuff just makes me dread the day my dog passes. i know ill be a mess.. i have a shihzu maltese cross, he was the runt of the pack, so hes small, and puppy like, even at 10 years old he still looks and acts like a puppy.
apparently small dogs dont live too much older than 10/ 11ish..
every time i come home without fail hes there hell happy to see me n shit, not like anyone else in my house lol
the first dog i had we got for free it was a german short haired pointer, and itd been abused previously and was pretty messed up so we ended up having to give her away to a guy who had multiple short haired pointers who could help her out a bit better than we could.
Brett_J
23-05-2009, 12:47 PM
fark brett this wasnt your big black gurl was it?? we seen that time at ur place before we left down south in the pathfinder?
Nah you met Bella, she's the baby.
Ollie was the other one.
JAM3S
23-05-2009, 04:33 PM
Murdoch were awesome, they offered to have her cremated and the ashes spread around the uni gardens for me, even sent me a small piece of clay with my dogs name and footprint embossed in it.
yer murdock are pretty good exspensive for after hours but you know your pets getting the best care possible.
they also sent as a card out with the dogs footprint on it was a nice touch i thought!
INSINR8R
23-05-2009, 06:16 PM
My dog went to the eternal sleep a few months ago, she was 14 and had Cushions Disease. Was diagnosed about 6 or so months before she passed on.
During that time, she ate fuck all, drank like a fish and slowly her walking and health deteriorated. After a while, I had to pick her up because she couldn't walk, then the decision was made to let her go peacefully. I miss my dog but when their time is up, it is better to ease their pain than let them die in pain.
A friend of mine is a Vet Nurse at Kinsgway Vet and she organised for my dog to be cremated and given back to us.
My mum put my dogs ashes in a round box with a star on the lid in our family room. (The ashes are in a bag inside another bag inside the box)
Oh, link to Cushions Disease: http://www.pethealth.com.au/index.cfm?Do=View.Page&PageID=275
Blueraven
23-05-2009, 10:26 PM
dont EVER go to the vet clinic in bentley on manning rd.
I cant even type out what happened when i had to get my dog put down there, but holy shit trust me dont go there.
1JZVL
23-05-2009, 11:03 PM
Pav your dog is cool, I reckon he's funny ;)
Although drinking so much in such shitty (wet and cold) weather, how strange.
I say just "wing it" and keep going, hopefully everything is fine and best of luck
let me know how it goes.
I think Chris260 and SINISTR got it right there. It must have been stress from the weather yesterday. It's always been an outside dog, rail hail or shine, with no issues, so the thought never crossed our minds. We just assumed it was something to do with it's illness.
It was all tuckered out today from digging and roaming last night so it slept most of the day. I bought it home a bunch of leftovers from work tonight and it's eaten that up. Kinda back to normal activity then, which is good news. Seems it will live on happily a little bit longer!
Miss13b, i saw your new pup the other day, what a lil rebel! And Ben, talk tomorrow. I might be able to help service the camrydoor late afternoon.
Thanks again all.
MISS 13B
25-05-2009, 07:48 AM
Miss13b, i saw your new pup the other day, what a lil rebel!
Haha she's crazy!
I'm sure you would have got smothered by her, she see's everyone as her own personal pat giver :lol:
Good to hear everything is OK with yours :)
SINISTR
25-05-2009, 08:51 AM
Good to hear :)
We had a German Short Haired Pointer back in Poland and we lived in an apartment block - she used to tear up the carpet to try and hide during bad weather and rested with her eyes open too...
A dog might never be scared but one day it just happens. Don't expect it to be a one off either mate, its likely to happen again unfortunately. Just make sure someone can be there, to just keep an eye on the dog so it doesn't hurt itself.
Roobiks
25-05-2009, 10:02 PM
There's only a few times in his life when a man should cry, losing a dog is definatly one of those.
QFT.
Slip_
25-05-2009, 10:14 PM
Strong quote.
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