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(Mother Nature Network) Interesting Tips for helping your dog to age gracefully. Apparently getting him a toupee and a Corvette doesn't cut it   (mnn.com) divider line 52
More: Interesting, exhaustion, blood tests, Yellowstone, arthritis, dogs, supplements, puppy  
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4755 clicks; posted to Main » on 10 Mar 2010 at 6:07 PM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!



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Pud [TotalFark]
2010-03-10 02:58:26 PM
Apparently getting him a toupee and a Corvette doesn't cut it


x09.xanga.com


It doesn't hurt subby, it doesn't hurt
 
I_Am_Weasel [TotalFark]
2010-03-10 04:48:56 PM
Get 'im the trophy woof.
 
PeppaJack
2010-03-10 05:30:40 PM
Pud: Apparently getting him a toupee and a Corvette doesn't cut it

It doesn't hurt subby, it doesn't hurt

lol

/+1
 
The Stealth Hippopotamus [TotalFark]
2010-03-10 06:10:40 PM
just get him a hot biatch.


/filter should let me get away with it.
 
pounddawg
2010-03-10 06:11:23 PM
You want to do something nice for your friend at the "end" Let them go when they give you the "look" Don't make them suffer at the end.
 
the_chief
2010-03-10 06:12:37 PM
FTA: "Contrasting colors make balls and plush pull toys easier for older eyes to track down."

I've always hear dogs are color-blind.
 
skinink
2010-03-10 06:16:54 PM
Do not let Lindsey "Milkaholic" Lohan near your dog.
 
NotLinky
2010-03-10 06:18:18 PM
Forget all that. When my biatch turns ten I'm going to trade her in for two fives.
 
OttoisKing
2010-03-10 06:20:08 PM
What gracefully aging dogs may look like. (the one on the right is 3, but the middle and left are 8 and 12)

img.photobucket.com
 
Danger Avoid Death
2010-03-10 06:20:15 PM
the_chief: FTA: "Contrasting colors make balls and plush pull toys easier for older eyes to track down."

I've always hear dogs are color-blind.

Yet they alway manage to stick their noses in my contrasting-colored balls.
 
sprint99
2010-03-10 06:20:26 PM
farm4.static.flickr.com
 
OttoisKing
2010-03-10 06:24:53 PM
img.photobucket.com
Just gonna post photos of my senior weens. :) Otto, the King and Herman the Old. (and Austin the Black almost Invisible I didn't even notice in the pic)
 
OttoisKing
2010-03-10 06:27:23 PM
img.photobucket.com
 
pounddawg
2010-03-10 06:29:46 PM
wag more, bark less.
 
lilistonic
2010-03-10 06:57:45 PM
On Monday, our 10 year-old American Foxhound is getting another old man checkup. They keep him all day and draw blood and stuff. He's already diabetic and blind, maybe because of whatever he was given during his early life in a heart lab, but he's about as fit as he can be otherwise, so I hope there isn't any new hidden info to come out. I'd have to tell the kids, you know? Already I'm gently reminding them that a Foxhound life span is usually 11-13...

Here he is enjoying a carrot. In my hall instead of in his bowl.
a4.vox.com
 
calm like a bomb
2010-03-10 07:25:28 PM
Didn't RTFA, but here you go:

1. Fat=bad.
2. Better quality food is better. Alpo is the dog version of hot dogs and velveeta.
3. If you ever find yourself using the phrase "He's just getting old", it's time for a checkup. Something has changed, and that could be important.
4. Your vet makes recommendations about diagnostics and treatment because that's what's in your pet's best interest. Actually listen, rather than launching into a tirade about costs.
 
listentotheducks
2010-03-10 07:50:45 PM
i3.photobucket.com

Alli, 7 and a half years old (I think she was 6 or so when the photo was taken). Going to have to be put down tomorrow due to liver failure.

/yes, dammit, there's something in my eye.
 
DIGITALgimpus
2010-03-10 08:11:22 PM
It surprises me how many feed their dogs nothing but table scraps... and wonder why their dogs die after a few years of heart failure.

A few of my relatives had smaller dogs go 15+ years very healthy... but their diets were mostly rice, boiled chicken breast, + pre measured daily allotment of dog treats.

Table scraps were (and still are) very limited, and really a treat more than anything else.

There dogs generally ended lives with hip problems, blind/deaf (making quality of life hard).


Yea, dogs in the wild ate meat... but every few days... and they worked hard for it. Your dog sits there and licks it's own ass most of the day. Big difference.
 
burgle23
2010-03-10 08:33:46 PM
listentotheducks: Alli, 7 and a half years old (I think she was 6 or so when the photo was taken). Going to have to be put down tomorrow due to liver failure.

/yes, dammit, there's something in my eye.

Extremely sorry to hear about your pretty girl there. I think as long as she gets to see you while she passes, she'll be happy.

This is my awesome pup, Schmoppo. She's somewheere between 8 and 10, (found her on the street and she jumped into my car).
i302.photobucket.com
She's a little overweight for her breed, chronic ear infections, and has been doing this odd grumbling thing for the past few months. I guess she's due for a checkup. I try not to think of her leaving me but she'll probably last a couple more years, and i'm a better person for having known her.
 
Ramen_Hotep
2010-03-10 08:56:10 PM
She's a little overweight for her breed, chronic ear infections, and has been doing this odd grumbling thing for the past few months. I guess she's due for a checkup. I try not to think of her leaving me but she'll probably last a couple more years, and i'm a better person for having known her.

My hound mix had chronic ear infections, too. It turned out to be a result of allergies. He is allergic to beef and wheat. After two years of miserable infections, he is now perfectly healthy. You may want to look into that.
 
Caturday Nite Fever
2010-03-10 09:07:10 PM
It doesn't hurt subby, it doesn't hurt


i83.photobucket.com

Agrees.
 
calm like a bomb
2010-03-10 09:13:09 PM
DIGITALgimpus: It surprises me how many feed their dogs nothing but table scraps... and wonder why their dogs die after a few years of heart failure.

Not exactly a correlation as far as cardiovascular disease, but it certainly does lead to fat dogs with more metabolic problems, and a lot of gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. I also think it correlates to overall living conditions- if your dumb ass continues to feed table food despite all the readily available information that says you shouldn't, then you're probably doing something else wrong that can lead to health problems.
 
kokomo61
2010-03-10 09:14:00 PM
There are few things more noble than an old dog.

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
 
Danger Avoid Death
2010-03-10 09:14:05 PM
calm like a bomb: DIGITALgimpus: It surprises me how many feed their dogs nothing but table scraps... and wonder why their dogs die after a few years of heart failure.

Not exactly a correlation as far as cardiovascular disease, but it certainly does lead to fat dogs with more metabolic problems, and a lot of gastroenteritis and pancreatitis.

And worse. Dog farts.
 
BeccaWecca
2010-03-10 09:18:08 PM
Getting a food with glucosamine and chondroitin mixed in is not the best idea -- the heat that goes into processing dog food destroys those nutrients. Instead go with a separate supplement and you will know that they are getting the levels they need.
 
Adingo8mybb
2010-03-10 09:22:14 PM
listentotheducks: Alli, 7 and a half years old (I think she was 6 or so when the photo was taken). Going to have to be put down tomorrow due to liver failure.

/yes, dammit, there's something in my eye.

So sorry. I have a 22 year old cat in Chronic Renal Failure and I know I'm not going to have her with me much longer. Right now, her disease seems to not be bothering her, too much...but, the moment I think she's suffering...I'll do the same as you. Again...sorry about your pretty girl.
 
URAPNIS
2010-03-10 09:23:17 PM
i108.photobucket.com

My 12 pounder. Table scraps? Sometimes. Definitely not a daily occurrence.
 
Danger Avoid Death
2010-03-10 09:33:04 PM
URAPNIS: My 12 pounder. Table scraps? Sometimes. Definitely not a daily occurrence.

Oooh. Free DirecTV.
 
NannyStatePark
2010-03-10 09:42:10 PM
I have an eleven year old dog, 50 pound hunting hound, and she can still run like a greyhound, the only thing is she keeps getting ear mites lately. I do give her small portions of table scraps, unless they have an ingredient that is directly harmful to dogs like onions or raisins. She eats Purina One Lamb and Rice because her brother has allergies, rawhides, real beef bones from meat I cook, and she will steal pizza with no remorse whatsoever. I don't encourage her to eat junk, but with two kids she does eat more "people" food than she "should" and she's awesome. I don't do any extruded treats, or anything for fleas that isn't pyrethrin based. I think it's hilarious when people diss giving dogs table scraps and hand them a Beggin' Strip.
 
Danger Avoid Death
2010-03-10 09:43:53 PM
NannyStatePark: have an eleven year old dog, 50 pound hunting hound, and she can still run like a greyhound, the only thing is she keeps getting ear mites lately. I do give her small portions of table scraps, unless they have an ingredient that is directly harmful to dogs like onions or raisins.

Or Hot Pockets.

/which are harmful to everything
 
URAPNIS
2010-03-10 09:47:04 PM
Danger Avoid Death: URAPNIS: My 12 pounder. Table scraps? Sometimes. Definitely not a daily occurrence.

Oooh. Free DirecTV.

HA! Took me a second. But I got it! Damn funny.


And true!
 
bonehead800
2010-03-10 09:53:04 PM
calm like a bomb:
3. If you ever find yourself using the phrase "He's just getting old", it's time for a checkup. Something has changed, and that could be important.



Very much THIS. Age itself isn't a disease... if your dog is doing something he didn't before (crying when he gets up, peeing in the house, etc) it's NOT because he's getting old, it's because something is going on that very well may be addressable. A lot of those cases, it's possible to restore a good quality of life. That's why I have a "are you SURE you don't want us to check it out?" talk with every owner that brings an older animal in for euthanasia. Every once in a while, you catch something treatable that can result in a few more months (or years, in rarer cases) of good quality of life.


/pisses me off even more when it comes from other vets
// Note: The presence of some degree of renal disease in a 14 year old cat is not an automatic death sentence, asshats.
///suspect Calm there is a better vet than I, but wanted my 2 cents in anyway!


 
jessicat
2010-03-10 09:54:59 PM
I have a 14 year old lab that came with the house my parents are renting. In the last few months I've been caring for him he's dropped to a healthy weight and is on tylenol twice daily for his arthritis. I never saw him do more than a slow limp in the first month I was here. Now with the tylenol he runs on the leash and bounces in the house and acts like he'll live another four years. Probably won't, but at least he'll be happier now that he sleeps in my room and gets walked 4-5 times a day. Exercise and pain relief turned him into a totally different dog.
 
calm like a bomb
2010-03-10 10:00:08 PM
bonehead800: ///suspect Calm there is a better vet than I, but wanted my 2 cents in anyway!

Eh, judging by your profile pics, I'm just better seasoned. And good luck with zoomed- that's a bastard hard residency to get.
 
trillium13
2010-03-10 10:02:08 PM
jessicat: I have a 14 year old lab that came with the house my parents are renting. In the last few months I've been caring for him he's dropped to a healthy weight and is on tylenol twice daily for his arthritis. I never saw him do more than a slow limp in the first month I was here. Now with the tylenol he runs on the leash and bounces in the house and acts like he'll live another four years. Probably won't, but at least he'll be happier now that he sleeps in my room and gets walked 4-5 times a day. Exercise and pain relief turned him into a totally different dog.

Tylenol=bad for your dog

Dogs are not just small people, they can't take people drugs. Your vet has proper meds for that.
 
CruJones
2010-03-10 10:03:28 PM
This article made me a little sad. My golden is 8 now and going gray. Other than that I can't tell a difference from when he was three. Maybe having another younger dog helps keep him young.
 
ChadManMn
2010-03-10 10:07:53 PM
listentotheducks: Alli, 7 and a half years old (I think she was 6 or so when the photo was taken). Going to have to be put down tomorrow due to liver failure.

/yes, dammit, there's something in my eye.

Sorry to hear that man. I had to put our 14 y/o White Shepherd down last November. It was very hard and it took me months to make the decision. I hope I didn't make her suffer, but how do you know? she didn't have any major problems, just a lot of age related stuff that added up. When her hip completely dislocated it was obvious that she was worn out.

/something in my eye too
//best of luck to you
 
calm like a bomb
2010-03-10 10:11:00 PM
ChadManMn: Sorry to hear that man. I had to put our 14 y/o White Shepherd down last November.

14yo for a GSD is freakin' fantastic. While I'm sorry for your loss, you should congratulate yourself on the role you played in keeping her healthy.
 
ChadManMn
2010-03-10 10:17:20 PM
calm like a bomb: ChadManMn: Sorry to hear that man. I had to put our 14 y/o White Shepherd down last November.

14yo for a GSD is freakin' fantastic. While I'm sorry for your loss, you should congratulate yourself on the role you played in keeping her healthy.

I really appreciate that. It's still hard for me to think about her, but I like to think that we gave her a good life. I know she certainly had some fun times and we loved her a lot.

Anyway, thanks for the comment.
 
NannyStatePark
2010-03-10 10:28:56 PM
trillium13: jessicat: I have a 14 year old lab that came with the house my parents are renting. In the last few months I've been caring for him he's dropped to a healthy weight and is on tylenol twice daily for his arthritis. I never saw him do more than a slow limp in the first month I was here. Now with the tylenol he runs on the leash and bounces in the house and acts like he'll live another four years. Probably won't, but at least he'll be happier now that he sleeps in my room and gets walked 4-5 times a day. Exercise and pain relief turned him into a totally different dog.

Tylenol=bad for your dog

Dogs are not just small people, they can't take people drugs. Your vet has proper meds for that.

Most drugs for dogs are used in people as well. My pharmacist fills my dog's prescriptions cheaper than the vet will. Tylenol is safe for dogs at the proper by weight dosage. I prefer asprin because it's anti-inflammatory, but this dog might have a sick stomach. I'm tired of seeing everyone's dog puking up Rimadyl.
 
lilistonic
2010-03-10 11:14:26 PM
trillium13: Dogs are not just small people, they can't take people drugs. Your vet has proper meds for that.

My vet prescribes people insulin for my dog. Also, she knows he likes carrots and apples and says they are good fiber for treats, within a reasonable amount, along with his high-priced old man diabetes food.

His rescuer fed him McDonald's. We've done what we can with him in the past 6 years.

ChadManMn: It's still hard for me to think about her, but I like to think that we gave her a good life. I know she certainly had some fun times and we loved her a lot.

You did your best for her, and she's loved you for it.
 
bonehead800
2010-03-10 11:23:18 PM
calm like a bomb: bonehead800: ///suspect Calm there is a better vet than I, but wanted my 2 cents in anyway!

Eh, judging by your profile pics, I'm just better seasoned. And good luck with zoomed- that's a bastard hard residency to get.

Cheers. I've two more zoo internships that I'm waiting to hear from, then I'll be forced to sell my soul to Banfield for the next year until I can apply again.


CruJonesThis article made me a little sad. My golden is 8 now and going gray. Other than that I can't tell a difference from when he was three. Maybe having another younger dog helps keep him young.


I do think having another dog around helps. My younger golden is 8, the old one is a few months past 13. The older has had both knees operated on and her spleen out, but besides not running flat out and not wanting to do stairs as much, is pretty much the same as she's ever been. I think having the younger one around kept her a lot more active in her advancing age, and she's still in pretty good shape now for it. And the impact on her mental health is pretty solid too!

 
calm like a bomb
2010-03-10 11:47:25 PM
bonehead800: calm like a bomb: bonehead800: ///suspect Calm there is a better vet than I, but wanted my 2 cents in anyway!

Eh, judging by your profile pics, I'm just better seasoned. And good luck with zoomed- that's a bastard hard residency to get.

Cheers. I've two more zoo internships that I'm waiting to hear from, then I'll be forced to sell my soul to Banfield for the next year until I can apply again.

Banfield..............'nuff said. Hope you don't have to go that route.
 
kenny's mom
2010-03-10 11:54:00 PM
Bless all of you Farkers looking out for your senior doggies. Our household lost two rescue hounds in 2009, but they'd gotten the best of care and lived to a good old age (for their breed).

/sorry, something in my eye
//house strangely quiet these days
 
chubes
2010-03-11 12:01:33 AM
img192.imageshack.us

Wally lived to be about 12 years old. Couldn't run in a straight line because of some bum hips. Vicious-sounding until you crossed the threshold. Losing him was the most gut-wrenching, emotionally-draining experience of my life.
 
bonehead800
2010-03-11 12:04:17 AM
calm like a bomb: bonehead800: calm like a bomb: bonehead800: ///suspect Calm there is a better vet than I, but wanted my 2 cents in anyway!

Eh, judging by your profile pics, I'm just better seasoned. And good luck with zoomed- that's a bastard hard residency to get.

Cheers. I've two more zoo internships that I'm waiting to hear from, then I'll be forced to sell my soul to Banfield for the next year until I can apply again.

Banfield..............'nuff said. Hope you don't have to go that route.

Yeah... However, I figure if I'm gonna spend a year doing medicine I don't want to (dogs and cats are nice, but not that interesting to me, and I don't like dealing with owners) I might as well be paid well for doing it. And, around here, they're throwing around the most cash, vacation time, and a 4 day work week so I'd have long weekends to do exotic stuff given the chance. And I'd feel bad about interviewing at a "real" practice and being all "oh, if everything goes well, I'm outta here in a year". I have no problem doing that to evil corporate overlords, though :p


/crossing my fingers for the zoo spots.

 
RealFarknMcCoy2
2010-03-11 05:57:17 AM
Here's a tip which I teach in my classes:
Check the ingredients in any food which you are going to purchase for your pet's consumption. Do a search on google with mtsd:ingredient
This will bring up the material safety data sheet on that ingredient, which tells you if it is carcinogenic and/or unfit for human consumption. If it is unfit for human consumption, DON'T FEED IT TO YOUR PET!

/You're welcome!
//I am a pet first aid & CPR and pet health instructor, so I'm getting a kick, etc.
 
freetomato [TotalFark]
2010-03-11 07:51:35 AM
I had to say goodbye to my 13 year old chocolate lab last September and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Up until about two weeks before then, she'd still chase a tennis ball until it wore me out. I have another chocolate lab whose almost 13 (afraid I'll be repeating this sad process before the year is out with him), an 8 year old Golden Retriever, a 7 year old Rat Terrier, and a less-than-a-year old mutt (German Shepherd/Golden Retriever?) we adopted last year. Having the puppy around definitely injected some puppy-energy into the Golden and the Ratty - they play with her like they were younguns themselves.

One thing I learned with my now-departed little old lady lab - some chiropractors will adjust a dog. After a particularly rambunctious weekend of swimming and tennis ball chasing, she was so sore she was limping. Dr Tuan gave her an adjustment and she was literally bouncing for weeks afterward.
 
burgle23
2010-03-11 01:41:35 PM
Ramen_Hotep: She's a little overweight for her breed, chronic ear infections, and has been doing this odd grumbling thing for the past few months. I guess she's due for a checkup. I try not to think of her leaving me but she'll probably last a couple more years, and i'm a better person for having known her.

My hound mix had chronic ear infections, too. It turned out to be a result of allergies. He is allergic to beef and wheat. After two years of miserable infections, he is now perfectly healthy. You may want to look into that.

Thanks!!! I'll have to bring that up with the vet, but don't tell my wife. That was her suspicion all along.
 
listentotheducks
2010-03-11 10:34:40 PM
Probably no one will come back and read this in this thread now, but I wanted to update. Alli passed this morning on the way to the emergency animal care clinic around 7:00 AM. I'm just glad I drove home from college late last night to be here with her, so I was able to spend a few more hours with her. I'm grateful for that, at least.

Thank you all for your kind words. I really appreciate them.

i3.photobucket.com
 
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