Old Dogs

[shergry]

I don't post much here..but know that I do read your lovely posts. And so I begin with saying that I have 3 cairns and they range in ages 16 (1) and 14 (2). I am looking back at their lives and I see it as full filled. They ran crazy as little ones and tested us when they became teenagers (after the age of 2!!). They have traveled across our great states many, many times. Loving every new sniff, every new tree and every person they ever met. Made some new doggie friends, and had a lot of treats from those up-rights!!

As they have aged we found ourselves taking teeth out, one has had the insides of the eye removed (melanoma glacoma; spelling could be wrong, sorry), and now taking off warts and skin tags.

Our oldest has been the least worked on, and the toughest one of the bunch. She literally jumped out of a semi-tractor 5 times...we caught her as best we could...stubborn and hard headed; she never broke a bone. Played with all toys, as long as you were on the other end. She came from a puppy mill, at least we think so the seller would never let us come to her home. She still has a beautiful gate and sit.

Those who met us while we were showing, could not believe she came from a puppy mill - except that she is larger than the acceptable female. Obedient title...sometimes you would not know it...again stubborn.

The real reason I am writing this post...she had the warts removed Monday, and has had a hard time with pain and eating. She has had a few accidents after eating...mind you her middle name is "FOOD". So I could tell that although we make the soft part of the meal, they still get dry. And that is what I think was causing these accidents.

So I get out my food processor and begin grinding up her dry, put some (about 2 1/2 tblsp) in mixing cup add some wet food, milk and water. Get out the mixing stick (wand)...you know those mixers that you can use instead of getting out the blender. So she has had her first "Milk Shake".

I think this is going to work...and from having older parents, grandparents, etc. One learns from past experiences to help those that cannot speak for themselves. I have no problem feeding her 6 little meals a day, as long as she has a good life I will try to help her. She has a lot of problems that she cannot tell us about...so we try to make her as comfortable and happy everyday. She has given us so much, her turn is now! I must get ready for little meal number 3. :-D

[Scruffys Mom]

You are a good mom!!!! The relationship of understanding we have with our dogs is so special. The countless times they have taken care of me . Keep doing what you are doing. Question though, was he anesthetized to remove the warts? Did they have to be removed. I try to avoid all trauma with a senior.

Some would disagree with me on this and cringe, but I study canine diets. When had a sick pup, I would poach chicken till very tender and mash it with polenta. (The polenta would be my guess of agitation with some readers) I home feed and would do this again in a heart beat.

[Idaho Cairns]

"She has given us so much, her turn is now!" Yes! When it is time to "give back" to our older dogs, I hope everyone has your very appropriate and loving attitude toward their senior dogs. Bless you.

[pindrop]

I read your post with tears in my eyes. You are a very kind person and I understand perfectly with your remark on now that they are older, it is your turn to care for them. Thank you for posting such a tribute to elderly dogs. God bless.

[MegsMom]

Why not just give her all canned food instead of doing all that mixing? You can just add some water to that and mash with a fork if you need it thinner--and I'd add some yogurt. Anathsia always seems to upset their tummy/routine and the yogurt with active cultures, helps that get back on track. [if she's taking antibiotics be sure the yogurt is 2 hours apart from the yogurt or antibiotics will kill the cultures in the yogurt rather then them making it to her digestive tract and helping.]

Give her a gentle hug, poor kids just have a harder time handling anesthesia the older they get.

You might have her checked for a UTI, since they withhold water for surgery, I've had the 'patient' have an UTI twice now, right after anesthesia--too coincidental, since they'd had a urinalysis as part of the pre- bloodwork. {I've learned not to withhold the water for as long as the vet says--but I do give it in very limited amounts--works out better for us & the vet agrees.}

[shergry]

As for putting her under...they used a local to make her comfortable and then a topical (pain blocker) on the warts that were being removed. She had nothing the night before surgery so food was not a problem. They did not say if they put a tube down her throat....was going to be used if breathing was a problem. About 2 months ago she had a lot of her teeth removed..so blood work done then was still considered to be current.

When we got home on Monday, she had a little water...waited...then a little more...went that way for most of the evening. Did not want to upset her stomach...and she had regular outdoor visits.

The warts were removed because they were causing her stress. She was really bothered by the one in the corner of her eye and the one on top of her head was bumped coming in and out at the door. She also likes to rub on our bed in her playful mood.

The reason I decided to do all the mixing instead of just going out and buying canned, is the fact we know what is in their food. We decided a long time ago to get as natural of a product in them as we were taking care of ourselves. Not to drop brand names...we use Merrick Senior Dry. Never had a problem with their products...just live in a real rural town now...takes over an hour to get to "good pet stores". So that we can have the dry delivered to our home, we decided to make the wet. As others have posted...mix up their food...chicken, turkey, pork, broccoli, spinach, peas, potato, sweet potato, brown rice, carrots, used to put a pinch of garlic (this was to keep flies, insects from wanting to be near them).

I put milk in the mixture...just a thought that this would not upset her stomach and give a little calcium/protein. Also, I think; cannot say for sure (no testing); that she could have warts or growths on her esophagus. She had a tendency to cough, kinda like myself with allergies, just trying to move what ever was in the throat.

I watch all the (kids) cairns for change in their behavior or eating/drinking. Not to hammer this in....we just feel that if we are going to try and keep ourselves healthy...they deserve this also. They all LOVE carrots, cucumbers, chicken, pork, etc. Whenever my DH (he is the best chef) starts up in the kitchen...he has a following!!

Note: We rescued a kitty in March...and he has shown a dislike to the "kitty food" chicken. Yet, when DH gives his chicken he cooked....not discussion...down the hatch!!

And thank you for all your kind words. She is resting and really liking these small meals...just hope she does not rub it into the others....that she is "Special"!! ;-D

[Kathryn]

Poor babe - don't you wish they could tell us where it hurts? We have also relied on lean chicken and rice when one of the dogs has a hard time eating.

I don't think it's unusual though to try anything such as the "milkshake" you made to keep your girl comfortable. It was a good idea, and I got quite a chuckle at the vision of the dogfood in the blender.

My first dog -- a small terrier "mutt" -- had congestive heart failure at the end of his life, and had to take all sorts of pills, which he was very very good at avoiding. He couldn't eat any "people food" because he was on a salt-free diet. I came home one day to DH (who got the dog when he got me) baking the dog a special soft bread -- salt-free, of course -- in which he could hide the pills because the dog dearly loved bread. It worked. And it's one of the many reasons I decided I am definitely going to keep DH forever!

[hheldorfer]

What an excellent mother you are! I'm familiar with the challenges of caring for an elderly dog; the extra-gentle handling, the special meals - often spooned out while sitting on the floor with the dog, additional trips outside for pee breaks, finding the perfect treat to hide pills in, etc.. It's all worth it when you look in those wise, old eyes that have been with you through thick and thin.

Hugs to you and yours.

[TazTalk]

"so we try to make her as comfortable and happy everyday" ... and that is the perfect thing to do.

We are also in your shoes with a 15-1/2 year old.

As hheldorfer said, we provide all the little extras that they need in their older, daily lives. They are our babies and we love them to pieces.

I wish you the best with all three of your mature, beautiful furkids. Cherish them.

Adrienne

[janis]

I read your post with tears in my eyes. You are a very kind person and I understand perfectly with your remark on now that they are older, it is your turn to care for them. Thank you for posting such a tribute to elderly dogs. God bless.

Beautifully said! I totally agree.

[Hawkeye]

They have been our wonderful pets for so many years, we do owe them all the love and care now. You're an excellent mom. I am face with the same battle right now. Our senior westies is also 15 and is failing. So when you posted this my heart sank and eye fill with tears because I understand only too well. Wishing you all the best.

[Dempsy's Mom]

I really have nothing to add, but wanted let you know you have given them great lives. I love the avatar pic. They look great all together.

[sanford]

Also, I think; cannot say for sure (no testing); that she could have warts or growths on her esophagus.

Sorry to sound a gloomy note, but if she lets you, be sure to examine her mouth and throat, (or have the vet do it). Carrington developed warts in his mouth and esophagus after he turned 16. The growths are insidious and interfere with ability to chew... so that is a symptom to be alert to. They are easy to see.

Bless you for your good care & concern!

[shergry]

Thank you ALL so much for your words of wisdom and support. As for the esophagus...I have tried that question with many a vet (either I was not hearing or they did not answer), but will try again when she gets her stitches out. Cannot feel any warts/growths on the esophagus, as for looking....well will try again...she seems to get "locked jaw" when we try that...we know how to get it open...I think you all know what I mean about "stubborn cairn".

She is feeling a lot better since we went to the "milkshake" food. No more coughing, resting comfortable, the outside visits are good, even a little more energy in the mornings. When you have all 3 energetic in the morning..is that a good thing? YES!! Just have to make time before work to let them play! ;-D