rustyfudge Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Rusty is my 15 and a half year old boy. He has been fighting fit, and me and OH imagined years ahead with him. But yesterday his back legs gave way. This has never happened before and it has come as a massive shock (he has been on metacam for the past year of so). We took him to the vets who ran blood tests (all clear) and gave him a metacam injection and some antibiotics just in case he had an infection. We brought him home and made him comfortable then later in the evening he managed to stand up again. He has been pottering ever since but is a little unsteady. I am sat up with him now and he just wont settle, he is trying lots of different positions, places etc and has been doing since he got back from the vets almost 10 hours ago. He is eating ok but he is clearly very unhappy. I just dont know what to do for him. He seems to be struggling more now than earlier in the evening, could the metacam injection be wearing off? The vet says he may simply be 'worn out' and have given up. I know that the light has gone out of his eyes and the wag from his tail,since yesterday. Im hoping they will come back though. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Rusty is my first dog, so my first experience of old age...... Thank you for reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickentikka Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm sorry to hear about Rusty Old dogs can have blips and wibbles and sometimes they bounce back. Very sadly they don't go on forever thinking of you at this difficult time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyfudge Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm sorry to hear about Rusty Old dogs can have blips and wibbles and sometimes they bounce back. Very sadly they don't go on forever thinking of you at this difficult time thank you, it makes the world of difference to know that Im not alone in this Im hoping he can bounce back, but I dont want him to push on for us. If he's ready to go then I cant keep him here. Its so so hard thought isnt it, Ive been preparing myself for this for years (or so I thought) Im spoon feeding him this morning, but so far, he (and me) have not had more than half an hours sleep. I think a rest would do him good, but he wont settle. Will he be able to sense my sadness, he seems reluctant to sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 my 15 1/2 year old henry has just had a serious brush with death having a prostatic abcess hes still poorly but is fighting a condition that is fatal in 50% of cases at any age. its been touch and go for a week but he seems to have turned the corner now. give him a little time and lots of cuddles he could well surprise you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendbert Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thinking of you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClazUK Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm not a huge fan of Rimadyl as a fix in younger dogs, but it can give a whole new quality of life in oldies. Sometimes it works better than Metacam (and vice versa). Speak to your vet about longer term medication as the Metcam *will* be wearing off. It might also be worth looking at 'tonic' types of medication such as Vivitonin and Activait. I hope this just turns out to be a blip, but 15 is a grand old age for a lot of dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyfudge Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thank you all so very much I hope Henry is soon back to his usual self I will ask the vet about rimadyl and look into the tonics too Rusty is stil much the same, I think he may need to go to the loo as he is very unsettled and circling, he's managed a few wee's I just got a nose nudge which brought a tear to my eye. I usually get lots of nose nudges when Im on the computer, but this was the first since yesterday.... just holding out for a tail wag now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Fingers crossed for a wag soon. I would also ask for more metacam or for rimadyl if he seems to be in discomfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barb Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Sorry about poor Rusty, I hope he soon bounces back to his old self. The nose nudge was encouraging, keeping fingers crossed for a wag soon. to all concerned Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yena Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Senidng you loads of hugs it's not easy, deciding what is the best thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 for you and Rusty. Older dogs do go through rough times and their legs often give way, as in old people, but it is the quality of life that decides when it is time to let go. May you have many more happy times together.x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchlady Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thinking of you both Cher has said what I was going to say too. Kazz xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nettie Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 I do hope this is just a blip for Rusty and he starts to feel better, I too, would ask your vet about Vivotonin, it can really help elderly dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Definitely ask about Vivitonin or Aktivait as well as the pain relief. Agree with everything else that's been said. Hoping Rusty is with you a good while yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyfudge Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 thank you all for your very kind thoughts. Ive asked if the vet can ring when he is free, and I will mention rimadyl and the tonics to him. I just feel like I should be doing more to help and I dont know what to do He has eaten a bit of Chappie, but seems to be finding it difficult to eat, but I dont know why? He is asking to go in the garden but then we go out there he wants to come back in we have both managed a bit of sleep this morning :-) I dont know if he wants cuddles or to be left alone for a bit. If like the vet says he may be, just simply worn out, would lots of sleep not make him better? Has anyone had a dog that wasnt actually poorly but just gave up. I am probably being really dim here, but I didnt realise dogs could die that way Could anyone recommend any tempting treats that I could buy from the shop to help his appetite? they have to be soft! Thank you for reading and for being here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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