Question by Rachelle: Need help deciding if it is time for my dog?
I need help deciding whether or not to put my 9 year old lab mix to sleep, because my family and I can’t agree on a situation, and would like some opinions. He’s a great dog, and a beloved family member. He has his up’s and downs, but lately things seem to be getting worse. First he has a lot of arthritis in his hips, and has trouble walking most days, and other day’s he’s walking around like nothing’s wrong, and on the days he is in pain and limping, he doesn’t walk too far, have to bring food, water to him. He acts perky when he sees a dog walk by, or he knows he’s going for a ride in the car. But other than that, he acts more depressed, and he doesn’t like going outside much to do his job, because he doesn’t like to walk too far or be outside very long, likes to sleep more than usual. He moans, because he’s in pain, give him aspirin, but that’s only temporary comfort. He acts senile more and more, forgets what were doing, or acts like he can’t hear me when I take him somewhere. He runs away from me when we’re on a walk, when he’s having a good day, like someone once said, maybe he’s running and trying to find that place to die? I would love to wait until he can’t walk anymore, but he’s around 90pds, and a pretty stubborn and testy dog, I couldn’t pick him up and carry him in the vet. Any, helpful opinions would be appreciated, that I could discuss with my family. I just don’t want to let him go because I see him having another bad day, but don’t want him to suffer either or be selfish.
Thank you.

Best answer:

Answer by Dunfilly
Oh, I feel for you! Being a dog owner is like having kids – they’re such a part of the family, and it’s so tough when the time does come… Also, not being about to talk to them seems to make it even worse, because you have no idea what they are feeling or thinking. I would suggest talking with your vet and getting his/her suggestion as well. Sit down with your family (I would include any kids if they are old enough, as the dog is their family as well) and decide if it’s for the best of the dog. If he/she is living a poor quality life right now, it may very well be in his best interest, but again, it’s something that the dog needs to tell you and your family. He’s lived a wonderful life, and only the ones close to him know best. Sending my very best to you and your dog!

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Question by Who cares: Need very soft bedding for dog crates?
My 4 dogs are spoiled. They sleep on those thick “dog pillows” inside their crates at night. The problem is, after a few weeks, not only do the covers need washing, but also the pillows. After 3-4 washings, the pillows fall apart. I was thinking about buying some second hand comforters and using those. They have to be easier to wash! What are your ideas? Do you have any experience with this problem? One has arthritis in his joints, so he definately needs more cushion than the rest. I have 2 cockers in medium sized crates and 2 basset hounds in large crates. They sleep around the house throughout the day, but we put them in the crates at night.

Best answer:

Answer by Tammy2073
http://www.petsmart.com/family/index.jsp?cp=2767032&categoryId=2767065&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2767065&fbc=1&fbn=Taxonomy%7CBeds

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Question by : My dog bit me… again! I need training tips, please!?
I posted last week about how my seven year old golden retriever took a chunk out of my hand while was trying to get a kleenex out of her mouth. Well, since then, we have all been very careful around her, but she has now bitten my mom and dad as well as snapped at my brother for no reason, other than he was carrying a bounce ball in his hand that she apparently wanted to chew up. My whole family is really tired of her nonsense, and while we DON’T want to euthanize her, training doesn’t seem to be having any effect whatsoever. My parents want to sell her on Craigslist (yes they will mention that she bites, as some people pointed out in the other post) and they know a couple of people through other sales ho would be fine with an old, biting dog. I’m really sick of her and I don’t want her hurting my family any more, but I DON’T want to sell her either. She has become a hazard in our household and my family is hesitant about inviting people over because we don’t know what she’ll do. We took her to the vet and she has no health problems whatsoever – no arthritis, no toothache – she is in prime health. So any reason as to WHy on EARTH she is doing this will be appreciated, as will any training tips. But please don’t go yelling at me for saying all this, I DON’T want to kill her and I DON’T want to sell her, but it’s becoming the only option.
Please. Give me something to go on.

Best answer:

Answer by cfelonius
You don’t need just tips, you need to enroll in an obedience class with a professional trainer ASAP.

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Question by Kenneth Alexander born 6/5/10 <3: My dog is very sick, I need advice!!?
hey there. I have a 12 year old pomeranian, and just yesterday she was doing fine! Basically, she has arthritis so she’s on rimadyl (the vet actually lowered her dose from 75mg or 25mg because she’s lost some weight) and also she had to get stitches due to have a cyst that popped and she was prescibed antibiotics.

my dog was on the antibiotics for about 2 weeks and I was supposed to keep her on them until the recheck, which is on Tuesday this week. just this morning I woke up & she had thrown up in 3 different spots, and has been throwing up foam. The vet told me to stop the antibiotics if she throws up – I haven’t given her any of her meds today because she looks SO ill.

I have no idea what to do, she’s sleeping now & she hasn’t thrown up since this morning – but she won’t eat or drink anything and she just looks really crappy even though yesterday she looked perfectly fine.

Please help!
Btw – she’s up to date on all of her shots, there’s no way she could have rabies or any other disease.

Best answer:

Answer by rockstar
Sounds like something you’re going to need to bring up with your vet.

It could be a side effect of the antibiotics, she could have eaten something in your yard that was harmful, basically, you, nor anyone on this site will be able to give a diagnoses.

Try to keep her as hydrated as possible until you can get in to see a vet, or at the very least call one.

Good Luck.

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Question by Trail B: is it true that my miniture weenie dog has back problems that would cause him to cripple up, i need some help.?
My dog is old and for some reason he is acting like he has arthritis, its something to watch him try to get around, someone told me its cause wennie dogs have back problems, just wondering if anyone else’s dog might do the same thing, I dont know what to do with him…

Best answer:

Answer by Tiger
My does does that too when she walks sometimes.
I know she has back problems though because the herniated a disc a couple years ago. Also my dog is 7 and is a toy poodle.

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Question by Shory’s in love!: Problems with new owner of dog, need advice quick!?
So I had an adult Bull Terrier that I loved dearly. Her name was Missy, and my fiance and I owned her for about 6 months. We loved her to bits and peices but I had just started to go to school full time and he did as well, so we did not have enough time to give her as much love and attention she deserved. So I had sold her to a lady who said she knew all about Bull Terriers and loved them. I trusted her word and sold her for $ 200 which is a great price, I did not want to sell her for a lot, pretty much just to get money out of all the supplies that I gave to the lady. About five days after she buys her I got a call from a number that I didn’t recognize so I didn’t answer. Than 1 week later the buyer of my dog called saying she took Missy into the vet, and she has a mild case of Arthritis. She said the vet also thinks she is about ten years old, and I know for a fact she is Three, I have her paper work and all. Before she bought Missy, I told her how terrified she is of vets. Missy would NEVER bite a person, ever! When she is in a vets office, she gets very skiddish and jumpy. When the vet reached to touch her back leg, it hurt her so she jumped. He stated that she TRIED to bite him. Maybe she did, maybe she didn’t, but she than begins to tell me he wants to put her to sleep because of it. I said I would not allow that, and I said I would pay her vet bill, and give her money back, and I would drive down to get her. She agreed, when I called her to find out when I could come down, she lived about 2 hours away, she said Missy had stayed over night at the vets office, because the vet said she was endangering her family. I said I would be happy to meet her down there and pick her up there. She said she would call the vet and let him know we are on our way down. She never called me back, so after about 45 minutes, I called her, she said, with no sympathy at all by the way, ” Oh he already put her to sleep, I called you three days ago and you didn’t answer so I gave him consent to put her down!” I had no idea what to say. I was sick to my stomache, and was hysterical. I hung up on her. She than called me back asking when she could get her money back and her vet bills paid! I am now not willing to pay them, am I wrong? I know the dog was hers now, and she chose to do what she wanted, but I am livid about all of this.

Oh and it turns out, the vet that put her down rescues Bull Terriers, and when the owner before me had to replace Missy, she called his office, and they said if he feels like they are not good enough show dogs, he will most likely put them down.

Should I just repay her, or stand my ground? Thanks and God bless you all!
Well I absolutely would have kept her, but have you ever had you and your fiance been in schoool full time, paying school expenses, and only getting paid a small amount? I wanted the dog to have a better home that I was giving her, do not judge me.

Best answer:

Answer by Wakey
it was her dog at the time, she needs to pay.

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Question by M.J.R: my german shepard seems to have arthrits and need recipes to make own food?
my dog has puppy arthritis should clear up by age of 2.i would like to start making home food for him witch would help his joints/bones and help with healing any recipes or suggestions?

Best answer:

Answer by Bobbie L
Puppy arthritis = poorly bred dog. Do you mean SHEPHERD?

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Question by Becky: I need advice about my elderly dog and meds.?
Hello everyone!
My dog Lucy is 13 now and I’ve had her since she was born. In the past couple weeks she has fallen 4 times. She hasn’t been hurt thankfully, but I know she’s old. She gets around a little slower as all aging dogs do. I give her 3 to 4 aspirin a day because she has arthritis. I can’t afford the crazy high prices of the pain meds anymore from her vet so they said I could give her aspirin. I wonder if she could be getting too used to it now, like maybe I should try Advil or Tylenol? What do you all think? …or should I stick with her aspirin routine?
TO: Shelter puppies rule….No I’m not irresponsible. My Vet, that she has been seeing for 13 YEARS, told me to give her aspirin every 6 hours for pain and stiffness due to arthritis. Find out what you’re dealing with before you go calling names.
BONZIE…Thank you for that. I am planning on calling her vet Monday morning. I was hoping to get some good advice til then
SHELTER PUPPIES RULE….you’re an idiot for real. I haven’t been on this thing for 3 months. YES I gave her a glucosamine pill for a while, there was nothing wrong with it, I asked my VET. I don’t understand why you came to attack me and call names but you sure are making a fool out of yourself cause you have no clue what happens in MY house. I’m not some kid that can’t afford the vet, grow up and find someone else to bother. I do not have trouble paying my vet bills…who the hell are you to say such things? I have had this dog since BIRTH, she is my family…you have no clue so shut up. No wonder I don’t come here. You don’t know as much about dogs as you think you do…you’re showing your ignorance honey. Later.

Best answer:

Answer by Shane
Yeah try new things, everything works differently on different people/dogs.

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Question by Daren A: Dog needs to be put to sleep, need advise.?
My German Shepard is 15 years old, almost 16. She has hung on for as long as she can. I won’t go into details of her medical condition, but you probably have an idea. Painful arthritis, blader problems, almost blind etc.

My question is how to do it. I read an article from a pet site that promotes the best way is for the owner to do it themselves. At first I thought this was barberic until I read on. Their feeling is that at the vet, it is a cold, nervous environment for the dog and horible last memory for the dog. They suggest taking the dog out into a field where it can feel free and placing a bowl down with its favorite snack and the shooting the dog in the head as it eats. I really don’t think I could do this, but do agree, the vet is no fun place for a dog, especially its last memory.

They also suggest using a favorite meal with sleeping pills, followed by carbon monoxide. This does not sound safe to me.

I just want the most comfortable, not convienent way for my dog.
I had not realizd vets make house calls. I phoned the vet around the corner from my house and they will come out to the home. We plan to bury the dog here after they are done. This is such a sad day, but thank you for the advise!

Best answer:

Answer by Blue Lisa
My sympathy for you during this difficult time, but you’re making the right decision to put her out of her pain before it’s unbearable. I would definitely NOT recommend putting her down yourself (and certainly not with pills and carbon monoxide, in which case you couldn’t be with her because of the risk of poisoning yourself). I would talk to your vet about the option of having the dog put down by a vet in your home. My vet doesn’t offer this service, but there is another vet in my town who will come to your home and put your dog down in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

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Question by K-: I need help my dog is in pain!?
Okay this morning my little brother accidentally smashed my dog’s tail in the door. She is bleeding some, and I think she might be in pain. What can I do to ease her pain? And what should I do with wound? Please help me. And the pain is really bad for her my dog is 11 years old and has arthritis. So she is very unhappy.

Thank you in advanced!

Kaley Bryant

Best answer:

Answer by Becky
Take her to the vet to see if the bone in her tail is broken and ask what they can do for her.

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