nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429 
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Post by nhg on Jul 17, 2014 1:57:10 GMT
Our dog Amigo is going to be 13 next month. He's healthy, particularly for an old dog that's 70 pounds.
But we think he's losing his mind. He does such odd things and behaves strangely. He'll suddenly bark at nothing and seems surprised himself. I could go on and on. And he's unhappy. He walks around panting and can't seem to relax. Its stress panting and goes on all the time. All winter, too, so its not the heat.
We've had him since he was a puppy and we just feel like he's not right and that he might be in constant pain. The vet didn't find anything.
Still, we feel like there's something not right with him.
Its bothering me more now because of all the pain and suffering I've been through for the last 6 months. I worry that he's actually suffering.
Any suggestions?
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Jul 17, 2014 3:21:17 GMT
Just maintain consistency with his environment, routine, etc.
Maybe he senses your stress as of late,.., animals worry, and are very intuitive.
Perhaps hes been stressed out with you bring gone, different smells, schedule changes, etc
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jul 17, 2014 12:18:00 GMT
Is he losing his hearing? As Red said he maybe stressing because you were.
Not sure what to tell you.
My Sweet Pea is 10 and she has cataracts and is losing her sight. But otherwise she does well. She does bark at things more only because she hears it and can't see what it is.
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Valhallanite
Junior Member
Dutchess County, New York
Posts: 826
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Post by Valhallanite on Jul 17, 2014 12:45:20 GMT
I am so sorry I have no idea. The barking at nothing could be like mingiz says, poor hearing or maybe sight, that could just be an older dog thing. The heavy panting is what would concern me too.
Poor thing, it's such a worry as they get older.
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Post by lorddaxter on Jul 17, 2014 12:51:20 GMT
The heavy panting could be a tumour, my gsd started doing this, we got him scanned and he had a tumour close to his lungs, they said it looked non cancerous, yes I don't use that vet anymore, how can you tell from a picture?!.....well about 8 months later(he was on steroids after 6 months and a humidifier to help with his breathing)he collapsed, I got a vet to come to the house, said it was cancer and the tumour obviously has been, had to have him euthanised:( Of course, could be nothing too, as dogs gets older they see things so to speak and stand and stare at the wall sometimes!.....if he seems stressed Id spray the Bach flower remedy spray in his mouth a few times a day, it can help  |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 17, 2014 15:05:48 GMT
He's got way more odd behaviours than I mentioned and we've been watching this since before I got sick.
One problem is that we can't have more tests done because money is an issue. With me not working I'm bringing in nothing and we're not set up to live on just my husband's salary.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 17, 2014 15:43:39 GMT
Ok, no stones please but I wonder if it is time to start considering euthanasia? Sounds like this has been going on for a while. If the poor thing is really in distress and has been seen by the vet, it may be the best thing for him.
I know you don't need this right now NHG. More prayers being sent for you and Amigo.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 17, 2014 17:10:26 GMT
Actually, MM this is what I'm considering. What I didn't mention is that he's also becoming aggressive. He keeps challenging the other dogs for seemingly no reason. I can see how he's freaking them out.
The big thing is that he seems so unhappy and my gut tells me that he's not right physically inside.
If he needs to be moved say off a chair or something and he's doing his new stubborn thing where he sits there looking right at you and ignoring you, if you go to give him a push he'll scream. His hearing isn't what it used to be but he definitely hears very well.
Its like he goes out if his way to be obstinate. If we let the other dogs out and ask him if he wants to go he'll look right at us and settle down like he doesn't want to go or he'll even walk away. But the second you shut the door he comes over and wants out. And if you tell him no then he gets very insistent and will drive you nuts until he gets his way.
He's been a good dog but he's not who he was and we're having trouble having patience with him.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 17, 2014 19:42:13 GMT
He also no longer appreciates affection. He used to be snuggly and love attention but now he'll start the stress panting a leave.
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Post by horselady on Jul 18, 2014 1:17:28 GMT
how are his eyes. does he stare at you with a blank look? and how is his walking. is it normal or weird?
i have a corgie that has a tumor under her belly and she gets those panting fits especially at night. vet says it is there and nothing can be done.
we make them comfortable and love them , and want them to be without pain. if that decision has to be made than it is for a quality of life that is not there for them . you will make the choice that is the best for you and for him.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 18, 2014 15:47:50 GMT
I think my concern is that I'm considering having him put down and I'm worried I'm doing it mostly because he's driving us all nuts. And only partly because I think he's lost quality of life.
I'm the biggest dog lover I know. Could I be so cruel?
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 18, 2014 17:11:38 GMT
It is not cruel to have the dogs best interest in mind. And I think in this case, it would be best for Amigo to be put down. He is obviously suffering and not enjoying life any more. Now that doesn't mean you have to put him down today. But I bet he will give you a sign that he is ready as long as you are looking out for him.
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Post by 1fatmule on Aug 1, 2014 21:39:14 GMT
How are things going with Amigo?
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Aug 2, 2014 2:49:02 GMT
Thanks for asking. He's the same. I think it was me. I've had so much pain and painful procedures and I've been worried that he's in pain and suffering and was kind of looking for an excuse to put him out of the misery I thought he was in.
I'm still worried but not like I was. There may have been some behaviour issues, too, because of me being sick.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Aug 21, 2014 14:54:28 GMT
Just checking in on Amigo.
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Aug 21, 2014 15:14:37 GMT
Thanks MM. He's the same. No worse than he was but nothing I do seems to make him happy.
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Aug 23, 2014 12:03:00 GMT
Can I be honest nhg? I just don't agree with the rest of you. My opinion is if animals is not sick, not suffering I really belive it is not a reason to put them down just because they don't seem happy. Would you euthanized a grumpy old man just because he is complaining constantly or is always grim? The dog is just old, you can't expect he is going to be running around happy or wag his tail or to be interested in some things he was before. I know I sound little bit rough, it is just my opinion. I am even on the verge of not support euthanasia even when the animal is sick, it would really have to be very sick animal that is obviously in great pain. I find it playing God and honestly it scares the crap out of me.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Aug 23, 2014 12:48:10 GMT
Lipizzan, I understand the "slippery slope" you are afraid of with how we treat animals to how we treat people. I think I understand it anyway because I feel life itself is precious and quite honestly appreciate an animals company over a persons in most cases and most occasions.
But...
NHG and the other folks here, including you, are wise enough to be able to navigate a slippery slope. In fact I believe that for us, and the reason NHG is even asking the questions and opening up the discussion is because the area is wide and full of white and black spots with several gradations of grey between.
Dogs and cats, livestock, animals other than humans are not in fact humans. We have dominion over them and for that we are responsible for their having life or meeting death. And it is germane to this conversation that our very civilizations have caused the death and extinction of many species of plants and animals simply by our efforts to urbanize and make our own lives safer. So I do not look negatively at someone's decision to euthanize an animal if in their point of view the animal is suffering and lacking quality of life.
My mom is senile and she has lost many of her inhibitions. So I don't see why an older dog wouldn't do the same thing. NHG, you are a most thoughtful person, when it appears that your dog is no longer a safe companion, then you'll do the right thing at the right time, whatever that right thing is to do, like what you are doing now.
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Aug 23, 2014 12:52:25 GMT
I see what are you trying to say, and I know nhg knows what is the best for her dog, I was just saying my opinion.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Aug 23, 2014 14:41:47 GMT
Lip, euthanasia is a really controversial subject and I appreciate your opinion. I think my issue was that I've had times in the last months when I was feeling so horrible physically that it made me think about what it would be like to die from my cancer. I've never been through anything like this in my life, never been this sick or had so much pain. I've had several family members die of cancer and I remember how they suffered at the end and it got me thinking about how I'd rather be 'put to sleep' than suffer for weeks before dying. I'll be honest and say that there was one night in the hospital about 3 am when I spent my time imagining myself going and getting a bunch of pills and taking them all. But those things are locked up and it wouldn't have been possible. I couldn't have imagined how horrible this whole experience would be and it's not over yet.
Anyway, it got me thinking that if Amigo is actually suffering I'd want to do the right thing for him. He still sometimes cries for no reason but I'm starting to think it's an attention thing because if my husband or daughter sits down to visit with me he starts breathing loudly and then whining and if we ignore him he eventually starts moaning. And he's sad because my husband will take the other dogs for a walk out in the country but Amigo doesn't get to go. He's terrible in the car and always has been, he sheds unbelievably in the car, and he will always find a big pile of wet poo or a dead thing to roll in, sometimes more than one. My husband has no patience for it and I can't walk him until I'm stronger because he's a terrible puller but if I let him off leash he'll roll in something.
This is Amigo. He's a pitbull/springer spaniel cross.
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