Senior Updates Please!

BowWowMeow · 03-06-2009, 09:10 PM

Hi all,

Just want to check in and see how all of our wonderful seniors are doing.

After surviving bloat and a horrible reaction to a narcotic I am very happy to have my Chama-Bear still with me this week!

AnnaRiley · 03-06-2009, 09:34 PM

Happy for you and Charma!!

TMarie · 03-06-2009, 09:40 PM

Hi Ruth,
I am SO HAPPY Chama is doing so much better. I have kept up with her thread. When I first came on and seen her thread, my heart just sank.
Big hugs

to you and Chama.

Jake is holding his own. He will be 11 in June. Some changes since I posted about him 2 months ago. His mobility is a little worse. He has a difficult time just stepping over the threshold out the back door.

Something odd, I am not sure how to explain, confusion or memory? In the last 2 weeks he sits by my desk, the way he would if he was waiting for a treat from his treat jar. The odd thing about that is, his treat jar hasn't been on my desk for about 6 months. I moved it to the kitchen counter. Also, When we go to take him out the back door, he now goes to the door that doesn't open, and we have to move him to the correct side, to get him out. Like he is confused.

His cancer has returned (spread),

in another location. (we are NOT talking about that though, so pretend I didn't say anything)

Despite his mobility issues, and other *things*, he still has a great appetite.

He still loves to play with his toys, although mostly laying down. He still gets excited to see daddy.

He has more good days then bad. We are hoping summer holds off for awhile, so he can enjoy many more cool, crisp days.

BowWowMeow · 03-06-2009, 09:46 PM

Tammy,

I am SO glad you posted. I really wanted to hear how Jake was doing. I am very sorry about the thing you are not talking about. Are you doing a special diet or anything?

I understand completely about the weather. Chama also has problems with her lungs and today was humid and kind of warm (for us) and she was huffing and puffing when we were walking.

Do you have a body harness for Jake? I have a harness that goes on the front half of Chama and it is padded and has a handle, kind of like a suitcase. That has been really helpful for getting her up and down stairs and over things.

As for his confusion--that's pretty common in seniors. Chama doesn't have that but my first dog, Massie, had it. I called it senior moments.

It's a little bit of dementia and it usually comes and goes.

Chama is recovering really well, thank goodness!

WiscTiger · 03-06-2009, 09:51 PM

Tammy I am glad you checked in also. Sorry to hear about that thing we aren't talking about.

Ruth is the harness the same as the one that Jean used on N & K?

Val

BowWowMeow · 03-06-2009, 09:59 PM

Duh, guess I should have posted a link to the harness!

It's different than the full body harness. Chama has some fatty tumors in her abdomen so I didn't think the other harness would be comfortable for her. This one is also reflective and really easy to get on/off.

http://www.pawlickers.com/products/g...fortflex-sport

And her is the one that Jean likes: http://www.pawlickers.com/products/g...master-harness

The second one looks a little sturdier but Chama is 70 pounds and this one has held up really well for her.

3K9Mom · 03-06-2009, 10:51 PM

Hi Tammy, I'm glad you checked in too. We'll continue to keep Jake in our prayers.

I'm sorry that Zamboni can't check in herself. She's snoozing right now. We went to the private dog park (just us 3!) today, and she hiked and chased and had a lot of fun in a rare day of Washington sunshine. She was poooooped!

We're taking our usual cocktails of Rx meds, supplements, and the newest additions of Chinese herbal mixes. She's doing the underwater treadmill weekly, which she hates. It's BORING. She clearly has a "I'll do it, but I won't like it" look on her face when she does it. But it's building and maintaining muscle mass, so I put up with the abuse.

She does have some moments of confusion, but it's hard to know how much of that is confusion, and how much is the fact that her hearing is really depleted (ha! I like that wording!). Either way, I keep a close eye on her; use lots of hand signals, and try to "tell" her exactly what I want her to do and what is going on (Camper still helps a lot with that, as he's her hearing assistance dog).

And we're planning her Sweet 16 birthday, which is on May 5 -- Cinco de Mayo! We're thinking of a trip to her hometown San Diego for the event. Margaritas, Carne Asada, a squirrel pinata. Everyone is welcome!

**Amaruq** · 03-07-2009, 12:27 AM

I have been lucky that my "senior issues" have so far been minor in comparison and one of my seniors acts more like a 9 month old than a 9 year old. Some times I almost feel bad posting some relatively minor issues in here.

LisaT · 03-07-2009, 01:49 AM

Ahhhh Tammy, I'm so sorry to hear about Jake :-(

3K9, I wish I could get Max on that treadmill, but we don't have anything like that around here.

Ruq, it's good to hear your seniors are doing so well!

Indy is having mobility problems that only get better when she is on antibiotics. The story of her life, who knows if they are fighting infection or modulating her immune system. She was crying during her chiro adjustments, which she never does, and the antibiotics make all that pain go away. I don't understand it.

She is losing muscle mass, in her skull too, which makes her look like a pup. Her eyes are starting to cloud I was hoping, as a medium sized dog, we would have a few more years before she really started to age.

But she is still barky , barks and whines in th a.m. when I press the snooze button in the morning - doesn't stop until I get up - this new trick of hers really needs to stop!

middleofnowhere · 03-07-2009, 03:32 AM

Barker the Elder, getting closer to 14 (May), is back to making it around the block once a day. She has more energy for getting up on the bed and after her last chiro treatment, has been walking pretty straight.

She's regained enough strength to support herself more when she urinates so the feather soiling (long haired) has been less. Her incontenence pills seem to have taken care of that problem that came after the last illness. For stools, I'm happy to have them wel-formed and untasted. We've had two instances of upright BMs outside this week -- the first since her last hospitalization. That means a tremendous amount of recovery really.

It was this week or last that she decided to use her voice again, too.

She still loves to go to the barn & we're set for tomorrow. I only take her as far as the edge of the first set of corrals but she goes out to get the horse with me. Her bed sore has healed and we're seeing if the hair comes back.

She's adjusted better than I had thought to being an only dog.

03-06-2009, 09:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Senior Updates Please! Hi all, Just want to check in and see how all of our wonderful seniors are doing. After surviving bloat and a horrible reaction to a narcotic I am very happy to have my Chama-Bear still with me this week! __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

03-06-2009, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
AnnaRiley Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SC Posts: 1,446	Re: Senior Updates Please! Happy for you and Charma!!

03-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
TMarie Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,157	Re: Senior Updates Please! Hi Ruth, I am SO HAPPY Chama is doing so much better. I have kept up with her thread. When I first came on and seen her thread, my heart just sank. Big hugs to you and Chama. Jake is holding his own. He will be 11 in June. Some changes since I posted about him 2 months ago. His mobility is a little worse. He has a difficult time just stepping over the threshold out the back door. Something odd, I am not sure how to explain, confusion or memory? In the last 2 weeks he sits by my desk, the way he would if he was waiting for a treat from his treat jar. The odd thing about that is, his treat jar hasn't been on my desk for about 6 months. I moved it to the kitchen counter. Also, When we go to take him out the back door, he now goes to the door that doesn't open, and we have to move him to the correct side, to get him out. Like he is confused. His cancer has returned (spread), in another location. (we are NOT talking about that though, so pretend I didn't say anything) Despite his mobility issues, and other things, he still has a great appetite. He still loves to play with his toys, although mostly laying down. He still gets excited to see daddy. He has more good days then bad. We are hoping summer holds off for awhile, so he can enjoy many more cool, crisp days.

03-06-2009, 09:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Re: Senior Updates Please! Tammy, I am SO glad you posted. I really wanted to hear how Jake was doing. I am very sorry about the thing you are not talking about. Are you doing a special diet or anything? I understand completely about the weather. Chama also has problems with her lungs and today was humid and kind of warm (for us) and she was huffing and puffing when we were walking. Do you have a body harness for Jake? I have a harness that goes on the front half of Chama and it is padded and has a handle, kind of like a suitcase. That has been really helpful for getting her up and down stairs and over things. As for his confusion--that's pretty common in seniors. Chama doesn't have that but my first dog, Massie, had it. I called it senior moments. It's a little bit of dementia and it usually comes and goes. Chama is recovering really well, thank goodness! __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

03-06-2009, 09:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
WiscTiger Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 15,171	Re: Senior Updates Please! Tammy I am glad you checked in also. Sorry to hear about that thing we aren't talking about. Ruth is the harness the same as the one that Jean used on N & K? Val __________________ Wisctiger@msn.com Cheyenne-2/02 DeeDee Little Bit-6/02 Lakota-1/03 Raya-9/05

03-06-2009, 09:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Re: Senior Updates Please! Duh, guess I should have posted a link to the harness! It's different than the full body harness. Chama has some fatty tumors in her abdomen so I didn't think the other harness would be comfortable for her. This one is also reflective and really easy to get on/off. http://www.pawlickers.com/products/g...fortflex-sport And her is the one that Jean likes: http://www.pawlickers.com/products/g...master-harness The second one looks a little sturdier but Chama is 70 pounds and this one has held up really well for her. __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

03-06-2009, 10:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
3K9Mom Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7,575	Re: Senior Updates Please! Hi Tammy, I'm glad you checked in too. We'll continue to keep Jake in our prayers. I'm sorry that Zamboni can't check in herself. She's snoozing right now. We went to the private dog park (just us 3!) today, and she hiked and chased and had a lot of fun in a rare day of Washington sunshine. She was poooooped! We're taking our usual cocktails of Rx meds, supplements, and the newest additions of Chinese herbal mixes. She's doing the underwater treadmill weekly, which she hates. It's BORING. She clearly has a "I'll do it, but I won't like it" look on her face when she does it. But it's building and maintaining muscle mass, so I put up with the abuse. She does have some moments of confusion, but it's hard to know how much of that is confusion, and how much is the fact that her hearing is really depleted (ha! I like that wording!). Either way, I keep a close eye on her; use lots of hand signals, and try to "tell" her exactly what I want her to do and what is going on (Camper still helps a lot with that, as he's her hearing assistance dog). And we're planning her Sweet 16 birthday, which is on May 5 -- Cinco de Mayo! We're thinking of a trip to her hometown San Diego for the event. Margaritas, Carne Asada, a squirrel pinata. Everyone is welcome!

03-07-2009, 12:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
Amaruq Moderator who has gone to the dogs Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Where I don't wanna be-NW PA Posts: 14,645	Re: Senior Updates Please! I have been lucky that my "senior issues" have so far been minor in comparison and one of my seniors acts more like a 9 month old than a 9 year old. Some times I almost feel bad posting some relatively minor issues in here. __________________ Ruq Paq Lakota, Chimo, Tika, Rayne, Kanuck, Jethro and Keyzah My Angels forever in my heart and watching over us: Phoenix 9/07 Kaylee Cheyenne 5/09

03-07-2009, 01:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
LisaT Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern CA Posts: 17,002	Re: Senior Updates Please! Ahhhh Tammy, I'm so sorry to hear about Jake :-( 3K9, I wish I could get Max on that treadmill, but we don't have anything like that around here. Ruq, it's good to hear your seniors are doing so well! Indy is having mobility problems that only get better when she is on antibiotics. The story of her life, who knows if they are fighting infection or modulating her immune system. She was crying during her chiro adjustments, which she never does, and the antibiotics make all that pain go away. I don't understand it. She is losing muscle mass, in her skull too, which makes her look like a pup. Her eyes are starting to cloud I was hoping, as a medium sized dog, we would have a few more years before she really started to age. But she is still barky , barks and whines in th a.m. when I press the snooze button in the morning - doesn't stop until I get up - this new trick of hers really needs to stop! __________________ K9 Tick Disease Information http://www.rabieschallengefund.org

03-07-2009, 03:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
middleofnowhere Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Arkansas Posts: 12,472	Re: Senior Updates Please! Barker the Elder, getting closer to 14 (May), is back to making it around the block once a day. She has more energy for getting up on the bed and after her last chiro treatment, has been walking pretty straight. She's regained enough strength to support herself more when she urinates so the feather soiling (long haired) has been less. Her incontenence pills seem to have taken care of that problem that came after the last illness. For stools, I'm happy to have them wel-formed and untasted. We've had two instances of upright BMs outside this week -- the first since her last hospitalization. That means a tremendous amount of recovery really. It was this week or last that she decided to use her voice again, too. She still loves to go to the barn & we're set for tomorrow. I only take her as far as the edge of the first set of corrals but she goes out to get the horse with me. Her bed sore has healed and we're seeing if the hair comes back. She's adjusted better than I had thought to being an only dog.

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