Feeling bad for my old girl

Woodreb · 04-30-2009, 03:03 PM

Rica is my 12 year old GSD. She has HD and severe arthritis in her hips as a result of the HD. We’ve known about this since she was 5 and have had her on supplements, Adequan, and prednisone to treat the symptoms. She wasn’t a good candidate for surgery due to other issues with her back and our orthopedic vet thought she would be completely crippled by the time she was 8.
Well, we’ve been able to keep her going until now – so I guess I can’t complain too much. She was still able to go hiking with us until she was between 10 and 11 (5-6 miles and hilly terrain). Then the long hikes started to be too much for her and we started keeping her hikes to a mile or 2 and on fairly flat terrain so it wouldn’t stress her too much. She can’t do that anymore – even though she wants to and is very vocal if we leave her home. So I take her to the park and she sits in the sun. She tries to drag herself after the ball if I’m throwing it for Aodhán and then she pays for her effort for a couple of days. (She’s got way more ball drive than Aodhán – who is easily distracted by new smells or bugs in the grass.)
Over the past 6-9 months, she’s been really going down hill. She started having more trouble getting up the stairs. We would joke about the slowly approaching tank as she lumbered up the stairs. I bought a sling and recently got her a harness to help her up and down the stairs because it’s now to the point where she can’t make it without our help. She does try to go down, but usually her back legs short of slide down – at least the stairs have a nice thick carpet on them. She falls a lot, and lands on one hip. Lately, we have to help her just to go from one room to another. Otherwise, her back end sways so much as she tries to walk that she bangs into all the furniture near her path. Sometimes, she’s OK if she’s in the yard because there’s a little more traction, but I see it getting worse and worse every day.
The **** of it all is that it’s only her back end that’s bad – and her hearing, but that’s something that we manage with hand signals. She still wants to play, she still lets Adohán know that she is the “boss” and all the toys belong to her. She wants to go with us and be where the family is. Her eyes say she’s still very much engaged in life. The practical part of me knows we’ll have to make a decision – sooner than we’d like to. But my heart doesn’t want to face that. I told my DH last night that I wish there was more that I could do to help her and make her better (after he had finished cleaning up the big puddle in the basement because she couldn’t get up to get outside and go potty and I finished giving her a bath to clean her up).
Sorry for the long post – but I just needed to vent. I love my girl and I hate seeing this happen to her.

Superpup · 04-30-2009, 03:12 PM

I am so sorry to hear this. This was such a sad but loving story, thanks for sharing it. I have not had to go through this yet myself, all my animals are fairly young, 5, 4, 3 and 16 mths.. but I know this will be the most difficult thing that will happen to me. I would still keep trying to help her move around, especially if her eyes tell you that her mind is all there and she has passion to live...
Can you share pics of this old lady? She seems to be such a sweetheart!!

k9sarneko · 04-30-2009, 03:17 PM

This is such a hard part of our wonderous journey with our fur families. I can read how very special your girl is and how much she is loved in your post and my heart goes out to you.

I offer no advise, but many many hugs and warm thoughts to you and your family through this tough time.

OkieAmazon · 04-30-2009, 03:38 PM

I went through this with my last Doberman. Odin went down when he was about 8, but after steroids and some rehab he got going again. At age 12 he started having more problems. We coped for another year, assisting him in getting up, going down the stairs, etc. When he started having pain in the front legs as well, we decided it was time. We gave him his favorite treat, a big knuckle bone to chew on the way to the vets and let him chew it right up to the minute he passed. It was one of the hardest things we'd ever had to do. My heart goes out to you.

katieliz · 04-30-2009, 04:05 PM

i recently had to help my 13 year old cinderfella go to the bridge. yes, it is indescribably hard to make that decision. he stopped eating and drinking for a day a while back, but then rallied for a brief time, eating and drinking once again. then, just over a week ago, he stopped eating and drinking again, and this time could not get up and walk on his own at all. at that point it became clear what needed to be done, by no means easy, but clear.

i am so sorry about your girl. they take a little piece of our heart with them when they go (sometimes a big piece).

BowWowMeow · 04-30-2009, 04:40 PM

I understand exactly how you're feeling. It is so painful to watch and so frustrating!

Chama can still move around on her own but it's getting harder and harder and now that she has this stupid tumor growing under her arm her movement is further impaired.

Are her front legs and shoulders strong? Might she be a good candidate for a cart? http://www.eddieswheels.com/

Spiritsmam · 04-30-2009, 05:14 PM

I had a similar thing happen to my angel Bonnie. She also had severe HD and arthritis plus LS disease. By the time she was 16 she was having a tough time getting about but REALLY wanted to go out and play. I made the decision to get her a wheelchair and it was the BEST thing I ever did, and may be something you could consider?

I vividly remember the day that the local rehab center put together her cart. I was told not to be upset if things didn't go well as she was "old" and may not adapt ... yeah right! As soon as the PT and vet stepped back she set off running across the parking lot, a huge grin on her face, with them in hot pursuit - I hadn't laughed so much in years!

In the house I still had to help Bonnie get up and about, but she would sit by the front door demanding to go out every day. Bonnie continued to walk 1/2 - 1 mile a day until within a couple of weeks of her crossing over the bridge at 19 years of age,

Here are a couple of videos, one showing how Bonnie walked without her cart then how she enjoyed the mobility the cart gave and how well she did in it (she absolutely refused to let me use the stirrups to hold her hindlegs off the floor, determined to use them).

Woodreb · 04-30-2009, 07:04 PM

She's not the first dog I've had that's gone to the bridge. It was hard enough with my old Max, but his kidneys were failing and he had the "look" that he had had enough. Rica doesn't have that look.

Although there are some nights when you can tell she's not comfortable.
But then you see:

At the park last weekend

I've thought about the cart option, but don't know how well it would work at our house - the dog's yard is mostly a hill. And most of our yard is on a slope. We're just taking it one day at a time and trying to keep her happy and comfortable.

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 04-30-2009, 08:01 PM

Oh is she ever sweet!!!!

I like checking out their forum:
http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/

But I was posting because: http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php
they now have those smaller wheelchairs AND now they have 45 day rentals! http://handicappedpets.com/www/index...r-rentals.html I am not totally sure of the details, but they have great customer service.

Enjoy her.

Look for the good, help with the bad, and focus on the positive.

middleofnowhere · 04-30-2009, 08:57 PM

Chiropractic does wonders for my 14 yo. You might consider that. Generally, I look at her and I don't see the gimpy pup - I see Ms. Full of It! I remember how fast she was, how game she was for the horse. I know her eyes still light up when we go to the horse or today when we went to the vets - even after her last extended stay!

04-30-2009, 03:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Woodreb Master Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Milford, CT Posts: 548	Feeling bad for my old girl Rica is my 12 year old GSD. She has HD and severe arthritis in her hips as a result of the HD. We’ve known about this since she was 5 and have had her on supplements, Adequan, and prednisone to treat the symptoms. She wasn’t a good candidate for surgery due to other issues with her back and our orthopedic vet thought she would be completely crippled by the time she was 8. Well, we’ve been able to keep her going until now – so I guess I can’t complain too much. She was still able to go hiking with us until she was between 10 and 11 (5-6 miles and hilly terrain). Then the long hikes started to be too much for her and we started keeping her hikes to a mile or 2 and on fairly flat terrain so it wouldn’t stress her too much. She can’t do that anymore – even though she wants to and is very vocal if we leave her home. So I take her to the park and she sits in the sun. She tries to drag herself after the ball if I’m throwing it for Aodhán and then she pays for her effort for a couple of days. (She’s got way more ball drive than Aodhán – who is easily distracted by new smells or bugs in the grass.) Over the past 6-9 months, she’s been really going down hill. She started having more trouble getting up the stairs. We would joke about the slowly approaching tank as she lumbered up the stairs. I bought a sling and recently got her a harness to help her up and down the stairs because it’s now to the point where she can’t make it without our help. She does try to go down, but usually her back legs short of slide down – at least the stairs have a nice thick carpet on them. She falls a lot, and lands on one hip. Lately, we have to help her just to go from one room to another. Otherwise, her back end sways so much as she tries to walk that she bangs into all the furniture near her path. Sometimes, she’s OK if she’s in the yard because there’s a little more traction, but I see it getting worse and worse every day. The **** of it all is that it’s only her back end that’s bad – and her hearing, but that’s something that we manage with hand signals. She still wants to play, she still lets Adohán know that she is the “boss” and all the toys belong to her. She wants to go with us and be where the family is. Her eyes say she’s still very much engaged in life. The practical part of me knows we’ll have to make a decision – sooner than we’d like to. But my heart doesn’t want to face that. I told my DH last night that I wish there was more that I could do to help her and make her better (after he had finished cleaning up the big puddle in the basement because she couldn’t get up to get outside and go potty and I finished giving her a bath to clean her up). Sorry for the long post – but I just needed to vent. I love my girl and I hate seeing this happen to her. __________________ Johanna Aodhán (GSD)- Mar 2002 Caleb (Quill vom kleinen Teich) - Mar 2009 Rica (GSD)- Nov 1996 - July 2009 RIP Max (GSDx) - 1983 - 1998 RIP Kelly (GSD) - 1986 - 1996 RIP

04-30-2009, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Superpup Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: IL Posts: 2,269	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl I am so sorry to hear this. This was such a sad but loving story, thanks for sharing it. I have not had to go through this yet myself, all my animals are fairly young, 5, 4, 3 and 16 mths.. but I know this will be the most difficult thing that will happen to me. I would still keep trying to help her move around, especially if her eyes tell you that her mind is all there and she has passion to live... Can you share pics of this old lady? She seems to be such a sweetheart!! __________________ Päivi Mom of Cody 3 yrs, CGC, CDX, BH, TDI, TT, TD -HOT VP Myth Vom Triton (Brandie) 2 yrs, CGC, BH, TT -HOT Iida -American Shorthair Cat 5 yrs, Odin -Bengal Cat 4 yrs

04-30-2009, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
k9sarneko Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: florida Posts: 2,577	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl This is such a hard part of our wonderous journey with our fur families. I can read how very special your girl is and how much she is loved in your post and my heart goes out to you. I offer no advise, but many many hugs and warm thoughts to you and your family through this tough time. __________________ Sharon, Mom to SAR GSD's Lexi CGC (Cert. area search) Neko CGC (Cert. HRD) Justice CGC (trailing), BOLO, Bloodhound CGC(trailing) Titan, Shilo Shepherd (beginning area search) Kibby(Rodie mix) Lil Bear and Izzy and Louie(Pom's)

04-30-2009, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
OkieAmazon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A. Posts: 217	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl I went through this with my last Doberman. Odin went down when he was about 8, but after steroids and some rehab he got going again. At age 12 he started having more problems. We coped for another year, assisting him in getting up, going down the stairs, etc. When he started having pain in the front legs as well, we decided it was time. We gave him his favorite treat, a big knuckle bone to chew on the way to the vets and let him chew it right up to the minute he passed. It was one of the hardest things we'd ever had to do. My heart goes out to you.

04-30-2009, 04:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,324	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl i recently had to help my 13 year old cinderfella go to the bridge. yes, it is indescribably hard to make that decision. he stopped eating and drinking for a day a while back, but then rallied for a brief time, eating and drinking once again. then, just over a week ago, he stopped eating and drinking again, and this time could not get up and walk on his own at all. at that point it became clear what needed to be done, by no means easy, but clear. i am so sorry about your girl. they take a little piece of our heart with them when they go (sometimes a big piece). __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

04-30-2009, 04:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl I understand exactly how you're feeling. It is so painful to watch and so frustrating! Chama can still move around on her own but it's getting harder and harder and now that she has this stupid tumor growing under her arm her movement is further impaired. Are her front legs and shoulders strong? Might she be a good candidate for a cart? http://www.eddieswheels.com/ __________________ 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

04-30-2009, 05:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Spiritsmam Master Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 715	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl I had a similar thing happen to my angel Bonnie. She also had severe HD and arthritis plus LS disease. By the time she was 16 she was having a tough time getting about but REALLY wanted to go out and play. I made the decision to get her a wheelchair and it was the BEST thing I ever did, and may be something you could consider? I vividly remember the day that the local rehab center put together her cart. I was told not to be upset if things didn't go well as she was "old" and may not adapt ... yeah right! As soon as the PT and vet stepped back she set off running across the parking lot, a huge grin on her face, with them in hot pursuit - I hadn't laughed so much in years! In the house I still had to help Bonnie get up and about, but she would sit by the front door demanding to go out every day. Bonnie continued to walk 1/2 - 1 mile a day until within a couple of weeks of her crossing over the bridge at 19 years of age, Here are a couple of videos, one showing how Bonnie walked without her cart then how she enjoyed the mobility the cart gave and how well she did in it (she absolutely refused to let me use the stirrups to hold her hindlegs off the floor, determined to use them). __________________ Joanne, Spirit, Eli, and Aoibhe (Disabled GSD's) Duncan, Sam, Carl and Tesla (Black Lab mixes who think all GSD's are airheads) Teddy ("the Corgi") http://www.straightlegshepherds.org

04-30-2009, 07:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Woodreb Master Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Milford, CT Posts: 548	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl She's not the first dog I've had that's gone to the bridge. It was hard enough with my old Max, but his kidneys were failing and he had the "look" that he had had enough. Rica doesn't have that look. Although there are some nights when you can tell she's not comfortable. But then you see: At the park last weekend I've thought about the cart option, but don't know how well it would work at our house - the dog's yard is mostly a hill. And most of our yard is on a slope. We're just taking it one day at a time and trying to keep her happy and comfortable. __________________ Johanna Aodhán (GSD)- Mar 2002 Caleb (Quill vom kleinen Teich) - Mar 2009 Rica (GSD)- Nov 1996 - July 2009 RIP Max (GSDx) - 1983 - 1998 RIP Kelly (GSD) - 1986 - 1996 RIP

04-30-2009, 08:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,697	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl Oh is she ever sweet!!!! I like checking out their forum: http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/ But I was posting because: http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php they now have those smaller wheelchairs AND now they have 45 day rentals! http://handicappedpets.com/www/index...r-rentals.html I am not totally sure of the details, but they have great customer service. Enjoy her. Look for the good, help with the bad, and focus on the positive. __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win...

04-30-2009, 08:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
middleofnowhere Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Arkansas Posts: 12,472	Re: Feeling bad for my old girl Chiropractic does wonders for my 14 yo. You might consider that. Generally, I look at her and I don't see the gimpy pup - I see Ms. Full of It! I remember how fast she was, how game she was for the horse. I know her eyes still light up when we go to the horse or today when we went to the vets - even after her last extended stay!

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