Max

[Kayos and Havoc]

Is lost in space these days.
Not walking well.
Loosing control of his bladder.
He has had accidents in the house twice in about 10 days.
Lost control of his bowels once.

I have ordered some prebiotics and put him on an herbal urinary support formula. Diapers are next.

Just commiserating and watching him get old.

He is crabby and does not like being bumped (I don't blame him).
He is also guarding his food which is something he has never done before. He has run Havoc off his food twice this week which leads me to believe he is hungry. No change in food or amount- so I am beginning to wander if he is having a metabolic problem.

Will give him a few days and then time to find a vet here I think. He should have settled in from the move by now.

Old age bites - for people and dogs.

[BowWowMeow]

Kathy,

So sorry that Max is having a tough time. I have Chama on 3 meals a day now since 2 just didn't seem to be working for her--she was hungry and getting cranky about it. I feed her the same amount but spread it out more and that seems to be working much better.

Big hugs to you and to Max!

[LJsMom]

Has his thyroid been checked lately?

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction?

[rover51]

Sorry to hear about your Max. How old is he?

[3K9Mom]

The adjustment may have a lot to do with this, especially pottying in the house. He is used to knowing where doors are at your old house and knowing how to time things to get out the door on time. This is a huge adjustment for him.

Yes, I would find him a new vet. Perhaps he developed a UTI from the move and the stress. Perhaps his kidneys are weakened (BUN and creatinine numbers will tell you that). Start with a complete work up at the new vet. Complete CBC, urinalysis (a UA at least; but I'd prefer a culture and sensitivity), thyroid function. But don't get down. I wouldn't yet. Older kids just don't adjust as fast as we expect. That doesn't mean they won't. But it takes more time.

In the meantime, if you can, perhaps you can feed him a bit more food? In addition (or instead), add pumpkin to his food to bulk it up? He may have something that's causing him to be hungry. Until we know what it is, I'd be inclined to give him a bit more sustenance.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Max is 10.5 approximately, not really that old. Pumpkin makes him sick. Thyroid was normal just before we left. He does have CCD and it is getting worse.

I have upped his food but I suspect his kidneys are slowing down. I am afraid he may be developing diabetes.

He gets probiatics, fish oil, we switch back and forth between Rimadyl and Tramadol. Added the herbal urinary support today and ordered prebiotics. I even bought a Herbs for Dogs book from Dr Tilford's website.

He is just getting old ---- poor guy!

I have an appointment for him this Friday.

[3K9Mom]

If you're thinking kidney failure, you may likely want to hold off on the rimadyl til you get bloodwork back. You may be able to increase your dose of Tramadol. Can you talk to your vet back in OR who can confirm this for you? NSAIDs and renal failure are really bad combination.

We stopped Rimadyl cold turkey and started Adequan injections. I have to say, I never thought we could do without Rimadyl. Boni did so well on it. But Adequan makes a huge difference. You may want to add that to your list of things to ask about.

I'll be saying prayers that you hear only good things on Friday. Simple easily treatable stuff...

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Cholodin?
http://www.drugs.com/vet/cholodin.html
http://www.mvplabs.com/products--supplements.html

I don't know if it did anything for Kramer. I got the first bottle for free from the vet (and it's not bad in price) just a month or so before he got sick. He liked the pills so much that I just gave them to him as treats. Fishy smelling! Who knows, but at the price and the fact that he liked them, and they were supposed to be good for the liver as well...eh!

But I do think the big move has thrown him off his game totally. He probably relied on things being the same to center him (I know that sounds new agey but can't think of a better way to put it) and now it's the same, but different.

I would pay cash money to be able to see what they see for a day.

Please give him a big XOXO-if I remember he is a GORGEOUS boy!

[GSD07]

Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear about Max problems. He's such a sweet big bear. I hope the vet will help to figure out how to help him. I know Debbi gives Tasha some injections for the spondilosis and Tasha feels SO much better. Maybe, it's the same Adequan that 3K9Mom is talking about??

[Kayos and Havoc]

Most likely! I was kind of holding Adequan for the end run. We used that for one our bridge dogs and it gave her relief short term only. The more you give it the more frequent it becomes necessary and the less relief it brings.

Max is a long way from checking out I think but it is still frustrating as we are having to get up twice a night to let him out. This is pretty recent and it may be a UTI- that would be easy.

BTW the vet that Debbi uses is the same one you are using? Both Max and Kayos were terrified of him. I quit going there because of that. I'll email you back tonight!