Thanks a million, its just horrible seeing her hurting! As for the Meloxicam, I had seen a lot of stuff online saying that it’s been discovered that rats should be on much higher doses due to differences in metabolism and the fact that it’s not technically (off label) for rats. As a result vets tend to dose for equivalent body weight in dogs and they may not be getting enough. Is there possibly any accuracy to that? I have no medical background and so am absolutely not going to start adjusting prescriptions but if that’s the case I think a different painkiller would definitely be an idea. I hadn’t seen anything similar about the other medications so she may get more relief.
You don’t need to use strong chemicals to clean up after your dog – vinegar will do the job. Any kind of vinegar – Wal Mart has Cleaning Vinegar which has a lower pH, and it is found in the grocery section with all the other vinegar. You can mix the vinegar with water, 1/3 vinegar, 2/3 water. This neutralizes the smell of urine, and kills bacteria/germs. The vinegar smell disappears as it dries. You can use the same mix to rinse her off when she has an accident – just stand her in the tub, hose her off with plain water, then using a squirt bottle, work the vinegar and water mix into her coat to deodorize her.
Are you taking her out to pee just before she goes into her crate at night? Have you taken her to a vet to see if she has a bladder infection? Many dogs don’t like to pee on decks or balconies and so they hold it as long as they can – which can lead to bladder infections. In a 15 year old dog, even the stress of a new home can lead to complications in her health.
Have you considered dog diapers? There are several brands out there for dogs that can not control their bladders – so you would walk her, then put her into her crate with a diaper on. You just have to pay attention that she does not develop a diaper rash or sores.
This girl has spent her entire life loving you – and she deserves the best you can offer to her. Take her for a check up, and work to keep her comfortable, and with you.
And last of all – don’t send her to die in a shelter. At her age she will not be adopted and in the days before they kill her, she will be sad, depressed, and wondering where her people are. Don’t condemn her to worry and confusion by giving her away. If you truly can’t keep this girl after all that she has done for you, the least you can do is take her to a vet and have her put down while she is in your loving arms.
The thought that someone would abandon a life long friend because she gets old or sick is beyond me. Would you do this to a parent or a child? Hate to say it out loud, but I’m so glad you are not related to me!
That’s why I’m asking for advice/ solutions obviously I don’t want to give her away but given my condition and just everything going on with her I’m not even giving her the treatment she should be getting… And as far as I’m concerned this is not a site where you go and bash people for their situations and or judge given you don’t know me lol.
I have taken her to the vet and she’s very healthy but unfortunately her age is starting to show. I do take her out multiple times after putting her in her crate to try and avoid her peeing inside but I believe it’s just happening in her sleep now or something and she can’t hold it anymore. Thank you for your suggestions but I would never take her to a shelter or have her put down. Definitely dog diapers is an option just afraid she might just want to rip them off but we’ll give them a try. Thanks again.
Look at some youtube videos about introducing harness or muzzles to your dog – use the same principles for the diapers. Zak George has a good one to watch. Let her sniff and treat. Then touch it to her and treat, lay it on her back and then treat. Treat then remove it. Treat then remove it, repeat, repeat, repeat. Work slowly until it is finally on place. Take it off and treat. Put it on- take it off and treat. Put it on, lure her to take a few steps , take it off and treat. Repeat. Good luck.
I was not trying to bash you at all. Just stating a fact. I am disabled and not in good health. Yet I still manage to care for my old ones and all the other rescues that get dumped over my fence. Many of them old and confused and possibly sick. It’s hard and it’s heartbreaking to see these dogs who with a small amount of care become well again. Most I am able to place, but the old ones always end up staying with me. Maybe I said what I did because I care too much.
I have found that as a dog ages they just can’t hold it long enough any more. Even older dogs usually take to paper training. Maybe you could try that. My Rheana is 17 and now lives in the corner of the couch. When she wants down she scratches my leg or the corner of the couch. She can no longer make the trek through the house to go out the doggy door. At 15 I was able to paper train her and she now goes on a piece newspaper under the coffee table only a foot away.
Unfortunatly I’m the kind of person that just states the fact as I see it. Sometimes it’s taken wrong. I care for dogs more than I care for most people. What you said about Savannah touched my heart. I feel the same way.