snoopy :-(

hippychickuk · #1 27-01-11, 09:16 PM

i know this is a gsd forum, but, my dad has an irish wolfhound cross beardie collie, he is about 11-12 years old.
he has always been a very active dog. still running around like a puppy, jumping up for his ball when you throw it.
but for the last 2 weeks, he keeps having episodes where he has real problems getting up. he has also had episodes where he goes to get up, but falls a bit. his neck is also starting to stoop when he walks.
i know hes getting very old. and frail now, which is heartbreaking because he was such an active dog.
my dad is 82 years old, and on a pension, is there anything my dad can get to make the remainder of snoopys life more comfortable? is there any 'human' branded joint ease, he can have. my dad doesnt get a lot on his pension. but he dont want his dog to suffer either. my dad lives on his own with snoopy and he is my dads companion for a lot of the time. and he will be heartbroken if anything happened to snoopy.
personally i think his hips might be getting a bit weak. he probably hasnt got long left. hes aged so much in just 2 short weeks

Heather · #2 27-01-11, 09:27 PM

you could try the supplements recomended to me by Joanne (GSDOWNER) on this thread

http://www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk/fo...pplements.html

I've just started giving my dog glucosamine, rosehip and devil's claw.

hippychickuk · #3 27-01-11, 09:33 PM

thankyou for that info, i remember reading the thread, but couldnt find it. what amount would i give him. or would that depend on weight? i think he is roughly 40kg mabye a bit more

Heather · #4 27-01-11, 09:45 PM

I'm giving Polka 2 tablets a day of each one- she weighs about 35kg I think.

sami · #5 28-01-11, 10:54 AM

You can try Rhustox too. Its a homeopathic remedy for arthritis. It doesnt work on all dogs, absolutely amazing with Sami but does nothing for Leo.

You might also consider that he may be in pain. I have given my dogs one of those 75mg disopersible asprins before if they have seemed uncomfortable.

He isnt on Pension credits or such is he he might be able to use the PDSA.

Tracy

LOVEGSD · #6 28-01-11, 11:15 AM

I hope the supplements help your Dad's dog....xx

hippychickuk · #7 28-01-11, 12:46 PM

iv brought all the supplements heather suggested. so i will give him those when i go to my dads later on. where would i get Rhustox from??
my dads dog doesnt whine with pain or anything, so im not sure if he is in pain or not, so i wouldnt know whether to give him aspirin or not.
my dad does get pension credit, does that mean he wont get pdsa then?

sami · #8 28-01-11, 12:53 PM

I have just checked the pdsa site. Sorry I thought you could use them if you got pension credit but it has to be housing benefit or council tax benefit.

Rhustox you can get from a herbalists. Tell them what its for there are two doses. Think its £6.50 for 120 tabs if you try it (takes about 2 weeks to see if it works) and it doesnt work I will buy them off your dad to save him being out of pocket.

Problem with dogs and pain is it is so difficult to tell if they are in pain. Sometimes it just shows as a bit of irritability, not happy sort of thing, if you know what I mean.

I can only say about the Rhustox that Sami can hardly walk without it, it has been fantastic. On Leo though it had no effect whatsoever.

Tracy

sami · #9 28-01-11, 01:04 PM

You can use Blue Cross if you are on state pension but they dont have many centres, dont know if your dad is anywhere near them.

Tracy

hippychickuk · #10 28-01-11, 04:37 PM

my dad does get housing and council tax benefit. so i will look into pdsa for him. the good news is, i know my vet accepts pdsa.
i will definatley get some Rhustox, anything is worth a try when it can ease any pain or discomfort snoopy is feeling right now. can i get Rhustox from holland and barrett?? iv just looked on their website, and i cant find it on there.