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ZoomDoggy

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    Spot On Frosty's Eye

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by ZoomDoggy

    The "white spot" does not sound like pannus. I did have a hound who had basement membrane degeneration, which caused a corneal ulcer that wouldn't heal until the specialist did an open grid keratotomy. My Sissy was on eyedrops for life after that, and never had a recurrence. :)

     

    I would have your dog seen by the vet ophthalmologist directly, not just a consult over the phone from your reg vet. Specialists often catch what regular vets will miss.

    Treat Ideas For A Toothless Pup

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    My Chancy had only seven teeth left after her final dental. I kept extra-yummy things on hand for her when my other dogs had their normal crunchy treats. Sliced bologna, chopped-up hot dogs, soft BilJac treats, chopped up Natural Balance rolls, peanut butter blobs, cheese cubes, things like that. The others got a little jealous, but I told them if they ever lose all their teeth, they'll get the "good stuff" too. :lol

    Symptoms?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I agree that a "well check" is in order with your own vet. To establish a baseline for future reference, if nothing else. I also want to point out (tho I don't know the color of your dog) that black dogs tend to feel the heat more intensely than lighter colored dogs, particularly if walking in the sunshine. That shiny black fur just absorbs the heat very effectively.

    So What Do You Do With A 15 Yo Who Wants To Eat

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by ZoomDoggy

    Here are a few things I learned through experience about syringe feeding. Ask for the largest oral syringe you can get from your pharmacist. Cut the very tip off the opening, as there is an inner lip that makes the opening even narrower (the narrower the opening, the finer the liquid must be to go through it). File the edges with a nail file if they seem sharp after cutting. (don't bother with a turkey baster-- I tried and they're messy and useless)

     

    This part I did in batches of about 12 cups...

    Pre soak kibble in a container with water and/or broth, enough to cover the kibble by an inch. (I also added Missing Link Plus-1 tsp per cup of kibble- while soaking, as it added nutrients and also had the benefit of helping break down the kibble even further). Let this soak in the refrigerator for at least six hours, a day is better. Then put the mushy soaked kibble in a food processor with additional water/broth and process until very very smooth. You'll know it's the right consistency when you can put the tip of the syringe into it and draw up a full tube without too much resistance or it getting clogged. Think smooth yogurt...

     

    Once the food is all pureed, I put it back in a container and refrigerate, spooning out servings and warming them with additional water and/or microwaving as needed. I found that I could also add certain meds at this point by using a mortar & pestle to grind them to powder and mixing into the meal (only th ones that don't taste awful or have time-release coatings).

     

    I found that when they've been on hunger strikes, their tummies do shrink, so many small meals is a good way to start.

     

    I sat with the doggie, where she was comfortable, and gently held the muzzle with one hand while sliding the tip of the syringe between the side teeth and angle toward the throat (don't need to cram it in, just the tip between the side teeth works) Once the plunger starts pushing the food out onto the tongue, my girls always started automatically licking and swallowing. I matched the rate of my plunging with the rate of their swallowing, and paused periodically so they could catch their breath. None of my girls seemed to mind being fed this way, even after they'd given up on voluntarily eating. They just patiently sat there, waiting for the next syringe-full.

     

    This method does take a lot of time and effort and patience, but to me it was worth it to not have to watch my girls waste away despite my best efforts to find various foods that they'd deign to even try, meanwhile praying it'd not upset their stomachs. I also found this method preferable to cramming food into them as someone once suggested. :blink:

     

    Let me know if I left out anything important. :)

     

     

    ETA: I should mention this method was developed out of necessity for my girls when they were very very sick. If it was "only" pickiness and not health-related, I'd certainly try other things first.

    So What Do You Do With A 15 Yo Who Wants To Eat

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Audrey, I know all too well several times over what you're going through. Sissy, Chancy and Marla all went through the uber-picky eating thing. Drove me to tears and rage and back to tears on many occasions. I had an entire fridge dedicated solely to various food options for my dog. :crazy:

     

    When all else failed, I did discover that syringe-feeding wasn't as hard or an unwelcome as I'd feared. And it did effectively keep weight on without upsetting their bowels (because it was their normal diet, liquefied) even when they were very sick. :sad1

     

    Good luck, try to stay patient, and give that gorgeous golden boy a big gentle hug from me. :)

    A Happy Hound With Increased Panting

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by ZoomDoggy

    Mary Beth,

     

    You may want to start a new topic for your post- I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses. :)

     

    Heather

     

    Hi everyone this is my first time on your site. I need some advice on what to do for Bandit who is 12years old. He had come down with a supposively neurological problem, which happened within a few weeks time which is so not like his personality to slow down AT ALL. This grey was never sick a day in his 10+ years with me.

    It started after a jump out of a SUV which injured his hind leg. He favored this by not putting weight on it and in time I noticed him draging it when he walked. Maybe a week later he started this with the front paw on the same side. I also feel he cannot see out of the same side eye. This could be a result of him scatching his cornea 8 months ago ( my guess ).

    Took him to the neurologist recommeded by my vet but he feels he would not subject a 12 year old grey to general anesthesia for an MRI. He had some blood tests and came up + for lymes which he was treated with AB's. He started more frequently with the panting and we are going back to the doctors tomorrow because I am very worried.

    Tomorrow I will ask him to do any test possible to see if it could be any other contributing factors causing the physical changes and the panting. He was also noted with a heart arrythemia but they felt it was the severe stress he exhibits when I take him into the vet hospital.

    I would appreciate any help at any level.

    Sincerly

    MaryBeth and Bandit

     

    I agree, you should start a new topic in Health & Medical, and you'll get a better response rate.

     

    I wonder if it's possible you're dealing with a minor stroke...?

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