Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 (edited) I am watching Buster for a couple of days. Buster is 15 springer mix. No arthritis, getting cataracts but can see if anything shadows. But the weird thing is he will stand and then lose his balance a bit but in his front end. Lift his front foot up and then place it down like he missed a curb or something. What the heck is that? he stinks too, like a kennel, I am taking a half day to go home and bath him and trim him up. Can't MIL smell this? Any ideas? Edited June 15, 2007 by Madeara Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 If he or MIL's house has been smelly awhile, she probably doesn't notice. Could his anal glands need cleaning? Could be he just needs a nice bath, tho. Burpdog or KennelMom would have better advice about the funky motions, could be a little spinal cord compression (happens to older dogs) or a mild vestibular condition. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 He does not tilt his head so I don't think it is vestibular. I have never had a dog that showed these kind of aging signs. I believe he has the beginning of dementia too. God I hope she is patient with him too. Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 If he has a really bad smell, like stale pee, it could be a neglected kidney condition. If it's just 'doggy' it could be a yeast infection somewhere (ears would be my guess with a Springer mix) or something like sebhorrhea. Bath him and see! As to the weird stepping thing .. there are many possibilities. If his ears ARE bothering him, it could be that he wants to scratch at them but that's as high as he can swipe at his age. It could be vestibular, it could be a mild seizure disorder. It could be teeth. Some metabolic disorders (like kidney disease) will make a dog feel dizzy if they're not under control. I'd ask your MIL to get him a geriatric work-up. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 It is that stale pee smell! I would not be supriized if he did have a kidney issue. I feel that MIL might not spend the $ to find out. But maybe I can convince her to at least do it to see if he is in any discomfort or pain. Granted if she isn't going to treat the issue, euthanize him. I just can't see her tending to a geriatric dog when they become very needy. A bath will happen today. I will do his ears, trim and clip. Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Here is Buster a few years ago, and he still looks this good, well he has gotten a bit chubby too. click to enlarge Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatahound Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 What about an ear infection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Diving into the ears when I get home. I am taking a half day off to work on him. Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 It is that stale pee smell! I would not be supriized if he did have a kidney issue. I feel that MIL might not spend the $ to find out. But maybe I can convince her to at least do it to see if he is in any discomfort or pain. Granted if she isn't going to treat the issue, euthanize him. I just can't see her tending to a geriatric dog when they become very needy. A bath will happen today. I will do his ears, trim and clip. Can you get a sample to a vet while he's with you? Then at least you would know what you're dealing with. He's a gorgeous dog! Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Just a urine sample is all that is needed? Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 What a gorgeous dog!! If anyone can help him Audrey, it is you. Good luck and let us know how he does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytexplorer Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Yep----just a little bit is all they need----like a tablespoon! I have a special dish (kind of flat) that I keep just for this purpose. Transfer the urine into a plastic ziploc bag with Buster's name on it, and you're good to go. You are very sweet to do this for Buster. He doesn't like smelling bad. If your vet isn't covered up with clients today, they will do all this for you (including the urine sample and test). Poor Buster. Sweet You. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartdogs Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 He also needs the extra hair cleaned out if his ears like poodles do. Flop eared dogs get yeast infections very easily as the air can't circulate. Good luck, he'll feel better after a bath & some TLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbodogs Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Buster is beautiful! I hope he enjoys his 'spa day'. Liz Quote HARLEY'S FUND The House of Earl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 your right he is getting a SPA day we will do the Furminator flush out the ears trim the feathery feet wash with Dawn Baby shampoo on the head bone conditioner Trim the feathers on the legs trim the tail with a sweeping curve got the glass bottles with plastic lid from the lab so I will drop off urine I have just spent about 300.00 on Asia these past few days for her high albumin level tests... oh well Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Just a urine sample is all that is needed? Yep, if it's that bad it'll show up in urine. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytexplorer Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 ok it's almost 3 in the afternoon where you are how about an update? buster is such a beautiful dog----he deserves the spa treatment!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Maybe he just needs a spa day? Perhaps he doesn't get tended to as much as he should in the grooming dept? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Maybe he just needs a spa day? Perhaps he doesn't get tended to as much as he should in the grooming dept? Fingers crossed it's just that. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytexplorer Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 How did Buster's spa day go? What did the urine sample show? Can you post a pic of Buster post-spa? Thanx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KathyL Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Checking to see if Buster is feeling any better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.