He's Nqr - Can't Figure It Out

[Guest gryhnd3]

I noticed our 10 y/o male acting NQR late this afternoon. Normally, the afternoon is time to nag me for a walk, nag me for dinner, whine a little, follow me around, etc. I had been out and got back around 3:30, expecting him and the other active male to expect their walk. Instead, he was quiet. I enjoyed the peacefulness but I guess I should have been suspicious. He didn't even get up for dinner until I started getting it out. He ate fine, but then just seemed to be moving slowly afterwards. I took him outside after and he mostly just stood by me to be petted, normally he'd walk around the yard. I do not see any visible signs of anything - gums seem normal, no limping, the only thing I can say is that he seems to be moving slowly and just looking "unhappy". Any thoughts?He is not resting as comffortably as he normally does in the evening either, no signs of distress, just not sleeping/curled u like usual.

[Guest eaglflyt]

Does he have an elevated temperature? Any sore areas when you examine him? Poops OK? Does his urine look normal (if you've seen it)?

[Guest gryhnd3]

Does he have an elevated temperature? Any sore areas when you examine him? Poops OK? Does his urine look normal (if you've seen it)?

Sorry my post read a little funny. Seems with this new format,after I fill up the box, it doesn't fit my writing past that. In any case, did not get a chance to take his temp before he laid down. I did mention to DH that I should. This guy is a bit funny when we try to examine him, he will generally either run away or snap at us, we can't clip his nails (wasn't always this way) and if he's bleeding, we have a tough time tryig to ttreat him. His behavior has also changed in the last 5 months or so, he's snapped at DH twice - getting grumpy in his old age. That being said, I haven't seen him poop since realized his behavior wasn't normall this afternoon/evening, but everytrhing seemed fine earlier in the day. He has only done one quick pee and it was getting dark and I tried to run over to look at it, but missed it. Will need to get him out aagain before bedtime so will check then. The little bit of exam I did, he seemed okay but he's just not one that we can examine well due to his behavior. I think if he's not normal tomorrow, I may have to take him to the vet.

[Guest gryhnd3]

Had him outside, bodily functions are fine. I am beginning to wonder if perhaps he has hurt his neck somehow. He's never done that before, but that could explain why he doesn't seem quite comfortable, why he lays on his side for just a little bit but then goes back to straight ahead position, why he is walking so slowly instead of his usual speed. With his funky behavior, I am not comfortable moving his head around to check myself, so I guess best bet is the vet tomorrow if he is the same. Just thinking...I do have Deramaxx on hand and have given it to him before (under vet advice) for a shoulder flare-up that he has occasionally ...wonder if I should try it or wait/see the vet.

[Guest Mom2Shiloh]

Had him outside, bodily functions are fine. I am beginning to wonder if perhaps he has hurt his neck somehow. He's never done that before, but that could explain why he doesn't seem quite comfortable, why he lays on his side for just a little bit but then goes back to straight ahead position, why he is walking so slowly instead of his usual speed. With his funky behavior, I am not comfortable moving his head around to check myself, so I guess best bet is the vet tomorrow if he is the same. Just thinking...I do have Deramaxx on hand and have given it to him before (under vet advice) for a shoulder flare-up that he has occasionally ...wonder if I should try it or wait/see the vet.

 

If his behavior has been changing somewhat over the past 5 months, I might suspect that he might have started a problem that long ago. Wouldn't hurt anything to look at neck issues with a vet.. I would have the same reaction/questions you're having. Keep us posted

[TheFullHouse]

I'd get him to the vet. If he's uncomfortable lying on his side, he's probably in pain. I'd take him in for a good check up.

[Guest gryhnd3]

Thanks. He did sleep through the night okay, though not curled up like usual, and I didn't hear any fluffing of the bed so I definitely think he's not comfortable. There have been a few times he has looked like he was going to shake, but the collar just moved slightly so that's leading me to believe neck also. He got up fine, ate, went out, did trot a bit out there.

Re: his behavior, we did work with an animal communicator a few months ago. According to what he communicated to her, he was not in any pain at that time, he is just feeling grumpy with old age and sometimes it is harder to get up in the morning, he doesn't need any pain meds at this time. He "said" he snapped at DH because he thought he was trying to move him - which we never do, so who knows. We had gotten a new grey at that time also, which has caused a lot of disruption in the house, but that has improved, though far from perfect.

[CaliforniaGreys]

Maybe get him in and explain what you're seeing to your vet and have a senior panel done.

Better safe than sorry. Let us know please

[Guest gryhnd3]

Yes, I don't think he has had full labwork in awhile, just yearly check on his kidney function (he was diagnosed with kidney disease a long time ago and is on special diet which seems to work as creat has been normal). I guess I am a little hesitant to go to vet because a)I'm out of work so money is tight and b)the vet in this practice that I liked the best moved away this summer, so don't really feel terribly comfortable with any of them, especially the new one. However, I was going to do labwork at his yearly in April anyway, so I probably should just deal with it now. He's sleeping now Our older guy has had neck problems in the past and he was always in much worse shape so hopefully it is something mild.