Busderpuddle Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 The last month or so Ruby's anxiety has worsened. She has also lost more weight due to her picky eating. Just when I think she is eating so well, she goes on a hunger strike. She is down to 1 cup of kibble on average a day, no matter what we mix in. All her ribs show. She has also become afraid of the sliding door, any noise outside, including kids, the school bus that drives by every day, loud cars or radios outside, rain and on and on. We have decided it is time for a vet visit for meds. In the past we have tried Clomicalm, Xanax, Prozac, and a couple others, all with zero help. Tonight after hearing a loud car, she panted and shook for over 4 hours, pacing back and forth to her crate. It is painful to watch, and tonight my husband was home to observe. This is happening about every other day now, always in the evening. Any ideas of what to have the vet check her for ? medication ideas ? This poor girl is suffering and we have to do something. It's so sad. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocsDoctor Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Hugs. No medical advice, but I am wondering if light massage or something like the T-Touch system is also worth trying? That would be something you could learn to do yourselves, and might prove reassuring for her. Look into thundershirts, too. Quote Clare with Tiger (Snapper Gar, b. 18/05/2015), and remembering Ken (Boomtown Ken, 01/05/2011-21/02/2020) and Doc (Barefoot Doctor, 20/08/2001-15/04/2015)."It is also to be noted of every species, that the handsomest of each move best ... and beasts of the most elegant form, always excel in speed; of this, the horse and greyhound are beautiful examples."----Wiliam Hogarth, The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Ask about Trazadone. It didn't make Mazy acted drugged, just calmed, the few times we really needed it. It only lasts for 4 hours. After seeing how frantic she was at the clinic, my vet wanted to observe her there while on the Trazadone. She then gave us the OK to use it. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 The anti natural folks' may flame me but please try some Rescue Remedy and other appropriate BACH flower essences (not a knock-off brand but BACH's). Many of us have had remarkable success with them. Sounds like her poor little energy is just going everywhere crazy like. Flower Essences may help her to get herself together. Some holistic vets use them and can help you select the best ones but if nothing else give her some Rescue Remedy(world famous) and mimulus-4 drops each at least twice a day. Competely safe. Doesn't have any contraindications. There is nothing to lose and it might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Has she had a full thyroid panel run recently? Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 She has had a thyroid panel done and it came back normal. We have tried Rescue Remedy and the Dap Diffuser. I have also bought her most, if not all of the calming remedies that Drs. Foster and Smith have to offer. I did make her an appt. for next Tuesday. I cannot remember if we tried Trazadone or not, but will talk to the vet about it. This girl is miserable every single night. It is so hard to watch her as you can clearly see how anxious she is. I know I wouldn't want to spend every day like that. Please keep the ideas coming so that I have a few things to suggest to the vet if he has no more great ideas. We have tried the Thunder shirt too, and she hated it. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 No advice, just hugs for poor, scared Ruby and her people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaidd49 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Has she had a full Tick Borne Disease panel done. Neurological impact and character change are not unknown with some of the tick borne nasties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 7, 2015 Author Share Posted May 7, 2015 She has not had a tick panel done but she has never been anywhere that she might have gotten into ticks. This character change is not new. We have been dealing with it since we brought her home 5 years ago. It is just getting worse. We have been looking at getting another smaller dog in the house, which may or may not help her. She is getting so thin she looks awful and we have tried everything food wise. I kind of feel like my vet is just going to stare at us next week. He has asked us what her quality of life is and that's a tough one. Most of the day she is happy and calm. For some reason around 5 PM most days something will trigger her. It didn't happen tonight though so we are celebrating !!! Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 If this is happening primarily near 5:00p and later, Ruby could be showing signs of dementia/sundowners. If you aren't already, I would leave at least a night light on for her and make her environment as bright as possible, and speak with the vet next week about an appropriate medication. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 7, 2015 Author Share Posted May 7, 2015 We were concerned about her getting dementia and did discuss this with the vet last time. What medications are out there for dementia ? I am actually afraid this is what is happening. She is almost 8 years old. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I would get a neuro consult at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Johberry Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Poor Ruby. No useful advice here, but wanted to send you good thoughts and vibes. Hopefully with the right meds, both you and Ruby will be able to get some peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 Can anyone tell me what medications they have used for dementia ? And what the outcome was ? This is not happening only when it is dark, in fact it usually starts around 5 PM and lasts until bedtime. Still daylight when it starts. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest k9soul Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I don't have much in the way of insight to offer, but I do think any decline in senses can increase anxiety. When my RB senior girl started losing her hearing and later her eyesight declined, she was more anxious and on guard. So maybe a look at her eyes and ears wouldn't be a bad idea. I hope you can get some answers and more importantly that you can find something to help her feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Anirpyl is one medication that can be used as well as some prescription diets. I still think you should consult with a neurologist. An 8 yr old dog may have something else going on. https://www.zoetisus.com/products/anipryl.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiancasMom Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I agree with tbhounds…Neuro consult. Things that look like anxiety can actually be seizures. Make sure you bring video footage for the neurologist to see. Anticonvulsants such as Keppra may help even if it is anxiety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 I will talk to the vet about a neuro consult. I also need to get her teeth cleaned. Dreading that. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Ruby had her appt. this morning and he ended up doing a lot of bloodwork on her, discovering that she has a weak rear end, her teeth don't look too bad, and her breath is horrendous, not caused by her teeth. He thinks it may be a stomach, liver or kidney issue. We are waiting for the labs to come back and will go from there. He said to start her on Pepcid twice daily, Rimadyl if her labs look OK, and possibly Tramadol after he sees the labs. So right now just waiting and hoping things are OK. He said it might be a good idea to get her teeth cleaned in the next year, but nothing urgent. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Thanks for the update-fingers crossed the blood work will look ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 I hope it is not her kidneys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 She has always had a issue with her kidney labs, so it very well could be that. It has never been bad enough to worry about before, but we know the day is coming probably. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Aquitaine and I went through a bad period where I thought she might be getting dementia, even though our walker/caregiver/friend Kelly told me I was out of my freaking mind. She could not go through the night, at 3-4 am every morning for a year she woke me up with her pacing. We would take a short pee walk but that was not really her issue. Then I read on here in a thread that Denamarin might work for the problem. I reasearched it, it looked fairly benign so I added it to her daily routine. It worked. No clue at all why, didn't really care. It worked and we were back to sleeping through the night within a week or so. I will say it is not cheap at all. The price is mildly better on Amazon than at the vet, but not by much. Also, a friend tried it with her girl for the same problem and it didn't work, so not a guarantee. Just worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 Rubys labs came back OK. She has a slightly low WBC and he wants to recheck it in 3 months. Everything else was normal, except her Creatinine was about where it always is. The vet is going to give Trazadone and Rimadyl. He did find a spot on her spine where she sunk down in her hind end when he pushed the vertebrae. Since she is having some trouble getting up, he thought the Rimadyl might help her. The Trazadone is for her anxiety. Hoping this helps. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I hope that helps your girl, it's so hard when they can't give a concrete diagnosis. Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 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.