14 year old dog....

[gunjunkie45]

My little girl is getting ancient. She's a rescue Shepherd mix. We've been through a lot of changes lately, so it's hard to fault her, plus she's old... We moved and had twins recently. She has grown to be really protective of the boys, which I appreciate... Problems that are becoming obvious, she's nearly deaf, she won't keep a regular eating schedule any more...Sometimes a couple days go by, she has accidents which was never a thing in the past.
How much is due to changes and how much is just her being a 14 year old Shepherd? To top it off she's been a healthy country dog, next to zero interaction with a vet. I don't want to stress her out too much with something she isn't used to if we're close to the end. I'd rather just go for that last walk no matter how much it will pain me.

 

[Caihlen]

She’s old man. Let her be. If there are no insurmountable issues let her live out her one and only life in peace.

 

[plong]

Enjoy her as long as you can! The twins are a really big change for her (and you, I’m sure...) My two are 18.5, female, and 16.5 male. Almost lost the male to congestive heart failure two years ago. After a trip to the doggy ER, our lives revolve around his pills: 5:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM... every day. He’s worth it though, best personality and disposition of any dog we’ve owned. I write this from the man cave couch with his head on my knee.

 

[davsco]

dogs def don't like change. sure she doesn't like getting less attention and perhaps the kids screaming and crying. but if she's in no obvious pain i'd put up with some of the problems. let her out more should = less accidents. maybe change to an older dog diet, i think we use eukanaba senior or something like that. and with food changes, not all at one time, blend from one to another over a couple of weeks. and good on you for rescuing a dog!

 

[BytorJr]

My dog was almost 14 when I lost him this February. I spent a small fortune on LASER, adequan and the like. But we got another 9 months together. It was either cancer or really bad IBS (he couldn't digest much the last 6 weeks, so I doubt the medicine was working) and not arthritis that got him. He too started having accidents the last 6 months which was likely his IBS or whatever got him in the end. Wonderful companion. I'd take him over any human I've ever known as far as being a "friend" and a buddy. Hell, he was a therapy dog I didn't even know I needed. I miss him.

Just make the most of the time you have left. She'll let you know one way or the other. When mine lost 6 lbs in a week I knew. He stopped eating and the like. He too went to the "non-scheduled eating" about 6 months before he passed. I hate to say, but her time is near; just enjoy it, reassure her and love her. Probably the same thing you already do, but just it more.

 

[Bandit31]

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but you may consider trying CBD oil or chews to alleviate some discomfort.

 

[BytorJr]

I tried CBD oil for joints and it definitely worked, IMO, better than glucosamine. But it's quite expensive.

 

[candyx]

My little girl is getting ancient. She's a rescue Shepherd mix. We've been through a lot of changes lately, so it's hard to fault her, plus she's old... We moved and had twins recently. She has grown to be really protective of the boys, which I appreciate... Problems that are becoming obvious, she's nearly deaf, she won't keep a regular eating schedule any more...Sometimes a couple days go by, she has accidents which was never a thing in the past.
How much is due to changes and how much is just her being a 14 year old Shepherd? To top it off she's been a healthy country dog, next to zero interaction with a vet. I don't want to stress her out too much with something she isn't used to if we're close to the end. I'd rather just go for that last walk no matter how much it will pain me.View attachment 7400428

Be thankful for the time she share with you and your family , its amazing how animals become part of your family and they how they protect your family......

 

[gunjunkie45]

Her joints seem fine. Near total lack of hearing,
acting confused, abnormal eating habits, and shitting in the house are the issues. Her hearing has gotten so bad recently that I have to tap her on the shoulder to wake her up to go out. I can call her or whistle, she doesn't budge. It's been a while coming. I know she's getting up there. Recently she's been ignoring her food and having a lot of house training issues.

 

[Broncovan]

Her joints seem fine. Near total lack of hearing,
acting confused, abnormal eating habits, and shitting in the house are the issues. Her hearing has gotten so bad recently that I have to tap her on the shoulder to wake her up to go out. I can call her or whistle, she doesn't budge. It's been a while coming. I know she's getting up there. Recently she's been ignoring her food and having a lot of house training issues.

We had one that ended up with diabetes, went blind from the diabetes and eventually deaf. She started going downhill badly toward the end, the vet said it was like dementia. Loss of hearing and sight led to confusion and being easily startled. Always lost, scared and bit at us when we tried to pick her up. It was an extremely hard decision, but with little grandkids around that were used to playing with her thre was only one thing to do. It's a tough last walk, lonely....

 

[Bandit31]

Her joints seem fine. Near total lack of hearing,
acting confused, abnormal eating habits, and shitting in the house are the issues. Her hearing has gotten so bad recently that I have to tap her on the shoulder to wake her up to go out. I can call her or whistle, she doesn't budge. It's been a while coming. I know she's getting up there. Recently she's been ignoring her food and having a lot of house training issues.

CBD will do more than just provide relief for the joints. Depending on the cause of confusion, it will reduce inflammation in the brain and provides a calming effect if she becomes anxious. It may also help with the eating if your dogs guts are in distress. A limited ingredient diet may also provide some relief as well to a slight effect.

 

[BullGear]

I'm sure it's a combination of all these things. Give the dog some time. If it is an age related thing, learn to deal with it. Because once they are gone, it's leaves an emptiness in your heart that is unworldly.

I'm a pretty level headed guy and I had to put down my Lab. It's been months and we have a new puppy, but I gotta tell you, I miss my Bailey like you wouldn't believe. I watched Racing In The Rain and just about lost it, the wife did lose it. My new pup is cool, but I gotta tell ya, I miss my little buddy so much.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Think about her end of this. If she's suffering, don't make her continue that no matter how much you want more time with her.

If she's happy, treat her especially well, because she's not going to be there forever, and those good moments count a lot.

My little cat is pushing 12, and is happy, but needs help nowadays. She's a rescue, and already had permanent health issues by the time we got her at about one year of age, a truly sweet little cat. I treat her with as much kindness as I can manage.

Greg