Long two part question about a sick dog.

[H. Lecter]

Got an 8-10 year old German shepherd mix. Had her for about 3 years. She followed me home from neighbors who’s other dogs were aggressive toward her and she decided she wasn’t going back. They said keep her. This dog followed me everywhere, chasing me on my four wheeler all over our property, slept at the foot of my bed, greeted me when I came home, etc. about 2 weeks ago she starts acting like she had a stroke, walking in circles, won’t come outside with me, doesn’t even acknowledge me. Doesn’t know me.
Took her to the vet and she said she’s just sick with arthritis and that’s affecting her mentally cause of pain. $430 worth of blood tests etc. and your telling me nothings wrong with my dog. I said I’m giving her a month and if no improvement I’m putting her to sleep?
A. What would y’all do?
B. If you’re putting her down...how?

 

[mdlUK.1]

What do you mean nothing is wrong with her? The vet told you it was arthritis and that she is in pain?

wtf do you mean, “ how would we put her down”? Take her to the goddamn vet and have them do it humanely. Smh .

 

[gobigbluebell]

Sorry about your dog. I don’t know, that sounds weird about her not recognizing you. This just happened all the sudden? Has she had trouble getting up and down? Seems like arthritis would be something that would gradually show up and get worse over time.

Maybe get a second opinion?

Hope she gets better, but if not, and her quality of life is bad, it’s best to let the vet put her down with shots.

There are a lot of good dogs that need good owners. It sucks losing one, but it’s an opportunity to give another good boy a good home.

 

[cat_in_the_hat]

What did the vet say about treatment for the arthritis and the pain? Perhaps that would solve the problem of how she is acting if the vet is correct about her condition. I would try treating her and see if she improves. Perhaps something as simple as glucosamine and chondroitin would make her feel a lot better. My vet suggested that for a Lab I had that had arthritis and after 3 weeks or so I could notice a difference in how he was getting around. I know they also make arthritis medicine for dogs, so that may be an option as well.

If you have to put her down, let the vet do it.

 

[MGGA]

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Def get a second opinion.. some vets are legit just collecting money from pet owners who are willing to shell it out.

Sorry to hear about the doggo. Sucks.

 

[UKGrad93]

My dog had a small skin infection and started acting tired. Got the infection treated, but he was still very lethargic. They ran some labs and found that he was having a flare up of Lyme. Got that treated and been good ever since.

 

[warrior-cat]

Got an 8-10 year old German shepherd mix. Had her for about 3 years. She followed me home from neighbors who’s other dogs were aggressive toward her and she decided she wasn’t going back. They said keep her. This dog followed me everywhere, chasing me on my four wheeler all over our property, slept at the foot of my bed, greeted me when I came home, etc. about 2 weeks ago she starts acting like she had a stroke, walking in circles, won’t come outside with me, doesn’t even acknowledge me. Doesn’t know me.
Took her to the vet and she said she’s just sick with arthritis and that’s affecting her mentally cause of pain. $430 worth of blood tests etc. and your telling me nothings wrong with my dog. I said I’m giving her a month and if no improvement I’m putting her to sleep?
A. What would y’all do?
B. If you’re putting her down...how?

If you are putting her down, let the vet do it. They will also dispose of the body. With arthritis though did the vet suggest glucosamine dog treats? I have one who is experiencing arthritic pain and I have been giving her glucosamine chewable dog treats for a few weeks now. It will probably take a little longer to really find out if it will work but, they say it should help. I was experiencing hip problems a few years back and started taking glucosamine supplements and it really helped me so...

 

[berniecarbo]

cbd oil could help with arthritis. tumeric could also help with arthritis. try a different vet. It could be vistibular. Are her eyes/pupils jumping around?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'll say this.. you put that dog down without you being present and you can **** right off. Im not saying you would.. but people who just drop a dog off and won't be with it when they put him/her down is ******... its more often than you think

 

[TortElvisII]

There's medicine you know. And treatments.

 

[Bigtyrone]

What you're describing sounds like a lot more than arthritis. I'd have another vet check things out.

 

[DSmith21]

Try some dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin before you put it down. That really helps with joint pain.

 

[WonderBraa]

Arthritis shouldn’t be a death sentence in most cases

 

[H. Lecter]

Sorry about your dog. I don’t know, that sounds weird about her not recognizing you. This just happened all the sudden? Has she had trouble getting up and down? Seems like arthritis would be something that would gradually show up and get worse over time.

Maybe get a second opinion?

Hope she gets better, but if not, and her quality of life is bad, it’s best to let the vet put her down with shots.

There are a lot of good dogs that need good owners. It sucks losing one, but it’s an opportunity to give another good boy a good home.

Thank you

 

[UKRob 73]

Get a second opinion. Something is off. Give the poor dog a chance to get better before you give up on it. Animals get sick, and most times get better.

 

[Bigblue2023]

Its amazing how people view pets as a disposable accessory. Dogs in pain don't typically seek comfort from human interaction, its quite the opposite. She does know you, but can't get past whatever is wrong with her. Maybe you should be seeking additional help rather than giving her an expiration date.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Don't know if this could be a possibility. I didn't even know it happened in animals until I looked it up.

Recognizing the Signs of Alzheimer’s in Your Pet​

The most dramatic signs owners might notice are dogs “acting disoriented, walking in circles, or staring into corners or [at] the wall.”

Other symptoms include aggression, changes in sleep patterns, loss of interest in family members and inability to control urination or defecation “in more than just an incontinent way — almost like they’re forgetting how to be house trained,” Bolser said.

 

[warrior-cat]

I'll say this.. you put that dog down without you being present and you can **** right off. Im not saying you would.. but people who just drop a dog off and won't be with it when they put him/her down is ******... its more often than you think

Agree, most vets will let you stay with them when they put them to sleep. We did with one of ours. A couple died of old age in our home. Went to work, come back and found dead in the back yard (old age). You just wrap them up and take them to the vet for incineration or bury them yourself depending on where you live and local laws. We have 2 right now that are pretty much on their last legs and are contemplating putting one down. Suspect cancer and will have him tested here shortly. Does not move much, only to eat and go out to use the bathroom. Found some lumps recently so, he is scheduled for shots and we will have him checked out then. 11 years old so he is getting up in age. Got him when he was 8 months old from the local pound. Euthanasia was just days away. We have a big yard so we have 5 dogs (all rescue animals). Local law says three but, privacy fence helps keep nosey people at bay.

 

[H. Lecter]

Don't know if this could be a possibility. I didn't even know it happened in animals until I looked it up.

Recognizing the Signs of Alzheimer’s in Your Pet​

The most dramatic signs owners might notice are dogs “acting disoriented, walking in circles, or staring into corners or [at] the wall.”

Other symptoms include aggression, changes in sleep patterns, loss of interest in family members and inability to control urination or defecation “in more than just an incontinent way — almost like they’re forgetting how to be house trained,” Bolser said.

That pretty much describes her minus the aggression.

 

[H. Lecter]

First off some of y’all are presumptuous ********. Love it btw. I’m treating the dog with arthritis medicine prescribed by the vet as well as treats also prescribed by the vet. The reason I question vets diagnosis of arthritis is because my dog literally followed me everywhere on our farm. Chasing me on four wheeler and tractor just 2 weeks ago. Now I f I let her out without leashing she’ll get lost (there’s 15,000+ acres of woods bordering my property). When I cage her she keeps pushing her head on the sides trying to get out but I gotta go to work and can’t leave her out or she’ll destroy the house. She’s not herself and that’s why I said if she’s still like this in a month I’ll put her down. I’d want the same for me. I love my dog but not dropping thousands to be told there’s nothing I can do. I’ve had to put a dog to sleep at the vet before and I don’t wish it on anyone. My question of how was regarding euthanasia at home (Not with a gun) and wondering if anyone has had a vet come to the house or used helium to do it yourself. I should have clarified. I was drunk.

 

[berniecarbo]

First off some of y’all are presumptuous ********. Love it btw. I’m treating the dog with arthritis medicine prescribed by the vet as well as treats also prescribed by the vet. The reason I question vets diagnosis of arthritis is because my dog literally followed me everywhere on our farm. Chasing me on four wheeler and tractor just 2 weeks ago. Now I f I let her out without leashing she’ll get lost (there’s 15,000+ acres of woods bordering my property). When I cage her she keeps pushing her head on the sides trying to get out but I gotta go to work and can’t leave her out or she’ll destroy the house. She’s not herself and that’s why I said if she’s still like this in a month I’ll put her down. I’d want the same for me. I love my dog but not dropping thousands to be told there’s nothing I can do. I’ve had to put a dog to sleep at the vet before and I don’t wish it on anyone. My question of how was regarding euthanasia at home (Not with a gun) and wondering if anyone has had a vet come to the house or used helium to do it yourself. I should have clarified. I was drunk.

Some vets will come to your home. Won't hurt to ask. Are her eyes rolling? If so, it's a chance it's vestibular ( aka old dog's disease). Some dogs recover or at least improve over time from it.

 

[H. Lecter]

Her eyes aren’t rolling or jumping. Just staring into nothing.

 

[rick64]

Sorry to hear about the dog. I think I’d try and get another opinion. If it is arthritis, there are meds and treatments that can give them some relief to improve their quality of life. If the dog is able to get up to eat/drink and go to the bathroom then that’s still a good sign. Good luck!!

 

[55wildcat]

As the owner of two German Sheps that is scary. IMO arthritis is not there then next day full blown pain. Its a gradual thing. First thing I would do is get another opinion. With what you are describing (to me) your dog could be going blind. That is an age thing. Hearing is also affected by age as I'm dealing with that now with my 11 yr old. Good luck with your pup.

 

[berniecarbo]

As the owner of two German Sheps that is scary. IMO arthritis is not there then next day full blown pain. Its a gradual thing. First thing I would do is get another opinion. With what you are describing (to me) your dog could be going blind. That is an age thing. Hearing is also affected by age as I'm dealing with that now with my 11 yr old. Good luck with your pup.

As they age, German Shepherds are one of the breeds where hip dysplasia is common as they age. We had a boxer who developed those problems. We had to make a set of wheels for her back legs so she could move around. Eventually it paralyzes their whole body though. As an fyi, we gave her CDB oil and it kind of helped her deal with her problem emotionally.

 

[BlueRaider22]

cbd oil could help with arthritis. tumeric could also help with arthritis. try a different vet. It could be vistibular. Are her eyes/pupils jumping around?

Agreed. There a bunch of things that could be beneficial.

Acupuncture/Dry Needling also works well

 

[berniecarbo]

Agreed. There a bunch of things that could be beneficial.

Acupuncture/Dry Needling also works well

We tried those on our boxer who had hip dysplasia with moderate success. We even drove her from western Ky to Palm Beach Florida to the world's leading researcher in hip dysplasia for dogs, again with very moderate success. She hated the wheel chair type wagon we built for her back legs. Till it progressed to far forward in her body, she could drag her back half as quick as most dogs can run with 4 legs. CBD oil helped her deal with it, but eventually you could tell she was ready to go so we put her down.

 

[55wildcat]

As they age, German Shepherds are one of the breeds where hip dysplasia is common as they age. We had a boxer who developed those problems. We had to make a set of wheels for her back legs so she could move around. Eventually it paralyzes their whole body though. As an fyi, we gave her CDB oil and it kind of helped her deal with her problem emotionally.

I agree fully about the hips, but that just does not happen overnight. I did have one where her hips started to flare up and eventually had to put her down. One was 15, the other 17.. My 11 year old still gets around great, has no problems of pain. I have a 5 yr old as well. When somebody or another animal comes around they both are right there.
Do you use CDB oil regularly or only when symptoms start. I have heard and read the benefits of CDB for dogs..

 

[berniecarbo]

I agree fully about the hips, but that just does not happen overnight. I did have one where her hips started to flare up and eventually had to put her down. One was 15, the other 17.. My 11 year old still gets around great, has no problems of pain. I have a 5 yr old as well. When somebody or another animal comes around they both are right there.
Do you use CDB oil regularly or only when symptoms start. I have heard and read the benefits of CDB for dogs..

Regularly. The little lady also likes cats and had very good results with CBD oil with a cat that had cancer.

 

[UKGrad93]

As for having the dog put to sleep at home, my neighbor had the vet come to her house last spring to put her dog down. I think it was less stressful on the dog than taking it to the vet’s office.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Sounds like that vet needs to be put down. You should shoot him

 

[55wildcat]

Don't know if this could be a possibility. I didn't even know it happened in animals until I looked it up.

Recognizing the Signs of Alzheimer’s in Your Pet​

The most dramatic signs owners might notice are dogs “acting disoriented, walking in circles, or staring into corners or [at] the wall.”

Other symptoms include aggression, changes in sleep patterns, loss of interest in family members and inability to control urination or defecation “in more than just an incontinent way — almost like they’re forgetting how to be house trained,” Bolser said.

Is that something that happens fast or something thats gradual. I had no idea dogs could get this.

 

[55wildcat]

As for having the dog put to sleep at home, my neighbor had the vet come to her house last spring to put her dog down. I think it was less stressful on the dog than taking it to the vet’s office.

I have noticed many funeral homes now offer cremation for pets. My friend had her boxer cremated and remains returned to her for about 250 bucks

 

[berniecarbo]

I have noticed many funeral homes now offer cremation for pets. My friend had her boxer cremated and remains returned to her for about 250 bucks

We had 2 of our boxers cremated by a local vet for well less than that, though I forget how much. The little lady made lamps with their ashes inside and they sit by our bed. Billy was a rescue about 6 months old who didn't even know how to play till he met Maddie who was still a pup then. They were best friends.

 

[berniecarbo]

Jan just reminded me that I've been calling it hip dysplasia when it was actually degenerative myelopathy. Where's my dunce hat? Both are common in some breeds. It's kind of the dog version of Lou Gehrig's Disease.