Not looking good again

[dame_wolf]

Well Nakona isn't looking good again. You can really see it yesterday and today and he is just off. He really appeared to recover from being sick but l just don't know. I think he's coming to the end of his road and there is nothing I can do about it. He isn't running a temp or really acting sick, just like tired and not acting himself and I can tell his arthritis is really starting to bother him. I was really hoping to have one more good year with him before having to tackle loosing him.

[WashingtonBay]

What's bothering him besides the arthritis again?

Arthritis can be pretty well treated, in dogs... have you tried Rimadyl?

[dame_wolf]

I haven't, I'll look into it.

He is just looking scruffy and tired. His coat is dull and corse and I don't know. He was a real playful dog and he's not interested in that anymore, he's getting snippy with the other animals and just seems interested in laying around and sleeping (more then normal).

[WashingtonBay]

Remind me what he's been recovering from when you say "not good again"? Because I don't remember....

[dame_wolf]

He had Kennel Cough that turned into an infection and 106 temp. Almost died.

[WashingtonBay]

Ah - geez... OK.

Try getting him on Rimadyl. Because I've had great results with it, with many aging dogs. With most, I didn't even have to give it continuously. A loading dose every day for a week to bring down the existing inflammation, and then just as needed when you see him slow down again... maybe a couple times a week, maybe even less often... like before or after a major exertion that makes him sore.

[dame_wolf]

Here you go WB

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7408

[dame_wolf]

Is it something I need an Rx for? Or can I get it from the pet store?

[WashingtonBay]

oh dear... yes... I remember that.

Rimadyl is prescription. Once you have a prescription, you can get it cheaper online, but the vet has to send a prescription to them.

[oursarge]

If he's in pain maybe that's why he's snippy with the other animals. If it's arthritis the medication might make him feel good enough that he'll get back to normal or semi normal without pain.

I hope you don't have to say Goodbye, we had to do that 3 weeks ago today and it's horrible. Noah just was not getting better. The vet guessed the lyme came back but I think it was more than that, his intestines were not right for weeks, he wouldn't eat, then that last day you could tell he was in pain. All of his blood tests came out fine but yet he had all the symptoms of kidney failure. He said we could try the newest Lyme test and give him anti biotics and see how it went but when a dog doesn't eat meat they are not good and he didn't want to touch food that day, a taste here and there but to actually eat he wanted no part of it and this is a dog who waited by the fridge and begged from our plates. We made the decision to put him down because there was no quality of life that last day, he was so unhappy. My heart is ripped out, I miss him so much I do nothing but cry. We got a puppy last week, I think it was WAY TOO SOON, I didn't even want another dog but my husband knows the depression I get into when I loose an animal. I told him that I'd be different this time because I have all he dogs at the stable but he was wanting another dog here. We have a Westie Rescue puppy now, cute as anything but I think she will be sending me to an early grave. She doesn't listen at all. We are working with a dog trainer and that's the only thing I think will get us through [I HOPE], I keep thinking it was so easy and comfortable with Noah. We were like one and now I have to get used to this new dog who is barking at and chasing my cats which I was assured she liked cats but now we have to deal with that, the cats are coming around though which is good, I wish they'd give her a good smack. I love her, she's so cute but I miss my Noah. He was the other part of my heart, Dommie was one part, Noah the other.

I really and truly hope that there is something that will help your baby to go on for another while and he will have a good quality of life so you don't have to go through what I'm going through, I wouldn't wish it on anyone even though we know when we get them we will probably outlive them it's never easy. Only thinking good thoughts for you.

[Equine_Woman]

Rimadyl is a wonder drug in my book. Made loads of difference in the two animals I've given it too. Have you had any blood work done on Nokona? It could be that something isn't functioning correctly and some meds might prolong his life. I know how you feel, I just recently lost my oldest cat and I was hoping it wouldn't be this year.

[dame_wolf]

He had some blood work done when he was in a couple months ago and nothing turned up then (just the infection). After seeing him at lunch I think that today it may be the heat and his arthritis. He is starting to act like he did before we took him to the vet (see above) but he has no temp and I'm really watching for that! I hosed him down anyway, just in case the heat is getting to him or he's starting a temp and made sure he had plenty of water. I'll see about getting a Rx for Rimadyl.

[Remali]

Oh dang it.....I was hoping he was doing OK. My Bentley has pain issues and I have him on Rimadyl as needed for the pain and it really works wonders.....I get it from my vet and it is not that expensive at all.

How is he doing tonight?

[dame_wolf]

Got him on Glucosamine Plus and if that wont work then the vet will get him on Rimadyl. He's acting better, more himself but the arthritis is still bothering him. Will take a day or 2 to get through his system.

[cheval]

Hoping he feels better very very soon.

{{{HUGS}}}

[vicklynn]

Hope he gets better soon.

[Remali]

Oh gosh, I sure hope he is feeling better soon and that the Glucosamine helps him. My Bentley was acting a bit off this morning so I gave him a half of a Rimadyl.... hope Nakona is still doing better, he is such a sweet doggie!

[dame_wolf]

Okay, update from over the weekend.

Nakona is doing much better! He's trotting around and runs up to the fence when people come by just like he used to. He's still snapping at the other animals and getting tired but I'm thinking that is the old age coming out. Nothing I can do about that... He and T.J. are playing again but just not a rough. In fact the last couple times they've played T.J. comes up and lays down infront of Nakona and they play laying down. It's so cute!

[cheval]

That is great news!!!

[Remali]

That's wonderful news, I'm glad he's doing better.....it sounds like the glucosamine is helping!