11 year old Sky is definitely not herself. This past week she has declined her early morning walk. It’s a long one so maybe she is now saying that one’s not for her anymore in which case fair play - she’s been doing it all her life. She has gone on the lunchtime/early afternoon one but the last few days declined that one too. It’s been hot so I feel happier she doesn’t do that one. Yesterday, I was getting Red ready for her early evening little jaunt and Sky appears at the door wagging her tail. So I took her too. She struggled - head down, stopping, panting. Today she looks most unhappy. She let me groom her earlier (she has a really thick coat and is shedding) but she is just lying down - no walks as yet. DH and I are wondering if it’s the increase in the Rheumocam for her arthritis in her front legs. Her walking is quite ‘peg legged’ - her front legs must be painful. We are going to knock it back again (vet told us to increase it) and see what happens. Hate seeing her like this - just want her to be happy - love her so much.
Could be the heat. What's the temperature like at night? Maybe she would be happier then. Otherwise I'd take her to see the vet.
She is usually ok with the heat. I don’t think it’s that. We saw the vet a couple of weeks ago - she upped her Rheumocam dose - think it’s that. Will know in the next few days as we will go back to dosage she was on before. She got excited when I got the afternoon kong out. Will see whether she wants to come walking with me and Red later.
May be an idea to talk to your vet about med side effects. Our previous lab (BJ, epileptic) was a brave fella - as most of our labs are in fact. He was prescribed a med for his epilepsy and seemed to be fine and seizures certainly became fewer. Then one day, he seemed down, reluctant to go for walks, generally acting very much like your Sky. Eventually he threw up what looked for all the world like coffee grounds. On checking with the vet, we were told his tummy was bleeding and this was actually partially digested blood - in other words, he had a bleeding ulcer. It was a side effect of the drugs he had been on for about 3 years by this time. Dosage had been upped gradually. They are courageous these dogs of ours and even when in pain, just get on with it for as long as they can. Fingers crossed for Sky and that you get it sorted - pronto.
I hope you find the cause soon. Meanwhile, keep giving her Kongs! Perhaps she'll prefer and evening walk.
Yes I do wonder about that. Vet did offer blood tests but as Sky has only been on medication for a year, I declined. Will bear it in mind. She has just been out for a walk with me and Red. Walked at a good pace. See how she is tomorrow. Thank you everyone for your kind and helpful comments.
Its very hard when they get to this age.l hope you can speak to your vet and have some ideas for improving how she's feeling.xxx
Sorry to read this @Atemas about your lovely Skye Good that she feels better this afternoon. I agree talking to the vet about the medication pro's and con's would be a good idea.
I do hope Sky is feeling better today, sometimes it's hard with medicines. I've had experience of this with a previous boy, as you are the person with your dog all the time, trusting your instinct and reporting this back to the vet is the best way to get a good balance between drugs and quality of life.
She declined the walk again this morning but she tolerated Red wanting to play for a bit - she’s snoozing now. We have reduced her medication today so will see how it goes. Yes, I feel we work well with our vet managing Sky but you are right @SteffiS, I think our instinct is a great thing. Sky has never been the same since Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis- it’s hard to explain but when we have days like yesterday, it just reminds me of all that and I start to worry about her. Such a great dog.
@Atemas, I was browsing a website this morning, when I came across magnetic coats for dogs, and also collars, apparently they are said to help with arthritic type pain, I wonder if it's worth you looking into them?
