Well, it’s only been a bit over a week since I started this blog — I thought it would be helpful to hear about other older 3-legged dogs, but Bailey has sadly gone downhill quickly. I think he is in more pain than I realize, as his walks have gotten shorter and shorter. Today, I stood on the sidewalk with him for almost 45 minutes after we went about one block. He has always loved his walks, and even on the daily Deramaxx, this interest has waned in the past 10 days. In addition, his anxiety has gotten worse — he caused more destruction yesterday, and even though I worked 1/2-day today, he was on Alprazolam, but three hours later when I got home, he was panting (with the air conditioner on), drooling puddles, and dilated eyes.
In fact, I did a list of “pros & cons” and realized that the cons far outweigh the pros. I have always told myself that I wouldn’t let his suffer, and I don’t want to wait until he is unable to lift himself up to consider putting him to sleep. In addition, seeing his anxiety is ever more heart-wrenching.
The vet thinks that perhaps the prozac isn’t working (only been on about a week), but I don’t know how I feel about trying another medication. He is only calm now when he is on the Alprazolam, and sadly, I’ve even had to use Acepromazine over the 4th, which another sad thing to see.
It is difficult with the 3-legs, to really ascertain how much pain he could be in, as a 4-legged dog can compensate with the other legs to help hold up a bad hip/leg, but Bailey can’t do that. I think the fact that he doesn’t enjoy his walks says quite a lot. He eats about 1/2 his food lately, and I even left a kong with cheese in it (one of his favorites), and he didn’t touch it.
He has had an excellent life — and I want him to be able to end it humanely. this is an awful decision that I’ve never had to make before, as Bailey is my first dog. I will talk to the vet today, but I have already decided that I won’t put him through more tests, nor does he have a good quality of life by being drugged most of the day.
I guess I’ll write more later, but I had to get this out. Thanks for listening!
Thanks for the update. We’re sorry to hear about Bailey’s condition. Drop by the Coping With Loss forum for lots of more advice and support from others if you don’t get many comments here. You have our best wishes for making the difficult decisions you now face with strength and courage. Peace.
Oh this is so hard, we’re so sorry. Bailey does sound like he’s in pain. But have you considered acupuncture? Or getting a second opinion? Pain meds and other pharmaceuticals can really make dogs nervous and change their personalities. Acupuncture does so much for dogs with serious mobility problems, I urge you to give it a try. It’s non-invasive and it really does help.
Good luck. We’re rooting for your hero.
I’m so sorry to hear the update about Bailey… I know that you must be feeling so bad right now… It’s so hard because they can’t tell us exactly what they’re really feeling… Maybe Baily is in pain… maybe he’s zonked out on his meds… Who knows?! But you know your baby the best… and if you truely feel that his quality of life is down, and your vet doesn’t think it can be improved… well then you must do what you think is best for Baily.
Sending you a big hug…
Angel Jake’s Mom
we are so sorry to hear bailey isn’t feeling his best. of course, you know him best, and can therefore best tell if he’s feeling poorly, down, etc. our paws are crossed that he ‘bounces back’ and starts enjoying his life again. jerry above mentioned acupuncture – gayle’s had about four treatments so far, and it really seems to ‘ease’ her back, shoulder, etc… if it’s available in your area, we suggest it, as it’s really been good for us. blessings to you and bailey.
charon & gayle
I am so sorry that Baily is not feeling well and that you are feeling that the end is near. It is such a personal decision for each of us–one made between you and your dog. All I can say is that you will know when it is time to let Bailey go, Bailey will let you know when he has had enough. Until that time continue to love him as you always have, treasure your time together and know that the decision, when it comes, will be the right one. I have never tried acupuncture but it is definitely in my arsenal now if the need should arise because I have heard lots of good things about it lately, here on Tripawds and elsewhere. If Bailey is not ready to go and there is a practitioner in your area then you might consider giving it a try. It might help for the anxiety as well. Here is a link I ran across the other day–9 ways to help your anxious dog–one of these strategies might help with the sep anx.
http://blogs.dogster.com/dog-training/ten-calming-aids-for-fearful-anxious-or-nervous-dogs/2010/06/?utm_source=dogster%2Bnewsletter&utm_medium=pull%2Blink&utm_campaign=100706
I have one of the TADE cds and it really works for us around here–K9 and human alike. None of us has severe sep anx though.
Wishing you days full of love and peace,
the Oaktown Pack
Bailey has been a Tripawd for 5 years right? He’s now 10… Is it really hot where you are? That’ll knock the wind out my four legged dogs sails, let alone my Tripawd’s. But YOU know your dog best…follow your heart in your decisions.. His anxieties do sound horrible….I know how those are to some extent as my other dog has noise phobia’s. Hey, just a thought…have you seen
http://www.thundershirt.com I got one for my noise phobic dog and it seems to be working.. I know it’s advertised for other phobia’s…there are some video’s on their website.
I recommend acupuncture as well if you have someone nearby to do it.
GOOD LUCK and hugs to you and Bailey…I hope the vet helps..
Tracy, Maggie’s Mom
Oh, I too am so sorry to hear about Bailey.
I do have experience with prozac. Comet took it only twice and it made her so out of it that I got scared and never used it again. There are so many side effects, I would wonder if it could have an opposite effect.
Yes, please come over to the forums, we are more active there and if anything more people will give you support.
Again, I’m so sorry.
Comet’s mom
I agree with Jerry…..some drugs can really mess them up emotionally without giving the proper “good effects”….I would seek another opinion…..and remember, if something is not working or making them worse, talk to your vet about stopping it, not adding more to it…..
Hugs….I hope things get better…..
Sorry to hear about Bailey, I used to have a dog named Bailey as well and your blog caught my eye.
Henry has horrible seperation anxiety when either of his pawrents have to go out of town for extended periods of time and usually ends up on prozac before the end the absent pawrent returns, but when he is taking it, we do not give him the prescribed dosage levels, usually half doses, as full prescribed dosage is just plain awful.
He does fine at home by himself during the day, but he certainly expects his people to come at the end of the day and after a few days of one of them being gone he begins his transformation into a complete and total mess; and although we do not like giving him the Prozac it is the lesser of two evils when he is in full spaz mode.
Henry also has arthritic hip issues and a few months back, before his Osteosarcoma diagnosis, we started him on Adequan shots, http://www.adequancanine.us/index2.shtml and I have to say the results have been simply amazing.
Before he began receiving the Adequan you could tell it was painful for him to get up and down. The results were not immediate, but after a couple of weeks you could begin to see the positive changes and his movement continued to improve to the point to where you would never know that he has arthritis at all. I do not know if this is something you would be willing to do, but it has worked very well for us and maybe it would for you as well.
I truely hope Bailey begins to feel better, his mobility returns to normal levels and his anxiety issues ease.
Hop Along Henry’s Dad