How do you treat your dog

[Gumby]

when it's getting old? My main girl is the "alpha wolf" when I'm not around.
She has troube with her rear legs now, and doesn't want the other dogs to know it. She lags behind on purpose, so they won't see her troubeling to move around.
Sucks, but it is what it is.

She is still the dominate leader. Maybe not for long. How do you make the transition/do you? Serious question.

[4406v]

A wise old vet once told me "If your keeping the dog alive for you , it's probably the wrong reason"

Think about it.

If your dog is suffering through the day and in obvious pain. You need to make a choice.

I had to put down my 14 year old lab in October. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make with a dog. It was the right thing to do.

It was the last kind thing I did for my buddy.

[Oldschool]

How do I treat my dog?   Hmmmm......  Let's just put it this way:

From my dog's perspective:

I have food when I want it.
I have water when I want it.
I have vet care when I need it.
I live inside, but can go outside when I want.
I have a 3600 sq ft brick home.
It is climate controlled - I don't get too hot or too cold.
I have my own bed.
And best of all  --  all of this comes with 2 faithful servants.....

        

[AAR6BBL]

A wise old vet once told me "If your keeping the dog alive for you , it's probably the wrong reason"

Think about it.

 
I went through the exact same thing a while back, toughest decision I ever made, and cried like my heart was broken.
(It was!)
Took me a couple of years before I could get my current lady, now the love of my life.
You will now when it is time, and even then it will be hard, but in your heart you will now what is best for your friend.
 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I don't know what type of dog you have, but I do know a "little" having had 6 German Shepherds. First off, her back legs... don't assume "hips". This is a sore spot with BIGS, if I hear one more hes/shes got "bad hips" from idiots that know nothing I'm gonna go nuts! Many large breed dogs have had (PARDON SPELLING HERE) macular degeneration. The way my vet explained it is the nerves get a "coating " on them. And they progressively loose feeling, this makes walking/stairs more difficult. Because the feeling sensation is less the muscles start to loose mass and the dog starts loosing weight. Imagine a person who cant "feel" their legs. Eventually they cant feel when the need to poop either, but not in all cases.  I lost my best 2 Sheps because of this, after awhile one couldn't stand up any more. The other was just fading out very fast. I lost him 2 weeks ago. In both cases heart/lungs /kidneys all good!

On a large dog I would suggest roughly 1500mg a day glucosamine w chondroitin half morning half nite. Buffered aspirin can be given for pain/inflammation 325mg. If you notice blood in the stool half it and spread out the dosage. My last one was on that combo for about a year and was a happy boy till the last few days.......

My vet also tell me the University of Florida is working on this disease but no treatments as of yet.

If this is not the issue.... never mind.... 

[4406v]

BIGSHCLUNK

I have also had Shepherds in the past (I like BIG dogs) What you've described is very common in senior dogs. One thing I would caution is NEVER give a dog Ibuprophen (advil) this will cause liver and kidney failure. Buffered asprin may be o.k. but I'd consult a vet before giving a dog over the counter medicines made for people.

I could be wrong but I thought macular degeneration was related to eye sight?

I am no expert just a life long dog owner with about 10 great dogs in my past. I still haven't forgot that they are dogs NOT PEOPLE. If your vet starts talking to you like your dog is a person I'd caution you to find another vet. Especially if they start quoting crazy sounding surgeries and thousands in vet bills. Modern day veterinary medicine has gone beyond caring for animals and with a lot of vets it's all about the money!!! They will take advantage of you and your pets will suffer for it.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Like I said pardon the spelling. and AGREED never give ibuprophen!!!!! ASPRIN ONLY

[dodj]

My brother in law had a medium sized dog that had difficulty with the back legs. Thought they were going to have to put him down rather than suffer. The vet gave him some steroids. It's been three years now and 'Hootch' is still walking around with his tail wagging. He's no sprinter, but his tail is wagging. Hopefully that means he's happy.

[Sonnythebull]

Metacam does wonders for old dogs with pain

[Chryco Psycho]

A wise old vet once told me "If your keeping the dog alive for you , it's probably the wrong reason"

Think about it.

If your dog is suffering through the day and in obvious pain. You need to make a choice.

I had to put down my 14 year old lab in October. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make with a dog. It was the right thing to do.

It was the last kind thing I did for my buddy.

 Too bad we are not this kind to people

[Gumby]

It's not my first rodeo. Most of my dogs have lived far beyond their average life excpectancy. (chow 16 1/2, lab mix 17 3/4. Vet was astonished at that one. etc.) Thank you for the replies.
Seems cancer gets most of them. One at age 5 from lymphoma. Good god, that sucked bad. Horrible stuff.  I've only dealt with leg issues once before. Austrailian Shepared. She was 10-11 and clear bright and alive,
her legs just wouldn't work. I just wondered if their were alternatives.
My lab right now just has back leg "issues" Slow to get up, other dogs easily knock her down running by her, slow to get up, etc. She gets an asprin with every meal. She's 12-13.

Thanks to all that replied.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

degenerative myelopathy.... at least that's CLOSER to the correct spelling!   DM for short.... 

[Gumby]

My dog is a black lab, but this might be informative to those with yellow abs/retrievers. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/05/06/study-aims-to-uncover-why-cancer-plagues-golden-retrievers/?intcmp=obmod_ffo&intcmp=obnetwork

I hope it helps someone. My dogs mean more to me than anything in the world. Hope I can help someone else out.

16 or 17 years in 1970's to 9 or 10 years now. That's significant.

[djais1801]

I have a 5yr old Boxer...who was our first child...He has bad allergies, on meds everyday.  I have spoiled him, he is a 80lb lap dog, who loves our kids, never barks unless someone rings the door bell.  he has a bed next to ours, and must have the covers over his head at night (spoiled).  He is my sidekick...in fact on roadtrips he sits up front...wife in back w/ the kids lol!

[js29no]

a new york state trooper who was a dog handler helped me with the same situation i had a german sheppard she was 16 the smartest dog i have ever seen, she could bearle get up anymore . i was haveing a rough time with it and he said to me are you doing for the dog or for you.it was not easy but i knew she was suffering and his words helped, old sue is baried in the front corner of my shop ware we spent most of our time together. i hope this helps