Bad News
I spoke we Madeline and she says that she is to far gone and might be in pain. she can no longer get up by herself. I have pulled my back out trying. her hips seem to come out of her sockets' she walks very slow. I don't know what to do |
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Oh that's terrible news! 
How old is she? Is she on any pain medication now? |
| we do not know her age. vet thinks about 8-9, she was our last resue. she is now on asprin 4 x a day |
| I'm really sorry to hear the news on Cinde, have you tried stronger meds for her like Metacam to help there?
Is she on supplements like Glucosamine/chondroiton ? 8-9 is not too elderly and I hope you can find something to help her. I personally would be looking at swimming her , muscle therapy, bowen therapy, something along those lines with the pain meds to help strengthen her muscles in her rear to help with mobility. How is Cindes weight, being slightly overweight causes enormous problems there with getting up with a dicey backend, being on the leaner side helps a lot. Sometimes too, just getting some weight off them helps there for them. My last girl had total backend failure in the end, but she was 14 and was getting incontinent in both the bowel and pee department, any problems there with Cinde? We actually got her weight down at 12 and it gave her another 2 years there with meds and I use to take her for muscle therapy to keep the muscles working and not wasting away. It's a hard one when they do go in the back end but if no improvement and it is getting worse then the kindest thing to do is say goodbye to them.
I hope cinde has a little time yet and you can get her comfortable and able to get up on her own again. If not then you are doing her a blessing by letting her go. Hugs D, we will be thinking of you all. |
| Oh no I hate seeing dogs in so much pain. I hope they're able to find a way to get her to walk again. Will be thinking of Cinde and you!!! |
| Aspirin may not be enough. Has she been to the vet? We had been going through this with Lucy and tried several different meds, including anti-inflammatories and pain meds and, at the same time, started her on glucosamine chondriotin. The meds seemed to get her through the pain and when the meds were up, the glucosamine kicked in and the difference has been like night and day. Itwent from her screaming in the morning because she couldn't get up to going in and out the dog door 30 times a day on her own. Don't write Cinde off yet. Please check with your vet and see what he or she recommends.
If she's having problems getting up, get her a harness that you can use to help lift her backend so you don't hurt your back. We got one for Lucy but never had to use it but I know Val has used them with success. this is the one we have: Outward Hound Harness |
Yuck - I hope there is a happy alternative. . .  |
| Piroxicam and Tagamet. Ask the vet for the prescription for Piroxicam (full dosage is .3 mg/kg) , and the dosage for the Tagamet. |
| Hi,
I'm not sure if you happened to catch my post some months ago when Ole Blue was having difficulty getting up. He had been on glucosamine for years and everyone raved about Medicam. What a difference!!!! Within 3 days he was back to his former self...racing around and rough housing with Merlin. In the meantime I had ordered a harness which was awesome. If you remember Chummie (Val's girl) also had a harness for a while. I highly recommend the company which is called http://www.entirelypets.com. I was so impressed with their customer service that I sent them a letter and they even replied with a thank you. The harness was not at all expensive and made of soft material which wraps around the dog's body and attached with velcro. It comes with long straps and one easily can assist the dog to get up. However after 3 days on Medicam I didn't even have to use it. I am sending good thoughts to Cinde and hope something can be done. Hugs to you Marianne |
| The joints coming undone isn't good. But perhaps the braces suggested above could be used to keep them in place, the dog on Metacam or whatever for pain and inflammation and then physical therapy.
However, I just went thru this with Fox and decided he was too far along, we had been fighting his hips for sometime. He had given up too. At well over 100 lbs, he was too much for me to lift any longer plus he wouldn't stay up. I hope you find something to help her. If not, I'm sorry. |
| I'm so sorry so sorry to hear about your girl. I think you are talking about Madeline Erickson up in NY? She is great and will help you all she can.
While waiting on a sling or to make the decision, just fold up a long beach towel, and fold it in 3rds, you can place this around the abdomen/back end to help get the dog up and down and not throw your back out as bad... Thinking about you. Ali |
OES Mommy wrote: ......I don't know what to do
I'm so sorry you're facing this decision. We try to grab hold of whatever reasons we can come up with to prolong their lives, but when the time is right, you'll know it. When the reasoning no longer make sense, and she looks at you in a way she's never looked at you before, you'll understand what she's saying, and know it's time. God bless. mouthypf |
| I am so sorry, what a tough decision to make. 8 or 9 is so young to be faced with this. Much to short a time to have with your sheepie. |
| Poor Cinde!
I don't know if everyone remembers, but Cinde is a rescue who was found outside frozen to the ground. Deana has been amazing in getting her to love, to play, and to feel nurtured and safe. It was amazingly generous particularly since this has been a really hard year. I wonder if all the play with her new little sister is wearing her out? Everyone's suggestions are great but they all cost money. I wish there were an organization that provided help with extraordinary medical bills so people could keep the sheepies they love and still get them the care they need. Deana -- if you can manage it, it is worth getting Cinde to a vet to see if a stronger medication would help her. Also, since Chumley does not need her harness anymore, I would be happy to send it to you if you think it would help. It was a great help for Chumley when she was unable to get up on her own. In a pinch, towels work well too but can be hard to get under when you need them. Please let us know what you decide. |
| How sweet you are Val,
Cinde has been going to the vet every few months. She told us she is beyound meds. The asprin seems to help some. As for playing with Darcy she does not. Its like leave me alone, I hurt. But Flannigan has lost weight running around with Darcy. He is on thyroid meds. It is woking fine. Cinde just lays around untill Richard takes her out to walk. She will not go far. Then she just lays down. Yes it is Madeline Erickson. She sees the same thing. |
| I am surprised your vet thinks she is beyond meds because there is such a wonderful variety of pain killers that each seem to work a bit differently. I went through several before finding one that works for Chumley. But you know her best of anyone. I am glad for all the time Cinde has had with you and I am sad that you and she are faced with this decision. Maybe sweet Cinde has had enough. . . |
Valerie wrote: I am surprised your vet thinks she is beyond meds because there is such a wonderful variety of pain killers that each seem to work a bit differently. I went through several before finding one that works for Chumley. But you know her best of anyone. I am glad for all the time Cinde has had with you and I am sad that you and she are faced with this decision. Maybe sweet Cinde has had enough. . .
I agree. When I asked our vet about aspirin when Lucy first began having problems, she immediately suggested something stronger. I, too, tried several different combinations before we saw good results. |
| Deana, I'm so sorry to hear about Cinde's problems. Having a senior dog with the same problems, this really hits home.
I hope the vet reconsiders and gives you some sort of medication for Cinde. I'm convinced Drez would not be with us today if it wasn't for the meds and supplement she takes. But as Val said, only you will know when enough is enough. Please give that sweet Cinde girl a big hug!  |
| thanks all of you for the prayers and good wishes.
there are no meds to put her hips back in their sockets, we need to pick her up and reset her back legs. |
Yes, I realize there are no drugs to put her hips back in their sockets. Are they truly coming out of their socket, or as in hip dysplasia, is there no socket for the ball to sit in? The Metacam is an anti-inflammatory drug made to help with the pain. Nothing short of surgery will actually fix the hips, poor thing.  |
| Is she dysplastic? There are meds to better help target the pain. I know they won't cure her but they may help her be more comfortable. |
| Also swimming helps develop strength so the muscles hold the joint in place where the socket doesn't work. Cinde is still relatively young for a sheepie but I also know that not everyone has the time to spend doing rehab with their dogs. |
| Deana,
I am so very sorry to hear that Cinde is not feeling well. Big s to you, Richard and Cinde.
Maybe there is a med that will at least help ease her pain. |
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