Advice on aging OES
Last week I even called the vet to give her an update on his overall health and well-being and to discuss how long we had left with him. He spends about 22-23 cumulative hours asleep these days, has bowel movements in his sleep (mostly never knows). He can't hear very well anymore and can't walk on tile/hardwood floors. On the plus side, he's still very happy, enjoys his family, wants to play (relatively speaking) once he does get up, is still continent and hasn't lost his appetite. The vet helped me by letting me know the signs to look for to know when it's time to let him go. I took Winston to the groomer to be shaved down on Tuesday. Not only is it too hot for him already, and I want him to be as comfortable as possible, but he won't let me keep up with his brushing/washing anymore. He's growled at me to tell me not to touch him but that's it. He's been going to the same groomer for 10 years. The last time he was groomed there (a couple months ago), Greg, the groomer, talked about how much Winston had aged and he was getting arthritic and grumpy. This time I warned him that things had really changed since then and he was totally against being groomed at all and he growled at me if he even sees a brush in my hands. Well on Tuesday Winston bit Greg on the arm. When I picked Winston up, Greg didn't say anything until I asked if Winston did alright. Greg said "Oh he was fine, grumpier than normal, got me on my arm." and pointed to a bandaid. I was shocked - I said "He bit you?!" and he said "Well that happens, he's old and arthritic and we just have to go real slow on these old guys." I apologized again and said I was just stunned since he has never bit anybody but that must be one of the signs I have to consider now. Greg agreed and said Winston's earned the right to be grumpy. Today Greg called me to get shot information because his arm is "terribly infected". Of course Winston is up to date on his shots so it's not anything like rabies but sounds like a serious bacterial infection. I gave him the vet info, confirmed he was up to date and expressed how sorry I am that happened again - he seemed to shrug it off but not as much as Tuesday (understandably!). Greg is going to the Dr. for antibiotics but now I'm really worried about everything. Greg's arm, Winston's temperament, our liability if any. The logical part of me says that dog bites are part of the job when you're a groomer, the scared part of me thinks owners are always responsible if their dog bites. As an aside - Winston is markedly improved this week and yesterday was even playing with a neighbor's puppy, completely happy and smiling the whole while. So am I missing anything? Is my brain too clouded to think straight? Should I be doing anything else? |
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For what it's worth I invested in my first clippers when my first OES started aging. The groomer warned me that it was getting harder on her to be on the table for extended periods of time and so on. I thought about it, bought a clipper, kept her short for the rest of her life (buzzed her frequently) and just buzzed her in short streches at a time as she snoozed on the floor. It some times took me a week to reach all parts  but that's what worked for us.
Kristine |
| I tried to clip him myself, with him lying on the ground. He will have none of it and I don't want to be associated with anything negative at the end of his life. Greg has him lie on the table and does one side, then flips him over for the other side. Winston can't stand up for any length of time. He clipped him down to 1". |
| Poor old Grumpy. Yes, start clipping yourself. Figure you'll probably have to do this over several days, scissor feet and legs. You may need to muzzle for your own protection. My Glacier is the same way, no brush, comb or clippers. But she does lose the clippers controvery. Unfortunately it takes several days of about 10 minutes at a time to get her done. Even then we never have a beautiful dog.
You'll probably have to use the treat routine. A few swipes with the clipper and a treat if he behaves. When he has his hissy, don't give in, let him express himself and try again. Is he on pain meds? Maybe they need to be upped.......if only temporary to get the clipping done. susan |
| your boys sound to a tee like my miss daytona who is now 14 she has her good days and bad ones. i decided to stop taking her to the groomer about year ago, yes i clip her myself even though it might take a few days to do her.. at this stage it is alot for them to get a bath and then on a table to dry then clip them so 5 hours at a groomer make even the sweetest dog grumpy. i wash her one day then clip her the next . good luck |
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