New member today, need advise,please!
My Sheepie is Winston L. Mckenzi, I adopted him on December 24, 1993, the vet thought he was around 8 months to 18 months old at the time. In January, Winston lost control of his bowels, I felt so badly for him...this had never happen indoors...EVER. He had been on Deramaxx for a year. The vet has put him on Science Diet I/D food..which has been good. But, his stomach will not allow him to eat his favorite biscuits, or chips anymore. 
He has been off the Deramaxx since January. For a month now, Winston can no longer get himself up. When I take him for a walk, he can barely make it up the curb to the sidewalk. Winston is standing maybe 1 hour a day...total! Although, he loves to chase cars...but then the next day he is so stiff. HELP......I am almost in tears now! My vets answers are x-rays to determine cause...well I think old age is the cause. winston does not seem to be in pain...he cries when I leave the room, cause he can't get up to come with me. His spirits are great considering and he loves to eat. Yesterday I came home from work to a huge mess! He had diarrhea, and my poor baby could not get up to get away from it! What do I do??? Advise??? Help....Please! |
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| Hi,
Your post sounds soooo familiar to the situation I was in just a little while ago. Can I direct you to this post to read? http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=27 It goes on for 3 pages. You're not alone. Welcome to the forum, sorry it is under these circumstances. |
| Debra
Please accept my sympathy for you and Winston and my prayers to carry you both through this. Like many others, I went through a similar situation with our Collie some years ago. When we reached the point with him that the vet advised he was in great pain and would not recover as his kidneys were failing, my wife and I held him in our arms, crying as we let him pass over the rainbow bridge. Please accept the support of all of us. |
| Debra,
My sincere sympathies for what you're going through now and the days ahead. My Drez is 11-1/2 years old and has hip dysplasia. Had surgery on her left hip in November and it helped, but we will never have her right hip done. Her left hip couldn't support her right hip while it healed. This is the way she will stay for as long as she's still with us. We tried Deramaxx, but she couldn't tolerate it. She's now on Metacam, and it's working really well, all things considered. It's good to hear that Winston's spirits are still good and that he still has an appetite. If everything else about him is okay yet, you may want to consider getting a cart made for him. (Are his front legs okay yet, or it is all 4 legs that are affected?) There's a site called Eddie's Carts, or Eddie's Wheels (can't remember which) that I checked out and it looks really great. We're all here for you, whenever you need us. Chris |
| It's Eddie's wheels: http://www.eddieswheels.com/
I saw a feature on him and it's amazing how well big dogs do with his carts. He originally got in the business because his own dog, a Doberman I believe, was suffering and he wanted to find a solution. It might be worth a try. I'm so sorry to hear about poor Winston. Good luck. |
| I feel for you, like you can't believe. Tyler, my sweet old man is about to turn 12. His birthday is Apirl 30th. Tyler is having a great deal of trouble getting up and down these days too. I do a few things to help him:
1) I never raise my voice or get mad, his is so sensitive, I know he would be affected so we just keep it under our hat. 2) I make sure that the hair between is toes is clipped to give him the most traction. 3) I have rubber backed rugs and mats everywhere so if he falls he can find some traction to get up. 4)I too have found him in his own poop or pee more than once when I got home from work. These are just a few of the many things I have provided to him. I adopted him when he was 4 years of age, and he has been the best companion any one could ever want, so it is my duty to make him happy and comfortable while I can. Your message struck a cord inme, when you said he whines or cry's when you leave the room. Tyler does the same thing. I am so very tuned in to him, I know what each whine or cry means now. My vet tells me that he has me wrapped around his paw, but it's okay with me, I love him so much that I don't mind. Tyler has a similar problem, he doesn't know when he is pooping, we are fortunate that they are like little rocks, but still who wants that to deal with it. So we are about to try diapers for a toddler sized child, at least at night. He has control of his bladder most of the time, but due to a bladder surgery a couple of years ago, he sometimes "drips". I just want the diapers to take care of the nights when he sleeps. He has always slept with us, and now for me to say he can't would probably break his heart, he wouldn't understand, so we are going to try the toddler size diapers and see if it helps, just an idea. I don't know how big your fella is, mine is very tall, but very thin, a mere 70lbs. Best of luck and keep your chin up. If he is as sensitive as mine, he know how you are feeling and would rather you be happy. Be happy that he is still with you and doing as well as he is. |
| Hi Debra,
I can't help but feel and want to offer support for you. My beloved Shaggy passed away last year at age 15 and I miss her very much. There's a poem called "Should I Grow Old" that I once asked the members here to find for me, and Ron did post in on the Rainbow Bridge forum under in memory of Shaggy. Knowing when is enough, enough is one of the hardest things we have to go through as Winstons mom, and only you will know that. If we could choose we'd want them to live forever. It sounds like Winston is getting the best of care and your love. I wish you all the best and send hugs your way. Belly rubs for Winston. Marianne and the boys |
| I am so very sorry you are having to go through this very difficult time. All of us who love and adore our sheepies dread the time when we have to face your situation. Take comfort in the years of adoration and companionship you have had and know that we are all hurting for you. Tasker sends a great sloobery kiss to you both. |
| Hi Debra-
I'm sorry to hear about Winston. I know the awful feeling of not being able to fix it. Please know that everyone here has gone through or will go through the heartbreak you face and you are not alone. Prayers for you and Winston. Holly |
| Thank you, everyone for responding! I keep returning to this posting and reading it over and over and over again!
Winston is not telling me that it is his time to cross the bridge, as my tears flow, or is he? Winston and I have lived alone together for such a long time, we know each other so well. We all feel we have the best sheepie, sorry, My Winston is the best, and I just can't imagine my life without him!
Thank you all, again! |
| Debra,
I don't think it is his time. You will know when it is. I think the more you love them and the closer you are, will are actually will help in knowing when to assist him on his journey. From what you have written, he still seems to enjoy life and you. Don't fret and have the last of your time with him full of stress. If he is anything like my Tyler, he will feel your stress and get stressed too. So relax, enjoy every moment with him. Take pictures and just love on him as much as you can. Then your last memories will be better than if you stressed about loosing him. I had to come to that point. I was sure TJ had some serious thing and I was going to loose him sooner than later and I was getting all sappy and sad. I realized that I would rather just enjoy the time I have with him than fear loosing him. I know I will loose him, so now, I don't fear it, I just enjoy him till I have to say goodbye. I sure hope this helps. I'm in the same boat as you. Like I mentioned earler, he turns 12 this month and has slowed down so much. But we still have those great days, where he still thinks he is a pup and runs around, albeit, rather stiffly, but runs just the same. He lights up when he hears my voice and still loves to cuddle and get all sleepy and close to me. He isn't ready yet. I'm sure than Winston isn't either. Best of luck and know that you are not alone. |
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