I rescued an OES...new to me, so many questions!
Millie is 8yr. How long do they typically live? How do I get her white hair more white? She licks her paw and turns it pink. Any suggestions? Thanks from new OES mom!  |
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| I once met a 17 year old Sheepdog named Weezer.
There are no guarantees in life -human or canine- of course. OES are a big dog, and I think that big dog's life expectanies have gone way up lately, but I still think that the larger the Sheepie is the shorter will be their lifespan. I think that 11-13 years is not unrealistic. Many sheepies make it to 13, a few to 14, very few to 15. So here's my chart, at least the way I think today. 13 is elderly. 14 is very elderly. 15 is very old. 16 is very very old. 17 is unnaturally old. Again, just my very subjective opinion. Remember that old not-really-used-anymore-rule-of-thumb about 1 dog year is like 7 human years? Using-it-anyway-just-for-the-heck-of-it: 11=77, 12=84, 13=91, 14=98, 15=105, 16=112, 17=119 |
| Congratulations! How did you meet your sheepie? What is her story?
Re pink paws, When I adopted 8.5 year old Chumley, she too was a paw licker and had pink fur. I was told to apply a nasty tasty goo to the site (named Yuck!) but that didn't work. Instead, I started giving her big meaty bones from Petsmart and raw marrow bones from the butcher and since she had something delicious to gnaw, she stopped licking her own paws. The big bones last for weeks. Seemed like she was licking out of boredom, perhaps anxiety, and she needed to have something else to occupy herself. 5 months later, the pink is gone. Good luck and best wishes, Valerie |
| My dog, Norman, licks his paws for two reasons.
One, he has an allergy to beef so if he's gotten something with some beef in it, he gets itchy and licks his paws. Just like if you have an allergic reaction, your fingers or hands get swollen and itchy. Two, he loves to hold toys with his front paws so he can get a grip on them and his fur just gets in the way. Make sure there's no medical reason for the licking first and then watch for a nervous trait of licking and beyond that some dogs just happen to lick. |
Welcome to the forum 
I hope we get to see pics of Millie soon 
Where are you located? Did you get her from a shelter or a rescue organization? Did they give you any info as to her past? If licking her paws is an ongoing habit I doubt you'll break it, but as long as her skin isn't irritated and there are no fleas, or allergies causing it, I wouldn't worry too much about it. |
| Oh and Ron, thanks for the super depressing timetable! Poor Norman is 12 and 3/4 and doesn't plan on going anywhere just yet.
It also seems that the older he gets, the thinner his hair gets after an allergy attack and the more persistent those stains are. Here's a recent pic of his front legs, you can see the difference between this one and my avatar that was taken a few years ago. 
His hair is just about the same length in both shots but you can tell how much thinner it is. Since your dog is in early senior stages this may have something to do with the hair condition and how much recovery it can do. I also just reread an article on this and there was an interesting section here you go: In older pets, or obese pets, and splay-footed pets, arthritis of the bones of the toes can cause this condition. These pets often respond to aspirin or one of the newer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Rimadyl (carprofen) or Etogesic (etodolac). An x-ray and physical exam can confirm this condition. And here's a link to the complete article: http://www2.abc27.com/pets/getarticle.h ... ets&id=439 |
| Welcome to the forum! Please tell us more about Millie (such a cute name). Where do you live? Pink paws could also be a result of salt used to melt ice. Looking forward to hearing more and seeing pictures of Milie! |
| Congratulations on adopting an Old Baby!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to Forum........Kaye Second Chance OES Rescue |
| I would have to agree with the 11-13 as a pretty good 'old age' for a sheepie. Although, my parents' dog was at the vet last week and she is 8 and a few months, and the vet kept telling my parents that Maggie was an old dog! |
| Hi!
Welcome to you and Millie! My Shaggy lived to the ancient age of 15 and 1/2 (although she was a medium sized dog and not on the larger scale.) Shaggy also had some areas that were "pink" this was after I had her shaved so the vet could get a good look at all her bumps, lumps and warts on her body. Yes, warts..as I was told by him, that aged dogs do get them but most of the time they are covered up by their hair. However, she didn't get these until she was about 13. Anyhow, without the cushion of her hair this one wart on her elbow would probably irritate her when she laid on the floor and she constantly licked that area causing the hair to turn pink. I was told by him this was due to the salvia discoloring her hair if I remember correctly. Most of the posters mentioned some kind of irritation that will cause the dog to lick that area and in most cases the area they lick will turn pink. An overall check up should put your mind at ease and congratulations on your new girl. Don't hesitate to ask any questions or advice as we're all here to help. Best wishes to you and Millie Marianne and the boys I should also mention one of my "boys" is a 15 old Blue Heeler/Lab (medium size dog) He is like the energizer bunny and just keeps on going and going. |
laurao wrote: I have already learned some things by reading this site.
Millie is 8yr. How long do they typically live? How do I get her white hair more white? She licks her paw and turns it pink. Any suggestions? Thanks from new OES mom! My first OESD lived to be 15+ My second OESD died at & from a vaccine reaction The current OESD is 6 Some are exactly the same and some are completely different but they are great dogs and I will rescue several more throughout the course of my life. |
My first OES Flash was 14.5 when we helped him over the bridge. At that age they have many problems to deal with, from cataracts to poor teeth  |
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