Dog advice

[born2trot]

I agree with deerman , QUALITY of life in our faithfull friends is the single most important virtue we can bestow on them. Keeping things alive at all costs is a human trait , and simply has no place in the animal world. The fact that he has reached a good age for a pointer despite all his problems speaks volumes in how youve cared for him over the years . ..

[Lyn Ed]

the whining and especially the chewing sound like frustration, normally found in younger dogs that dont get enough exercise and socialising, i used to have a young spaniel bitch who i used to take out before and after work but she got so bored in the day that she would chew stuff, anyway she never shaped up much as a gundog so i passed her on to a mate of mine whos wife could take her out in the day as well and the chewing stopped, but with the age of your dog steve its funny the vet couldnt diagnose something

[Paul Smith]

the whining and especially the chewing sound like frustration, normally found in younger dogs that dont get enough exercise and socialising, i used to have a young spaniel bitch who i used to take out before and after work but she got so bored in the day that she would chew stuff, anyway she never shaped up much as a gundog so i passed her on to a mate of mine whos wife could take her out in the day as well and the chewing stopped, but with the age of your dog steve its funny the vet couldnt diagnose something

 

That could Also be separation anxiety.

[jamez654]

Stephen,

 

This is always a difficult decision to make and I always tell owners that whilst I can advise them it is a decision that only they can make. You know your dog and you are best placed to assess his quality of life.

 

What you describe sounds like what we call senile behavioural changes although people think of it as "doggy dementia" for want of a better phrase. There aren't really any good treatments although nutritional supplements or medication seem to help in some (usually mild) cases.

 

I think you have probably already made the very difficult but right decision.

 

James

[Stephen Blair]

I have no issue in my head of putting him to sleep if he isn't well but it's getting the diagnosis.

All good advice, thanks.

[Stephen Blair]

He always wants to jump up, this is a thing he never did. He would just ignore people , he has been like that since the day he could cock his leg, he turned anti social.

Now he hangs about the back door, rather than hunt about the garden.

[jamez654]

Stephen.

 

Do you think he can see OK? If his sight has deteriorated he could cope OK in the house if he is familiar with the layout but not want to go outside.

 

 

Just a thought.

 

 

James

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I have 3 dogs, 2 of which are getting on. They live outside in kennels.

The fox terrier is 12, has dimension but is happy and now wears a muzzle at night time as she barks a lot, the muzzle has really chilled her out tbh:001_smile:

 

My German pointer is 11, has had epilepsy since it was about 2, vet always said they couldn't do anything, pills are just a gesture.

He has always been super fit, but would take fits and after 10 minutes would be ok, he may take more in the kennel but we don't know, they are getting more and more and his behaviour is getting strange.

He whines a lot, always making beds in things around the garden, very clingy and just not right.

I have tried different stuff, feeding him more, making his bed better, but he always chews tip and chucks it out, moved him into the shed with a nice bed, whines and chews it up, brought him indoors, guess what, whines and chews up his bed.

I think maybe all the years of fits have caught up with him. I do not want him suffering, I don't want him having a poor quality of life , and I don't want a wierd dog, barking in my garden when I have kids.

Really stuck , Vet gave him a look over a few weeks back as he was in with a sore paw, and said they didn't know , he is also not keeping weight on:lol:

 

im sorry I missed this till now mate.

 

this ones a tough call, one I myself had to make as you know.

 

your dogs being wierd cos its feeling wierd and frightened, dogs dont show weakness, you cant if your a pack animal. you recognise the signs and know what to do.

 

thinking of you buddy, and saying no more.

[Stephen Blair]

His sight is fine, he is just VERY clingy, it makes sense with me being away for 5 days before he went to the kennels, they go there for a couple of times a year, but i always take them and bring them back, this time my parents did it.

[Stephen Blair]

Cheers Tony, tbh I am looking for all you guys, to say' the dogs had a good life,its time to do the deed ' it's what I would advise others, but when it's on my own head it's different.

I will monitor him this week, and call the vet for advice and make a decision.