|
|
Post by admin on Apr 17, 2021 17:32:04 GMT
Sorry to read your sad news. The hardest thing owning a pet is having to nurse them then finally lose them. It’s so heartbreaking it puts you off going through it all again. I had a rescue cat that was more like a dog, follow me everywhere and want to always be with me. Would run to the door when she heard my car. After a few years she was diagnosed with cancer. The vet said she would give her a steroid injection, put her on pills and a certain diet and she would be good for a couple of years. She died in my arms that same day. Absolutely heartbreaking. It’s taken a long to get the dog. He’s a Boston Terrier (in my opinion the best kept secret in the dog World). They are the most human dog you could ever have. An amazing companion. Unfortunately the thought of being without them, being sick or robbed is always a worry. Yet we still put ourselves through it. Had a meeting with the vet yesterday. They still haven't got a handle on the lad's problem or how to fix it, if that's possible. I could have put him down yesterday but I'm not happy that we've exhausted everything so we go again next week to see if that takes us anywhere, even though it could cost much more than I was initially prepared to pay and also multiple times the original cost of the dog a decade ago. The vet was only acting on my wishes so fair play for that. If I need to let him go then I'll only be happy when I've tried my best and have a good reason for doing so. |
|
|
|
Post by Hodgy on Apr 17, 2021 18:46:43 GMT
Sorry to read your sad news. The hardest thing owning a pet is having to nurse them then finally lose them. It’s so heartbreaking it puts you off going through it all again. I had a rescue cat that was more like a dog, follow me everywhere and want to always be with me. Would run to the door when she heard my car. After a few years she was diagnosed with cancer. The vet said she would give her a steroid injection, put her on pills and a certain diet and she would be good for a couple of years. She died in my arms that same day. Absolutely heartbreaking. It’s taken a long to get the dog. He’s a Boston Terrier (in my opinion the best kept secret in the dog World). They are the most human dog you could ever have. An amazing companion. Unfortunately the thought of being without them, being sick or robbed is always a worry. Yet we still put ourselves through it. Had a meeting with the vet yesterday. They still haven't got a handle on the lad's problem or how to fix it, if that's possible. I could have put him down yesterday but I'm not happy that we've exhausted everything so we go again next week to see if that takes us anywhere, even though it could cost much more than I was initially prepared to pay and also multiple times the original cost of the dog a decade ago. The vet was only acting on my wishes so fair play for that. If I need to let him go then I'll only be happy when I've tried my best and have a good reason for doing so. If you haven’t got pet insurance I always felt like vets put a gun to your head. We are all aware it doesn’t take long to run into the thousands. Often give you the choice of possible treatment(s), at considerable cost, or decide to put your pet to  . Which makes you go down the emotional / guilt driven rollercoaster. Usually ends up where you are, couldn’t do it, let’s try every option. I know I could not put my boy to without exhausting every option. Which could come with very expensive consequences - I would hope all are covered by insurance. It does make the decision a little easier - as harsh that may sound. Your final conclusion sums up what I’m trying to say. Happy to talk or even meet for a dual dog walk if you need to share your thoughts. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 18, 2021 9:08:35 GMT
A Dog's plea
|
|
|
|
Post by chrise on Apr 18, 2021 16:29:21 GMT
Riggers,
I know what you are going through. It is not easy to make the right decision. Dogs have been in my life since my childhood. I lost my last dog about 4 years ago. She was a rescue Patterdale terrier aged 2 years when I adopted her. She was the sweetest and most loving dog I have ever owned. She was 14 when she was diagnosed with doggy dementia (that was a new one on me). It was very upsetting decision to make, the vet said they could medicate to give a few more weeks of life. The poor old girl was not herself and was not happy so with a heavy heart I decided to have her put down. She died in my arms with the lady vet, receptionist and myself all in tears. I am now at an age that another dog would probably outlive me and I cannot come to terms with that thought, as I live on my own. The thing I miss without a dog is the walks. You just feel a bit of a pratt walking out on your own.
Thinking of you and hope you make the right decision for you and your dog.
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 18, 2021 17:33:08 GMT
Riggers, I know what you are going through. It is not easy to make the right decision. Dogs have been in my life since my childhood. I lost my last dog about 4 years ago. She was a rescue Patterdale terrier aged 2 years when I adopted her. She was the sweetest and most loving dog I have ever owned. She was 14 when she was diagnosed with doggy dementia (that was a new one on me). It was very upsetting decision to make, the vet said they could medicate to give a few more weeks of life. The poor old girl was not herself and was not happy so with a heavy heart I decided to have her put down. She died in my arms with the lady vet, receptionist and myself all in tears. I am now at an age that another dog would probably outlive me and I cannot come to terms with that thought, as I live on my own. The thing I miss without a dog is the walks. You just feel a bit of a pratt walking out on your own. Thinking of you and hope you make the right decision for you and your dog. So do I. It's going to be a potential tough few days but time will tell. I know what you mean about getting another dog. I have similar concerns about what if in future but there is a safety net you can use and you should really think more about the now than an end point that may never happen as your fear: Canine Care Card (there's a similar one for cats I've seen advertised on TV recently): How our Canine Care Card service worksIf you pass away, become seriously ill or move into a care home, you or your Dog Guardian will be able to contact Dogs Trust and arrange for your dog to come into one of our local rehoming centres. Our team of experts will use all the information you give us to get to know your dog, and make sure they stay happy and healthy. We’ll do all we can to find a responsible, caring new owner for your dog, who can give them all the love and care that you currently do. In the unlikely event that we cannot find your dog a home, we’ll look after them for the rest of their life because we never put down a healthy dog. We treat every one of our canine residents like a beloved family pet and ensure they get all the loving care they need in our state-of-the-art facilities.
If the worse comes to the worse then you can give up your dog, although after reading the procedure then I'm not convinced that it's that straightforward or will give the required outcome. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 23, 2021 8:47:49 GMT
If you haven’t got pet insurance I always felt like vets put a gun to your head. We are all aware it doesn’t take long to run into the thousands. Often give you the choice of possible treatment(s), at considerable cost, or decide to put your pet to . Which makes you go down the emotional / guilt driven rollercoaster. Usually ends up where you are, couldn’t do it, let’s try every option. I know I could not put my boy to without exhausting every option. Which could come with very expensive consequences - I would hope all are covered by insurance. It does make the decision a little easier - as harsh that may sound. Insurance is a money making scam for the majority of the time and I always think that it inflates prices because suppliers/providers can charge as much as they can get away with, insurances will pay it and if they are not making enough then they'll just pass it on with inflated premiums that they hope enough people will pay, and they do/have to at the end of the day. Apart from the cost at the vets (although to be fair to mine, a couple of hundred pound for 3 full days of tests, along with some other appointments, was well acceptable compared to what some of the flashier vets would have extracted from my bank balance), the thing that grates with me a bit is that the vets give options but never costings of treatment (not asking for specifics, just a reasonable rough estimate) which is probably more important for most. Probably don't give any costings because it'll scare many people off there and then. At the moment my dog is eating himself up (ie burning body fat and losing weight) because he can't turn his food into glucose in the blood and just wees it out, I think? He really needs insulin (once again, no idea given of the cost of that option) but the presentation of the specifics of the process scared me off the other day although now it's sunk in (and I'm a bit clearer on it) I'm a bit more willing to try at least. The easy option at the moment, which I don't think will be enough on it's own, is to try some food specifically for diabetic dogs. Once again, no mention of the cost. Just that we'll order some. I know when I collect it, if online prices are anything to go by, it's going to be 5, 6 times or more expensive than what I normally pay. I know that you can ask for all of the info that you want, and if assertive enough then probably do, but it'd be nice if it was just part of the conversation. I took a urine sample to test this morning and his ketones (Ketones are acids that are a byproduct of fat break down. When enough of them built up in the blood, it becomes poisonous to the animal. This type of fat break down usually occurs when the animal can't use glucose as a form of energy due to a lack of insulin) are quite high so time is of the essence I think. It's a quick learning curve. Fortunately I've a spare 0% interest on purchases credit card so that has become the dog's card while he's still here. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 23, 2021 9:12:05 GMT
Slightly different but just lost my cat in Feb who was six weeks off 18 years old. He had been diagnosed as Diabetic aged 13 while being treated for an eye problem. I managed his Diabetes to give him (and me) an extra four and half years together. He was on two a day injections which can seem quite daunting I know - I am a type 2 on one a day myself and my other half a Type 1 who injects 5 times a day so needles and injections were the norm for us and Alfie was so good and never bothered by it. Managing Alfie’s blood sugar levels was actually much easier than ours to be fair - he wasn’t tempted by the contents of the kitchen cupboards and the fridge like we are!!!! Plus he ate the same food every day at the same times - unless we were out and late feeding him but even then there is flexibility with that. If I can be of any help please PM me if it’s only to say take it a day at a time, then a week, then a month and just see how it goes - hopefully you will be surprised that this diagnosis is not as bad as first feared. Sounds like you should do the vets presentation. A bit more relaxed and less rigid is the bit that I was missing. Yes it's serious and needs to be done properly but I didn't get the flexibilty vibe and couldn't process quickly what I was being told. I went in quite cold and if they'd have given an information sheet beforehand (just a sheet of A4) with the basics and outline of the procedure then I might have gone in in a better frame of mind and not wasted two people's time. Nothing against the staff who were only doing their best. It's the process that needs refinement. As you mentioned eyes, I've been concerned about my dogs red eyes for 6 months or so but the vet has never been that interested after a bottle of drops cleared the worst of the problem. They do seem a bit worse at the moment, sensitive to light and a bit messy with gunge. I think that it shows that this has been coming for a while. When the dog has an annual booster and they say to say if you have any concerns, why don't they say to bring some wee for a 30 second test? Last November that may have picked up the start of this. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 23, 2021 16:13:54 GMT
The easy option at the moment, which I don't think will be enough on it's own, is to try some food specifically for diabetic dogs. Once again, no mention of the cost. Just that we'll order some. I know when I collect it, if online prices are anything to go by, it's going to be 5, 6 times or more expensive than what I normally pay. Wow  £15 for a bag of food that will last 5 days (ie next Wednesday) if the feeding guideline are followed. Jeez, that's outrageous and unsustainable! Fortunately can see it online in larger bags. Still bloody expensive but manageable. |
|
|
|
Post by Hodgy on Apr 24, 2021 8:46:26 GMT
The easy option at the moment, which I don't think will be enough on it's own, is to try some food specifically for diabetic dogs. Once again, no mention of the cost. Just that we'll order some. I know when I collect it, if online prices are anything to go by, it's going to be 5, 6 times or more expensive than what I normally pay. Wow £15 for a bag of food that will last 5 days (ie next Wednesday) if the feeding guideline are followed. Jeez, that's outrageous and unsustainable! Fortunately can see it online in larger bags. Still bloody expensive but manageable. Flipping hell! Typical with sick animals - they have all the cards and charge a fortune for everything, because they can. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 24, 2021 15:08:53 GMT
Wow £15 for a bag of food that will last 5 days (ie next Wednesday) if the feeding guideline are followed. Jeez, that's outrageous and unsustainable! Fortunately can see it online in larger bags. Still bloody expensive but manageable. Flipping hell! Typical with sick animals - they have all the cards and charge a fortune for everything, because they can. True I have a good vet that does the job without looking like something out of NASA when you walk in, and the basic examination/treatment fees are always reasonable. If specialist treatment is needed then you just have to go with whatever your finances allow. Problem is when you need anything additional (drugs, food, accessories etc). The mark up compared to online is horrendous. It's reasonable to expect a bit of a mark up but jeez. I suspect that it's the supplier causing the problem (like going to a main dealer for your car parts rather than Millfield Autos, e-bay or Amazon). For example, I was given a box of urine testing strips at £13 - they are £5.45 online. The dog food of the weight given is cheaper online but that difference is almost wiped out with postage costs. However, buy the next size up (7kg £35) then you get free postage and I guess that for the same food it'd be somewhere between £45 & £49 at the vets. I've got some wet food on order but it wasn't in so it'll be interesting to compare. I'll take the mark up once but you don't get my custom again. I'm used to buying 12 tins of Pedigree from Sainsburys for £7 ish. The food I need at the moment (until I can see if alternatives will do) is an eye watering £29 for 12 tins online (free postage). I bet that'll be at least £35 in the vets. So for anyone contemplating a pet: yes they are great but if they go wrong then be aware that you'll need a bloody huge piggy bank that's full to bursting. |
|
|
|
Post by Hodgy on Apr 24, 2021 20:08:21 GMT
Flipping hell! Typical with sick animals - they have all the cards and charge a fortune for everything, because they can. True I have a good vet that does the job without looking like something out of NASA when you walk in, and the basic examination/treatment fees are always reasonable. If specialist treatment is needed then you just have to go with whatever your finances allow. Problem is when you need anything additional (drugs, food, accessories etc). The mark up compared to online is horrendous. It's reasonable to expect a bit of a mark up but jeez. I suspect that it's the supplier causing the problem (like going to a main dealer for your car parts rather than Millfield Autos, e-bay or Amazon). For example, I was given a box of urine testing strips at £13 - they are £5.45 online. The dog food of the weight given is cheaper online but that difference is almost wiped out with postage costs. However, buy the next size up (7kg £35) then you get free postage and I guess that for the same food it'd be somewhere between £45 & £49 at the vets. I've got some wet food on order but it wasn't in so it'll be interesting to compare. I'll take the mark up once but you don't get my custom again. I'm used to buying 12 tins of Pedigree from Sainsburys for £7 ish. The food I need at the moment (until I can see if alternatives will do) is an eye watering £29 for 12 tins online (free postage). I bet that'll be at least £35 in the vets. So for anyone contemplating a pet: yes they are great but if they go wrong then be aware that you'll need a bloody huge piggy bank that's full to bursting. Everything with pets and vets is ridiculously expensive. I have my boy on a pet plan - I’ve decided I will very soon cancel as it’s a typical profile vets that only really care about your money. For the last year I have, just picked up the ‘weed and feed’ treatment that I have to apply myself. They are also supposed to give him the once over but the last year COVID ruled that out but still happy to take my DD. Last year he was scratching his hear so while picking up his flea, worm treatment asked the vet to shine a light in the ear. Result = it’s possibly an ear invention, we will give you some drops. £20 for a big box, containing a drop solution a third of the size. That I very much doubt made any difference. I’ve read too much negativity regarding supermarket dog food. Certainly won’t give him that tinned wet food. His vets always try and sell you Royal Canin, no goodness in it at all, again all about money. The spoilt boy has cooked chicken and Cannigan biscuits - but will only ever eat when he is ready. Often not interested until afternoon. Admittedly that’s often after he’s robbed half of my cheese & onion pastry. Regarding your piggy bank, that’s why I mentioned insurance. It really doesn’t take long to run up a vet bill of 5-10k if you have unfortunate sickness. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 8:19:29 GMT
Wow £15 for a bag of food that will last 5 days (ie next Wednesday) if the feeding guideline are followed. Jeez, that's outrageous and unsustainable! Fortunately can see it online in larger bags. Still bloody expensive but manageable. Flipping hell! Typical with sick animals - they have all the cards and charge a fortune for everything, because they can. They are robbing ****s had a retired greyhound in 3 hours it deteriorated rapidly hours couldn’t move 1 of his legs had a top greyhound trainer come to my house in next hour to look at him and he went over him like a fine tooth comb and found a growth he was 99% it would be cancerous and showed the wife where it was. Rang vets immediately and told him that we wanted poor dog put down . We had to agree a £150 consultation fee before they’d see him . Useless ####s couldn’t find a growth and said that they’d have to X-ray hip think they wanted £150 beecause they thought it was dislocated the mrs then pointed out where the growth was and vet took dogs temperature and pointed out that we wouldn’t be able to take dog home with us and would have to pay to keep him in I pointed out to him that a top greyhound trainer who knew more about greyhounds than he’d ever know had told me under any circumstances don’t let the vet try and con u into having tests and stuff and that u have came to put dog to vet said ok think it was £365 for 10mins robbers lot of them |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 25, 2021 9:04:37 GMT
Flipping hell! Typical with sick animals - they have all the cards and charge a fortune for everything, because they can. They are robbing ****s had a retired greyhound in 3 hours it deteriorated rapidly hours couldn’t move 1 of his legs had a top greyhound trainer come to my house in next hour to look at him and he went over him like a fine tooth comb and found a growth he was 99% it would be cancerous and showed the wife where it was. Rang vets immediately and told him that we wanted poor dog put down We had to agree a £150 consultation fee before they’d see him. Useless ####s couldn’t find a growth and said that they’d have to X-ray hip think they wanted £150 because they thought it was dislocated the Mrs then pointed out where the growth was and vet took dogs temperature and pointed out that we wouldn’t be able to take dog home with us and would have to pay to keep him in I pointed out to him that a top greyhound trainer who knew more about greyhounds than he’d ever know had told me under any circumstances don’t let the vet try and con u into having tests and stuff and that u have came to put dog to vet said ok think it was £365 for 10mins robbers lot of them I wouldn't put my vets in the robbers category and I think most only think of the animal but their hands are tied by the business. I'd compare vets to American healthcare for humans. Ok if you have money and insurance but bugger you'll pay for it. You and I have different views on greyhound racing and I'm not sure that long term animal welfare is top of a greyhound trainers list of priorities (it may be. It's not fair to tar all with same brush) although their knowledge and business acumen will be sound. A while ago mine had an infected foot and I had to go to an emergency vet out of hours. It was shockingly expensive with the opening line being that there was an upfront cost (can't recall exact amount but over £100 springs to mind) that had to be paid before you could get in through the door. Then there was the examination and medication on top. Now that you mention additional work, I recall them saying that they'd take him in to the back room to trim the hairs around the pads because it was very hairy between them. When I was administering the ointment in the following days I didn't notice much trimming of hair. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2021 23:54:18 GMT
Slightly different but just lost my cat in Feb who was six weeks off 18 years old. He had been diagnosed as Diabetic aged 13 while being treated for an eye problem. I managed his Diabetes to give him (and me) an extra four and half years together. He was on two a day injections which can seem quite daunting I know - I am a type 2 on one a day myself and my other half a Type 1 who injects 5 times a day so needles and injections were the norm for us and Alfie was so good and never bothered by it. Managing Alfie’s blood sugar levels was actually much easier than ours to be fair - he wasn’t tempted by the contents of the kitchen cupboards and the fridge like we are!!!! Plus he ate the same food every day at the same times - unless we were out and late feeding him but even then there is flexibility with that. If I can be of any help please PM me if it’s only to say take it a day at a time, then a week, then a month and just see how it goes - hopefully you will be surprised that this diagnosis is not as bad as first feared. Sounds like you should do the vets presentation. A bit more relaxed and less rigid is the bit that I was missing. Yes it's serious and needs to be done properly but I didn't get the flexibilty vibe and couldn't process quickly what I was being told. I went in quite cold and if they'd have given an information sheet beforehand (just a sheet of A4) with the basics and outline of the procedure then I might have gone in in a better frame of mind and not wasted two people's time. Nothing against the staff who were only doing their best. It's the process that needs refinement. As you mentioned eyes, I've been concerned about my dogs red eyes for 6 months or so but the vet has never been that interested after a bottle of drops cleared the worst of the problem. They do seem a bit worse at the moment, sensitive to light and a bit messy with gunge. I think that it shows that this has been coming for a while. When the dog has an annual booster and they say to say if you have any concerns, why don't they say to bring some wee for a 30 second test? Last November that may have picked up the start of this. Sorry for delay in responding - have had a family bereavement - just caught up with reading this thread tonight. Alfie’s eye problem was caused by fighting with another cat who had trespassed on to HIS territory - resulting in an eye ulcer that just would not heal. He was treated for several weeks with various eye drops before being operated on to remove that eye. Diabetics are prone to more infections and the healing process can be protracted for wounds etc. It was during this event that his Diabetes was discovered. I never purchased special diabetic cat food but he was prescribed insulin by injection immediately although a low dose to start with - he was monitored and doses adjusted - and once stabilised checked every six months. His blood glucose levels were mostly well controlled - I was actually quite envious as mine were never as good. My husband a Type 1 diagnosed 20 years ago tried different diet, followed by various tablets and didn’t achieve satisfactory control until he went on insulin. He now wears an arm sensor for testing after many years of pricking fingers. I don’t home test and I didn’t do that for Alfie either but I have no knowledge of how Vets treat dogs - my experience is based on humans and cats . |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 28, 2021 11:46:01 GMT
Sounds like you should do the vets presentation. A bit more relaxed and less rigid is the bit that I was missing. Yes it's serious and needs to be done properly but I didn't get the flexibilty vibe and couldn't process quickly what I was being told. I went in quite cold and if they'd have given an information sheet beforehand (just a sheet of A4) with the basics and outline of the procedure then I might have gone in in a better frame of mind and not wasted two people's time. Nothing against the staff who were only doing their best. It's the process that needs refinement. As you mentioned eyes, I've been concerned about my dogs red eyes for 6 months or so but the vet has never been that interested after a bottle of drops cleared the worst of the problem. They do seem a bit worse at the moment, sensitive to light and a bit messy with gunge. I think that it shows that this has been coming for a while. When the dog has an annual booster and they say to say if you have any concerns, why don't they say to bring some wee for a 30 second test? Last November that may have picked up the start of this. Sorry for delay in responding - have had a family bereavement - just caught up with reading this thread tonight. Alfie’s eye problem was caused by fighting with another cat who had trespassed on to HIS territory - resulting in an eye ulcer that just would not heal. He was treated for several weeks with various eye drops before being operated on to remove that eye. Diabetics are prone to more infections and the healing process can be protracted for wounds etc. It was during this event that his Diabetes was discovered. I never purchased special diabetic cat food but he was prescribed insulin by injection immediately although a low dose to start with - he was monitored and doses adjusted - and once stabilised checked every six months. His blood glucose levels were mostly well controlled - I was actually quite envious as mine were never as good. My husband a Type 1 diagnosed 20 years ago tried different diet, followed by various tablets and didn’t achieve satisfactory control until he went on insulin. He now wears an arm sensor for testing after many years of pricking fingers. I don’t home test and I didn’t do that for Alfie either but I have no knowledge of how Vets treat dogs - my experience is based on humans and cats . Pretty sure that it's similar for animals and humans alike. For dogs though (assume that it'd be the same for cats) it doesn't look like diabetes can be controlled primarily by diet and only insulin injections will hopefully do the trick. I've been to the vets this morning and George is eating himself up internally, having lost a kg in weight in a week or so, so he had an insulin injection and, along with bloody expensive diabetic dog food (until I can find an alternative (I think Chappie is probably ok from what I read)), then that's the route I'm going to have to go down and see where it takes us. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 28, 2021 11:54:14 GMT
Riggers, I know what you are going through. It is not easy to make the right decision. Dogs have been in my life since my childhood. I lost my last dog about 4 years ago. She was a rescue Patterdale terrier aged 2 years when I adopted her. She was the sweetest and most loving dog I have ever owned. She was 14 when she was diagnosed with doggy dementia (that was a new one on me). It was very upsetting decision to make, the vet said they could medicate to give a few more weeks of life. The poor old girl was not herself and was not happy so with a heavy heart I decided to have her put down. She died in my arms with the lady vet, receptionist and myself all in tears. I am now at an age that another dog would probably outlive me and I cannot come to terms with that thought, as I live on my own. The thing I miss without a dog is the walks. You just feel a bit of a pratt walking out on your own. Thinking of you and hope you make the right decision for you and your dog. Don't know if you're retired (economically inactive as I prefer to label it  ) but this is information for any personal situation www.wearejust.co.uk/health-and-lifestyle/lifestyle/pets/What about if anything happens to me?Pets are often overlooked when someone becomes unexpectedly ill, injured or even dies. Sometimes they are discovered days later, so it’s important if you do have a pet, or decide to get one, that you make adequate provisions for them to be cared for. Find some friends or relatives who will agree to become temporary providers for your pet and provide them with keys, care instructions and suitable vet contact details. For a more permanent arrangement, you will need to make more formal arrangements for your pet to be cared for. This means making provisions in your will, or other documentation, to outline your wishes and make suitable financial provision for their long term care. |
|
|
|
Post by chrise on Apr 28, 2021 12:33:23 GMT
Riggers, I know what you are going through. It is not easy to make the right decision. Dogs have been in my life since my childhood. I lost my last dog about 4 years ago. She was a rescue Patterdale terrier aged 2 years when I adopted her. She was the sweetest and most loving dog I have ever owned. She was 14 when she was diagnosed with doggy dementia (that was a new one on me). It was very upsetting decision to make, the vet said they could medicate to give a few more weeks of life. The poor old girl was not herself and was not happy so with a heavy heart I decided to have her put down. She died in my arms with the lady vet, receptionist and myself all in tears. I am now at an age that another dog would probably outlive me and I cannot come to terms with that thought, as I live on my own. The thing I miss without a dog is the walks. You just feel a bit of a pratt walking out on your own. Thinking of you and hope you make the right decision for you and your dog. Don't know if you're retired (economically inactive as I prefer to label it ) but this is information for any personal situation www.wearejust.co.uk/health-and-lifestyle/lifestyle/pets/What about if anything happens to me?Pets are often overlooked when someone becomes unexpectedly ill, injured or even dies. Sometimes they are discovered days later, so it’s important if you do have a pet, or decide to get one, that you make adequate provisions for them to be cared for. Find some friends or relatives who will agree to become temporary providers for your pet and provide them with keys, care instructions and suitable vet contact details. For a more permanent arrangement, you will need to make more formal arrangements for your pet to be cared for. This means making provisions in your will, or other documentation, to outline your wishes and make suitable financial provision for their long term care. I guess I am labelled economically inactive due to the government extending the retirement age. So you can work out from that my age from that. 😀 Thanks for info. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on May 3, 2021 20:46:51 GMT
Sounds like you should do the vets presentation. A bit more relaxed and less rigid is the bit that I was missing. Yes it's serious and needs to be done properly but I didn't get the flexibilty vibe and couldn't process quickly what I was being told. I went in quite cold and if they'd have given an information sheet beforehand (just a sheet of A4) with the basics and outline of the procedure then I might have gone in in a better frame of mind and not wasted two people's time. Nothing against the staff who were only doing their best. It's the process that needs refinement. As you mentioned eyes, I've been concerned about my dogs red eyes for 6 months or so but the vet has never been that interested after a bottle of drops cleared the worst of the problem. They do seem a bit worse at the moment, sensitive to light and a bit messy with gunge. I think that it shows that this has been coming for a while. When the dog has an annual booster and they say to say if you have any concerns, why don't they say to bring some wee for a 30 second test? Last November that may have picked up the start of this. Sorry for delay in responding - have had a family bereavement - just caught up with reading this thread tonight. Alfie’s eye problem was caused by fighting with another cat who had trespassed on to HIS territory - resulting in an eye ulcer that just would not heal. He was treated for several weeks with various eye drops before being operated on to remove that eye. Diabetics are prone to more infections and the healing process can be protracted for wounds etc. It was during this event that his Diabetes was discovered. I never purchased special diabetic cat food but he was prescribed insulin by injection immediately although a low dose to start with - he was monitored and doses adjusted - and once stabilised checked every six months. His blood glucose levels were mostly well controlled - I was actually quite envious as mine were never as good. My husband a Type 1 diagnosed 20 years ago tried different diet, followed by various tablets and didn’t achieve satisfactory control until he went on insulin. He now wears an arm sensor for testing after many years of pricking fingers. I don’t home test and I didn’t do that for Alfie either but I have no knowledge of how Vets treat dogs - my experience is based on humans and cats . I've started injecting George twice daily. Not the most pleasant of tasks I must admit. They loaded the syringes at the vets because that's too fiddly for me. I think that a vet pen might be the way to go. Apart from the urine test I'm not prepared to do blood tests and/or glucose curves so it's still playing by ear at the moment. I didn't sign up for this and it's not my idea of pet ownership. Suddenly gone from one meal a day and a couple of short walks, as and when, to trying to space 2 meals to 12 hours apart, buggering about with needles & insulin whilst also following the dog round outside with a ladle to catch a sample. It's bloody hard work on your own, not much fun and tiring. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2021 12:29:42 GMT
Just wondering how things are going now you are a few weeks in with your dog’s treatment?
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on May 29, 2021 14:50:25 GMT
Just wondering how things are going now you are a few weeks in with your dog’s treatment? Generally ok thanks. Had a bit of a meltdown last weekend through tiredness and not being able to keep him still to give the injections. Consequently I was getting stressed and angry and you can't calm a pet down in that state. When you're trying to help someone or something and do your best is so bloody frustrating when the recipient does everything to make it difficult, but that's some pets for you. He's also got dry eyes. You'd think that eye drops were simple but I have to clamp him between my legs and pull his top eyelids back because he close his eyes shut, then instil the drops. Likewise with his injections I now leave his collar on so that I can hold him tightly against my leg and also get a good scruff of skin for the needle. Then just let him feel the needle without pressing. Next time do press gently to break the skin and inject. He also gets plenty of praise all through and treats at the end. Unless you've got a very docile pet then it's a question of sticking with it and finding a method, which I've done on both counts. He's on 8 units of insulin, 80g of dry and 72g of wet food twice a day with negative keytones and neg to trace glucose when I can get some urine to test him. So basically we're both doing well. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2021 21:24:40 GMT
That’s all sounding promising keep going. Remember the early days of injecting with my cat who seemed to know it was coming just because I looked in his direction - that would result in him running upstairs and me following as fast as I could - would always find him sitting in the middle of the bed when I would administer the dose. It became like a game to him as he never created a fuss once I caught up with him - eventually he got bored with it and allowed me to inject him while eating, sitting in his chair or wherever. Eye drops were difficult but I found popping a medical protective collar on him for few minutes made it a lot easier.
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Jun 1, 2021 9:39:07 GMT
That’s all sounding promising keep going. Remember the early days of injecting with my cat who seemed to know it was coming just because I looked in his direction - that would result in him running upstairs and me following as fast as I could - would always find him sitting in the middle of the bed when I would administer the dose. It became like a game to him as he never created a fuss once I caught up with him - eventually he got bored with it and allowed me to inject him while eating, sitting in his chair or wherever. Eye drops were difficult but I found popping a medical protective collar on him for few minutes made it a lot easier. Seem to have really got it sussed because he's more interested in the saved dry food that he's going to get before and after the injection. I have a little bit of a fight but when he realises that I'm stronger and after a little injection (which I don't think they know about as long as you do it right) he gets his treat, then he'll just lay still on my thigh. Problem is the little bugger will not wee to order (which is good because he's not drinking much or needing to rid his system of glucose so the insulin is working). I've been up since 6.45. I've let him out the back 3 times and followed him out each time with the ladle but he just will not wee and really does think that it's some bizarre strange game. So I let him out at about 11pm last night when one assumes that he had a wee but hasn't had a wee since. I can't say the same for myself  |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 2, 2021 9:50:33 GMT
Ricky Gervais@rickygervais 1/9/21
People who point out that they know of a more worthy cause than yours don't really give a toss about that one either. If you don't have empathy with animals, then you don't have empathy.
b0252
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 2, 2021 9:58:38 GMT
Animal adoptions UK @adoptionsuk 2/9/21
Dogs Trust predict 40,000 dogs will be abandoned in the UK this year.
Cats and dogs can be destroyed in a council pound after just 7 days if there is no rescue space.
Please don't buy a pet, don't breed your pet. We already have more pets than homes
|
|
|
|
Post by Hodgy on Sept 2, 2021 10:21:04 GMT
|
|
. Which makes you go down the emotional / guilt driven rollercoaster. Usually ends up where you are, couldn’t do it, let’s try every option.
) but this is information for any personal situation 