http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/ en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:50:00 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/ http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/senior-labs/111369-what-normal-senior-large-breed.html Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:18:23 GMT OK, I don't know if I am being paranoid or if my dog is trying to tell me something. She's 10 years old and has been living w/ one kidney for over 9 years. The problem is that she's going downhill. Her arthritis is bad but the NSAIDS are terrible for her kidney. Plus, her digestive system seems to be failing with the increase in toxins and acidity.

Here's where it gets complicated. She still enjoys eating, going for walks, playing hide-n-seek, car rides, and she still has 100% control over her bowels.

The problems are: She groans a lot when she is laying down. When she is walking or upright, she acts fine. Plus, her stomach is full of gas (that does not release). Does anyone have an older lab that is on NSAIDs for arthritis? Do they still groan? Or, is she telling me how much pain she is in?

A little background: We've done Azodyl, Carprofen, Tramadol, Dasuquin, Fish Oil, Enalapril, Metacam, Pepcid, etc

Thanks ]]> Senior Labs Casper http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/senior-labs/111369-what-normal-senior-large-breed.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/senior-labs/111169-old-girl-can-teach-herself-new-tricks.html Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:14:49 GMT Emma is our yellow lab, getting on in years. She's 12 now. Pretty old for a gal who was given a life span of 6-8 years because of health issues. She doesn't get up as quickly as she used to, neither do I, and will often start off in a run for a stride or too and slows right down to a meandering stroll. Funny, just like me. The chick knows her limits. We both do. :)

Soooo back to the reason I started writing this. A few weeks ago I found a dead wet wee mouse in the house on one of her beds. I didn't give it much thought and assumed that one of the cats caught it and brought it in and Emma picked it up and brought it to bed to lick new life into it. A few days later then was another and then yet another.

Last week I was reading on the side deck when Emma hopped up and strolled by me, I thought she had an apple in her mouth. For some reason, only known to her, she likes to go into the orchard and bring those to the house. I didn't want it in the house so before opening the door for her I told her to drop it. Getting up to enforce the issue I realized that what was hanging out the corner of her mouth was furry and had tiny little feet.

Oh Joy. At 12 years of age Emma, has found a new career. Mouser Extraordinaire. This morning I let her and Ollie wonder as I did some pool chores and put out the garbage. Ollie came when he was called in for breakfast but Emma was still out there somewhere. I did at one point think that perhaps she's mousing again. A thought that made me chuckle.....as I'm still having a hard time with the concept, especially at her age.

After 10 minutes or so she did arrive back to the house. Meandering up the sidewalk at first at a trot and then a slow walk once I opened the door and starting talking to her. I did a quick check for a bulging mouth, all was good. No apples, no tiny feet or furry bits. I really should know better. Because she is smarter than the average bear and could probably give a dolphin or two a run for their money.

I headed for the kitchen, I took the direct route, Emma took the longer one through the living room. I grinned at her and asked her if she thought she was in trouble for being gone so long.
I got out her food and put it into her dish, all the while 2 pairs of doggy eyes are watching my every move. Ollie had already eaten, but a guy can hope.

Once the food had hit the dish, I looked at Em and said 'ok'. She made a bee line for the dish and just before her nose hit the food she deposited two field mice on the floor. A girl does have her priorities and the lure of the almighty kibble was much better than the furry mass she had cleverly hidden very well in her mouth. As gross as it sounds and as dead as they were, I'm kinda proud of the old girl.

The moral of the story is that no matter how old you get, always keep busy, find new hobbies and get plenty of exercise.

Cheers
Mary ]]> Senior Labs mdancey http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/senior-labs/111169-old-girl-can-teach-herself-new-tricks.html