@SeaMaiden wrote:
@scoop wrote:
Our dog Jake is about 12 years old (we think). We adopted him in 2012 and he came from a good home but we don't know much about his health history. He goes for his 6 month senior wellness check ups at the vet and we were told he does have some back issues which impact his hind legs. His hind legs seem to be collapsing more and more when he walks and he's constantly stumbling. He also seems to have some sort of dementia because he stares into space. Three times already at night, he has pooped on his bed. This morning after I took him out, he came in, laid on his bed, and his tail went up in the air, which was odd, and he got up and there was poop. He seems to be losing control of his bodily functions. We're taking him to the vet tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this with their senior pets. I don't have a good gut feeling about this.
@scoop just like people and wearing depends diapers...... old dogs lose function too. I had a 14 year old irish setter who had bad hips and lost control of his bowels.... So I bought adult diapers and cut a hole in them for his tail... then at night he did not mess the bed. I also used a towel to help him outside to lift his back legs some so he could walk around the yard. You do what you can just like you would for your Mother or Father or loved one.
THEY will let you know when it is time to take OTHER MEASURES.. they will stop eating... etc. You will just know...
. but just because they are older and having older issues is not reason to put them down to CONVIENCE YOU.
@SeaMaiden I so agree. We’re making many adjustments for 14 1/2 yr. old Sadie. Her back legs are weak and she has arthritis, as well as the beginnings of dementia. She has a new stroller for family walks. She’s still eating and going potty outside w/ very few accidents inside...those very near her doggie door. We put down puppy pads in that area to make clean up easier...she’s obviously still making the effort the go out. We built a ramp over the stairs from that doggie door to help her. Our vet’s assessment at her senior visits? Her quality of life is still good and she has pain meds to manage the arthritis. He feels when a pet loses control of bladder and bowel, seems to be in pain, does not eat...that’s the time to take action. Until then, she’s gaven me unconditional love since she was a puppy and I’ll do the same for her.
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