Starting to show signs of his age :(
Submitted by raider on October 5, 2011 - 10:02pmWell, was dreading the days where i would be thinking this... but poor old Reuben is starting to show signs of his age. He is 12.5 years old, overall no health problems his entire life, but now he is starting to lose his balance, falls a bit, and not exactly sure the cause other than maybe just his age is wearing him down. He always had a bit of a limp or slow movement at times as he got older (past 10), and the Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM was really working for him, he gets up quicker and stretches, not as much limping.... however past week or so I think this is something else. Plus he has pee'd in house few times over the last week.... he has accidents once in awhile, like once every couple months maybe, and usually when my fault where leave it to long before I get him outside.... but peeing inside 2 times just the other day is very rare.... (last 2 days tho been fine)
Started to not want to walk much on his leash, I would have to give a little tug always as if to say c'mon old man lets go!!! But now he starts to tip over at times at the back end, kinda lose his balance, or likes to walk along the walls.... when he's on tile floor (our kitchen where he eats and the hallways leading to outside are tile) he kinda slips as well, like his back legs give out on him. When he's on carpet or grass he doesn't fall over, but may stumble a bit, actually kinda like a stumbling drunk, but some times are better than others... for example we just came back from outside he had a little pep to his walk, was ok.... but then he gets inside and when he gets up does a little stagger.... or slips on floor.... he does sometimes lose balance and plop onto the carpet then will just lay there as if to say ok im comfy just how I am, will nap now... lol.
Last week he spent 2 nights at a kennel as I was out of town, (he was not this bad yet, just started showing some imbalance but not like now where it's always) well day after I picked him up he kinda had runny nose, would snort through his nose, some creamy white mucus comes out.... so hoping this was kennel related and not something else. So ya great, last thing I need on top of all this... been to kennel many times never had a kennel cough or virus afterwards...
Well, yesterday I took him to the vet, my worrying is now becoming obsessive....and he looked him over and first thing he asked was how old is he again? vet said the losing his balance, stumbling could be few reasons, from a spine/back issue, old age, and I asked what about brain tumor he said that could be possible, we could do X-rays but he was like well at his age even if something does appear in a xray not really much can do about it..... He said can take some aspirin for 7 days, see if maybe it stops then was inflammation somewhere (however I dont think this is a easy fix like a joint causing this and 7 days of aspirin will cure it) but I'm gonna try... just right now he is on orbax for a week as regarding the nose the vet thinks for sure he has an infection from the kennel, even tho he has the bordatella vaccine, still lots of airborne viruses can get at them, vet said seen lots dogs this week come in with same problem. So only been 2 days on the Orbax and seems to be improving. I dont want to mix the two, so will wait til the Obax is done then give him aspirin.
As for the balance issue.... damn I'm constantly worrying/thinking about this.... never gone through this before... the thought of it being something severe like a brain tumor or something and having him put down is always back of someones mind but I dont think he's in pain, as hard as it is seeing him stumble etc, I dont think he is suffering, still his happy self, living normal just with a handicap I guess you could say..... I'm sure when it gets to the point where IF he starts falling all over all the time and can't really walk.... well, I think i will know when it's time...
Sorry for the long post and rambling... just this came on kinda somewhat suddenly and at 12 years old, first time the thought of his health becoming a big concern is really hard on me.... will stay positive and hope for the best....
forgot to add that Vet took
forgot to add that Vet took his temperature, was normal.... checked his ears, was fine, (no ear infection).... his stool is normal..... so like I said, pretty much normal besides the losing balance.
I hear you...
While not a bulldog, my Kano has been my heart for 11 1/2 years. All the time we spent together training, competing, hanging out... She loved to jump, run, and fetch. Now, she can be walking along and suddenly take a nose dive into the ground. She has really bad arthritis and her legs give out. Since the arthritis is worse on one side, that side is a bit weaker and she will also fall sideways. Trotting for a few feet leaves her short of breath most times. Plus, she developed a hard mass on her muzzle that is invading the oral cavity. Through it all, her personality remains sunny.
I try to adjust things for her. Since she can no longer run and jump, I will toss a soft plush ball a few inches in the air for her to "catch". She's so proud of herself! lol I also live in a house with tile throughout. I put down area rugs. Maybe a runner or some rubber-backed bath mats would help in the hall and/or kitchen? I also put her on arthroplex with her NuJoint (which she has been taking for years). The green lipped mussel in the arthroplex seems to have really helped her mobility.
In the meantime, I cherish every minute I have with my girl. I savor all the tummy rubs and smooches. I want to make her time left as joyful as she has made the time I have been blessed with her in my life.
It stinks that we have to face the deterioration of our beloved companions. I try to take a page out of Kano's book. Live the moment.
Olivia
Great advice, Olivia!
Live the moment. These four legged ones are excellent teachers if we just pay attention!
Monica, Maude and Gus
Also have a senior....
My Beulah is 13, has arthritis and slips on the bare floors, but I use the Show Foot spray on her pads--it helps a lot--gives her more sure footing.
i will post you some herbs that will help.....
mint tea is excellant for the digestion...and a touch of honey is good to boost immunity...all dogs make vit c unlike humans and vit c is a natural pain reliever......one 500 mg a day would be good for him....i would add one tums in the am...also a high omega fish oil...loike cod liver is great....
i will post monday some other herbs that will help with his age...monday
also i suggest no more kennels he is to old...and its to confusing and hard on his system.....find a in home baby sitter...and make sure he is happy with them....the reson he got sick at the kennel was most likely nerves and cunfusion lowered is immunity stsyem...in people age he is 80 ......and he likely had a extra hard time with the noise and the routine.....
update
Update on Reuben: first, judy, thanks for the response, good advice!! As for the kennel, yes I know it's tough but he has been a few times, usually at least once a year when we go away, and I'm sure I could find someone to look after him, but to me I feel much more at ease knowing he can't do any harm and he basically sleeps most the day anyways, heck at home he lays in his crate on his own most the time, he loves his crate!! the door is open all the time, i never have to close it and he loves going in there to sleep.... he sleeps in his crate almost every night with his head just resting outside over the edge, lol.... So wether it's here or at kennel I figure whats the big difference? lol... I understand what you mean, the homesickness, unfamiliar surroundings and just me not being there may make him a bit stressed, but to me, If I were to leave him at a friends or whatever, I just hate to rely on someone to make sure he is let out 3 times a day, he is limited to how much he can walk so dont want him taken on walks etc.... I just feel better to go on vacation or away and know for sure I don't have to worry about him.
UPDATE on how he is doing..... the orbax is done, he still had a bit of runny nose but that has now cleared up completely.... and after he finished the orbax I put him on Aspirin for 7 days, today was the last day... and omg... he seems ALOT better... no longer wobbly or falling over while just eating... he is almost back to his old self, which is still stubborn, slow and at his own pace, lol..... but still.... he doesn't walk like he is "drunk" or not falling over while just walking out for a pee....
Now.. the question is... is it the aspirin that is making him like this as a short fix? Now that he is done the 7 days, will the falling, unbalance come back??? I sure hope not.... will keep you updated, but so far so good.... much improved than 2 weeks ago.