I've posted before about Teagan going in her crate (pooping), but she's now peeing in it as well, and she's done this before, when her hips were bad.

She doesn't pee in it ALL the time, but a lot.

She has hip dysplasia and arthritis in her back knees. She rolls a lot now on walks.

She is on glucosamine, chronotadin, MSM, salmon oil, vitamin e, and pain killers ('max' dose).

She seems happy though and full of go. Still wants to pull on walks.

Am doing alert bark training with her and she loves it, especially the car stuff. She did jumps last time we were up there and climbed the a-frame, and had a ball! (Short jumps, I should add).

Oh, and she went through a bad bout of constipation recently, as a result of a food switch (I'd had them on grain-free kibble for a bit and went back to raw). I know constipation is a sign of aging/hip stuff as well.

What is the pain killer?

How old is she?

7.5 years old, if the shelter was right about age. The pain killer is aspirin (affording the liquid stuff from the vet was difficult).

I'm not sure NOW is the time, but I'm seeing her slow down, and it's hard. I don't want her to be in pain.

I will take her in next week to make sure it's not a bladder infection, though my gut says no.

All JMO:

Well, you know that aspirin is an NSAID, right?

NSAIDs have potential very bad side effects. However, such NSAIDs as Deracoxib (Deramaxx) and Metacam can grant amazing relief when the other protocols no longer benefit the dog enough.

I have a senior on Deracoxib. He has two ruined spinal disks. The Deracoxib was started last year, and we did all the baseline testing, observing carefully for G.I. problems at the beginning, and doing regular liver/kidney bloodwork since.

This dog would have had to be PTS without the NSAID.

I would make a vet appointment and talk about NSAIDs. (The generics are not expensive, BTW.) Explore the options, such as Adequan. Be up-front about money.

Of course, this is only if it's pain that keeps her from getting up to go outside. If it's sphincter control or maybe beginning paralysis, that's completely different.

P.S. You could drop off a clean-catch urine spec (preferably first pee of the day).

We have an appointment for Wednesday. I've never been able to clean catch a urine speciman, I'll be honest. Completely not my field of expertise. So we will be getting it drawn, b/c I suck.

I will talk to the vet about it. I've discussed Adequan, or something similar before, and my vet (we are going to a different one) wasn't happy with the results they were seeing on it and didn't recommend it, though I know people here have seen great side effects.

Metacam - that is what she was on before and I found it to be quite expensive. I think the type of aspirin she's actually on is Entrophen, though I'm pulling that out of my head so I might be wrong.

Edit: And I worry too, with her aggression problems - am I looking at her treatments differently b/c she is so aggressive? I have my household split with the cats, I have to live in a house as large as I do, b/c of her. Things would be easier if we didn't have that. I do it because I love her though. I love her smile and I want her around, even if she is a massive pain in the butt, I love her b/c she is one. But I don't want her in pain.

Edit again: She nearly got my brother's cat (though she was muzzled) by knocking out a screen (he lives in the basement). I always promised myself if she attacked a second time, I'd euthanize her. This was a while ago, and b/c she didn't actually get his cat, I didn't euth her, but I worry now I'm informing this debate of her pain with my worry that I will never be able to change her, and will I always be able to contain her.

No, you don't want her in pain. I had made up my mind with my adopted guy that if I didn't see huge improvements with the NSAID that I would be strong and do the right thing -- the blessing we have in our power of a peaceful and painless end.

You know, Ed had said that he looks at three things. Can the dog do these three things in comfort: eat, sleep, and potty.

If not, then it's time to start thinking about quality of life.

I agree completely.




eta
Just based on those criteria, it might be time to examine the quality of life issue, and aggression doesn't even have to be considered. (However, there is certainly no shame in considering it when weighing which way to go.)



Edited by Connie Sutherland (12/04/2009 12:21 PM)
Edit reason: eta

I just keep looking at her smile, and saying to myself, she's happy, she can't be in pain, but I know dogs don't show pain the way we do.

Shoot, now I'm balling at work. I love her so much.

Just saw your edit - thanks Connie. I won't make the aggression issues the decider, obviously, but I can't help but be aware of them while I look at her pain, like you say. That makes me feel guilty though.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

I just keep looking at her smile, and saying to myself, she's happy, she can't be in pain, but I know dogs don't show pain the way we do.

Shoot, now I'm balling at work. I love her so much.

The most challenging dogs are often the ones we develop deep connections with, don't you think? It's hard, but it's a very honorable goal, to try weighing your choices without all of that emotion.

- sigh -

I know how hard it is.