Tips for keeping an old man happy

pulliptears

Just come back from a rush to the vets with Bob. Had a horrible morning, he came in from the garden and promptly lost footing with his back legs. He wouldn't settle and was struggling to walk (our wooden floors didn't help)

Bob is a 13 and a half (the half matters ) Westie, he's a bit blind in one eye and stone deaf. His breath stinks, his coat gets greasy quickly and he's quite lazy. All things to be expected at his age.
The vet has examined him and said he has muscle wastage on his back legs due to arthritis, a heart murmur, emphysema and his bladder is a bit on the large side, which may or may not be anything sinister but at his age they are reluctant to put him through any procedures unless I specifically want it (which I don't)
He's been prescribed Tramadol for now and arrived home and promptly had a mad 5 (albeit a slower mad 5 than usual).

I know we are at the beginning of the end with the old guy, and should he show any signs of pain then I will let him go, but for now he's happy to stretch out with me on the sofa and plod on.

I've ordered him some gripper socks to help with the floors (currently have rugs scattered everywhere to help him, my entire home looks like an explosion in Ikea's textile dept).

I lost my other dog at 9 to Liver Disease so this is my first experience in trying to keep an old man happy in his twilight years. Does anyone have any tips for me?

Artytarty

Oh dear! the grip socks are a good idea! is it worth traumatising him by brushing his teeth? Probs not. It's a very difficult stage, I know. Is his hair well trimmed around his eyes.?tif not, it can be annoying. I'd say just give him lots of love as of course you would anyhow! Sorry not to have more practical ideas.

pulliptears

Artytarty wrote: »

Oh dear! the grip socks are a good idea! is it worth traumatising him by brushing his teeth? Probs not. It's a very difficult stage, I know. Is his hair well trimmed around his eyes.?tif not, it can be annoying. I'd say just give him lots of love as of course you would anyhow! Sorry not to have more practical ideas.

He's not keen on teeth brushing at all, and whilst it was worth the fight more recently it's really been not worth the stress. He has a dentastick and the occasional hedgehog chew to try and descale a bit.
He's usually cut every 10 weeks or so but his fur is growing slowly now and gets greasy quite quickly. He's due at the groomers in 2 weeks and I'll probably keep that appointment so she can trim up his nails etc. She's very good with older dogs.

I wish when I replaced all the carpets I'd considered my old man would struggle on floors though.

I was thinking of getting him a heat mat for his bed at night, does anyone have one or could recommend one?

Artytarty

I used to use a Luke warm hot water bottle for my old lab.that rubbery meal that stops mats from slipping has helped us in the past on sloppy floors but with the rip socks coming you might not need it.

Merry_Wanderer

Cuddles on the sofa and nice dinners, that kept my oldie happy. Peace and quiet, having me around him, and not letting the kids who visit bother him. He still walked alot up until he was 13 - if I could change one thing it would be not to be so strict about him going for his walks daily when he didn't want to. - physically he was fit, but he often just wanted to toilet in the garden. I'm sure you're doing all what he needs and wants already.

meritaten

You will 'know' - like many of us it may be a little later than a vet would advise.............but, It will hit you that you are keeping the poor thing alive for your own selfish reasons. I have done that, been there and with each pet I hope that I have recognised the signs earlier each time.
When a pet isn't in pain its much harder to know 'when to let them go' - I think its when you think 'should I have done it already'?

bugslet

Nothing to add really, I have just adapted to them slowing down, noticing when shorter walks are better to the point when it's a constitutional and then a potter in the garden. Watch if he is trying to get warmer or if he is happy getting away from heat to a cooler spot and just be accomodating really.

Usually they seem to want more cuddles in their last few months as well, maybe it's thea soothing action of being stroked that eases their old bones.

Merry_Wanderer

Also, we would leave nightlights on in the house for my oldie as he used to walk around in the middle of the night.

chucknorris

Artytarty wrote: »

is it worth traumatising him by brushing his teeth? Probs not.

Our last dog Mills loved chicken flavoured toothpaste, mind it was a bit of a contest between me brushing his teeth and him licking the brush, but there certainly wasn't any trauma, he loved it.

pulliptears

Oh believe me I've tried flavoured toothpaste, he's less than impressed. I don't really want to stress him any more than needs be now.

He had a warm bath last night which rallied him a bit and we had the usual mad half hour on the rug. Woke up this morning a little stiff but he's pulled it together quite quickly and he had a dry night so I'm wondering if he did have a bit of a bladder infection.
He seems a lot happier today, a lot more willing to move and weight bear.

He made me laugh last night, until the last 6 months his most favourite place in the world was perched on the back of the sofa because A)It was above the radiator so was warm and B)He could see out of the window if he turns around. He stopped jumping up there. Of course now I realise it was because he simply couldn't jump up there with the pain.
DD was sat with me last night when he suddenly scrambled up into position, curled up like this and fell fast asleep...



I'm hoping the painkillers have made that small difference for him

begley

Aw, he's lovely. Fingers crossed the pain killers keep him comfy, bless him. You could try some natural yoghurt for his stinky breath - apparently a dollop on their food is supposed to help. I keep meaning to try it, Jake has the breath of satan!

When my old dog (who lasted until she was 22 and a half!) was 'getting on a bit' the vet said to only give her chicken based meals as it's kinder on their tummies. I did this, but her favourite food was always Chinese takeaway and cheeseburger happy meals - so who knows which helped her to live as long as she did!!

*edited to add that neither she or I ate Chinese takeaway or MaccyD's very often*!!