anitablaze

Anyone who knows anythng about dogs really. Long story short, I couldnt afford my dog while I was in between jobs. A family friend took care of him, and in the past 8 months he has gone SO far downhill. He's getting old and he's a German Shepherd. His hips are starting to give out (or maybe his knees cause his hips actually seem pretty sturdy). Now whenever he gets up from lying or sitting he'll falter and sometimes when hes just standing he'll kind of fall into a sit. Anyways, I just got him back the other night and took him for a 45 minute walk (which used to be totally normal for him. We'd go for 2 hour walks at night in the summer) When we got home I realized his back nails were worn down till they were bloody! It made me feel really bad. I watched him walk when he went outside this morning and he drags his back feet. I know he needs to be put down. Theres no way I can watching him start to get so bad he drags his back legs. But I can't afford it RIGHT now, and I just got him back last night.. I want to spend a couple more days with him. Since he never wimpers or seems like he is in pain, I'm pretty confident it's not a problem to wait till my next paycheck. But is there anyway I can make things more comfortable for the old boy? I feel really bad for him =[

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Kompressor

Just spend as much time as you can with him before you have to let him go.

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

Dantastic

Dogs have it instilled in them to not show their pack leader pain, hes being strong to not show weakness.

The longer you let this go on, the longer he suffers.

If you cant put him down, someones got a gun.

If that sounds harsh, why dont you let me break your legs and hips, then file your nails down till they bleed and let you suffer because I cant bear to see you gone.

Sorry but the Dog doesn't deserve to suffer like this because its in his nature to not show suffering and because you cant get over your selfishness of having a companion.

If you think putting a down down in a vet is more humane than shooting it, you obviously dont understand how putting a dog down works.

I simply cant believe you would even consider letting this dog suffer more because of your money troubles....seriousl y....

my_scatterheart

Rubdowns and a baby aspirin once a day when he seems his worst. sorry
and treats!

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Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

Dantastic

hey scatter, since your practicing to be a nurse, next time one of your patients needs a hip replacement give him and asprin and a rub down and a treat and tell him to go home.

SageTree

My sis uses baby aspirins on my dog that she adopted when I moved. It really helps Betsy out. Good recommendation Scatter.

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Kompressor

Hey Dan, since you have no medical/veterinary experience at all how about you recommend killing out of compassion?

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

Dantastic

Because I dont believe in torturing animals because people are to stupid and selfish to know when they've had it.

I have had vet experience, so why dont you back up before you're out of your depth.

Its in an animals nature to not show suffering, this dog could be begging to die everyday.

my_scatterheart

Uh, you are really dumb sometimes. My dog has bad hips and aspirin helps make things more fluid for him. Her dog is on his way out, and she's just trying to make him a little more comfortable for the next few days. Being a prick doesn't help anyone's situation. But continue to, if it makes you feel like a badass.

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Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

Kompressor

Then you should know aspirin is quite affective on Canines, Mr. Depth.

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

Dantastic

Then you should know that its selfish to continue to pump a dog full of toxic asprin to keep it alive so you dont have to be sad.

Im being a prick because shes torturing a dog.

Kompressor

toxic?

I suppose it'll be humane to kill you instead of treating it when your hips go bad.

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

my_scatterheart

A baby aspirin isn't pumping a dog full of anything. A baby aspirin, especially for a dog of that size, is minuscule.

Selfishness? What is selfish is to talk to someone who is grieving like you are.

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Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

Dantastic

sorry i was thinking of apap

and dont get me wrong, losing a pet sucks, I just dont see the point of making the dog suffer so she can have a few more days with a dog thats in pain.

thats being selfish, im just being real. if you cant see the difference then you're the one whos dumb.

anitablaze

im gonna be a little more selfish and say your annoying the fuck outta me dude, and since im in so much suffering knowing about your existance i opt someone shoots you, or hits you with a car, maybe take a hammer to your skull instead of giving you a peaceful needle.

I do know what the process is to euthanize an animal, I've done it twice before. It was sad, but quite humane. Also, I know my dog. I love the boy, but he's totally a pussy. I know he isn't in any crazy pain, though baby aspirin might be a good idea for stiffness. Thanks scatter & sage

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my_scatterheart

You can be real and state your opinion without being rude. Well, I don't know if you can, but others can.

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Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

SageTree

Our vet TOLD us to give aspirin to the Dog... said it was cheaper than buying the vet version, which is only different because the vet prescribes it instead of an Md.... so there IS no difference.

Consider this hospice care my friend. Helping out a buddy is a good thing.

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Kompressor

Did it ever occur to you that the dog might want to live, just like all life on earth, despite the pain he may be in?

Or are you comfortable playing God and deciding the fate of others?

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

SageTree

And that would ironically be this thread.... And we know not that playing god is blasphemous...duh...

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Cerebro

i'd recommend a half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into his drinking water, empty it each day to make sure it doesn't accumulate
it will be more of a long term solution
the aspirin is a good idea, it wont take as long to be effective

that dog went for a 45min walk
there's a reasonable chance a little treatment will see that improve to 1hr etc
obviously you have to get his feet working again
if you've seen an Occupation Therapist in action that would help
try to work his range of motion in his feet, then knees, then gently on the hips
watch his eyes, you'll see pain, back off etc
the aspirin will get in there
once he's lifting his feet he can walk and recover

he might not manage it, obviously
but i've seen it happen
and would recommend that as a reasonable approach

consider also that if his feet have shut down he would only be getting vague nrve response from there, so he wouldn't be acutely aware of the pain
otherwise, you'd know

chill hun

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