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Well, as I have been posting on MC, Sassy has been having some health issues of her own too. A few years ago she was having some urinary leakage, nothing big, just minor and has been on Proin ever since, one tablet a day. She's going on 12 and a half now. Last fall she started having problems with her left hip/leg and was limping a lot, can't do stairs etc. Check at vet (chiropractic vet) revealed deteriorating nerve/muscles in her hip area. So I got some Joint Care from Drs. Foster and Smith which have helped a lot. No more limp much at all and she's moving around better. She has had a few other problems too and a blood test revealed one of her liver enzymes was high. So on a prescription of Actigall for that. Last test showed it back in the normal range, but others are flunctuating a bit, all in normal range though. A couple were in the low normal range. Lately she's been off her food, especially this week. She's lost weight and is sleeping a lot anymore. I've tried all kinds of things to get her to eat her food, but to no avail. I can get her to eat some people food, so she's not completely starving. Trip to vet on Thursday, showed her vital signs are all good, so we are thinking pain issues from Osteoarthritis. On Rimadyl at the moment for 5 days. Rimadyl and Proin are not really supposed to be given together for long periods.

But I don't think that's all the issue. She stil isn't interested in her food. Did eat some new kind I gave her last night, but only so much. So looks like we will be returning to the vet on Monday like he instructed me if she doesn't eat. My thoughts are two fold. She has upset tummy from all this meds stuff and isn't interested in eating and also I think her quality of life is starting to go down. She is on the downhill side of her doggie life at this age anyway. So we shall see what happens in the next two days. I won't put her through meds and what not just to keep her going. Might be time to let her go to the Rainbow Bridge and join Tessa perhaps. We shall see.

I am so very sorry. I really thought she would be eating again by now. I hope the vet has some better ideas on Monday!

It hurts so much to see them like this. Hang in there.

Sue, so sorry to hear this! Our animals let us know sometimes when they are tired and don't want to continue. Hopefully, tho, this is just a tummy issue at this point.

Will be praying for her! Let us know what happens this weekend!

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Sue, I'm so sorry you have to go through this - it's so very difficult.
Hugs.
We have no doubt you'll do what's best for her.
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Hugs for you and Sassy

My prayers for you and Sassy. Its so hard when they get older. My Sassy was on Proin her entire life. I tried Rymidol (sp) on Buddy but seem to remember had to take him off it because of some bad side effects. Check it out on line - might be the cause of her stomach upset.

So sorry about Sassy. My Krissi just had ther 15th birthday. She's a cockapoo. I know her teeth aren't great but don't want to subject her to general anesthesia to get them cleaned and some extractions. I've always given her dry food and lately she wouldn't eat. She would eat soft treats though. I decided to get some prepared beef entrées to add a couple spoonfuls to the dry food then added a little hot water to soften up the dry food. I couldn't believe the difference in her attitude and also my other dog's. They go crazy while I'm mixing it all together, bark, run down the stairs barking to the garage where they eat, and gobble it up as fast as they can. I think it was a combination of boredom over the dry food and the addition of the beef entrées and warm water to make the dry food softer and more tasty. Do you think anything like that might help with Sassy?
Sandi

Sue,

As Carolb mentioned I tried everything to get Sierra (my 16-year old german shepherd) to eat - every kind of soft & expensive dog food I could find - even had the vet appointment to help her cross over the rainbow bridge the next day. Decided to see if she'd eat some left over roast beef (I never give my dogs people food) her final afternoon. She surprised us by sleeping thru the night, went potty on schedule the next morning & came to the kitchen with her tail wagging. We cancelled the vet visit. I kept her on a total meat diet (mostly chicken and turkey) for the next year!

Since Sassy has other conditions I don't know how this would affect her or even if she'd go for it. Like the others have said - sometimes they know when they're just tired. Anyway, I thought I'd mention it - just in case.

Loving thoughts headed you way - wishing you both the best.
Take care,
Catherine

Sorry that Sassy isn't doing so well. When Toby went off his food I made dog food at home. He loves it and that's all he eats now.

Here is the link to the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/homemade-dog-food/

When I asked the vet about it, his comment was that he was coming over to eat with Toby


((((((HUGS)))))))

I'm sorry to hear Sassy hasn't been improving. By working with the Vet and listening to your heart, you'll know what's best for her in making decisions.

I heard about a guy who kept his old dog going for a year on White Castle hamburgers after he stopped eating his dog food! Whatever it takes!

Oh, Sue I'm so sorry you are having to go through this with Sassy. I wish I was closer to help you. Some good advice given here, I will only add that when my Jess was older I fed her cooked,drained hamburger and rice with sometimes some green beens. I too, tried every type of canned dog food and she turned them all down. Also, ask you vet if you can use gabapentin instead of rymadil. My Molly is on pred and can't take any pain meds but can take gabapentin and it helps her when she's overdone it. I have to agree, I think it's causing Sassy to have an upset tummy. Sending prayers and good thoughts and hugs your way.

I'm sending lots of hugs to you Sue and to Sassy, too.

went and looked at the recipe and of course read some of the comments...most good some not all with other ideas..
one thing that was mentioned was adding yogurt to the diet and that reminded me that I'd heard that so might give it a try. Also in the
past I've heard that unseasoned canned pumpkin is good for the dogs..
I noticed that some said garlic was good for the diet of a dog others emphatically said no to garlic ....so which is right?
I have often thought of giving Shadow a home made diet but then thought the dried food is easier ....
Hopefully Sassy is doing better
sheila