Thursday, July 17, 2014

LAME DOG

You aren't supposed to have favorites; children or dogs.  I had only one child, so I was safe there.  But with three dogs, the fact of the matter is that I do have a favorite: Wilson. He follows me around.  He stares at me.  He looks for me and seems to be the happiest to see me when I get home.
A few weeks ago he seemed a bit lame and stiff one evening when he greeted me after work.  He was limping on his right front leg and his left rear leg.  By morning he was fine.  No vet trip needed.

That happened again last week.  Friday he was lame and stiff but able to go for the walk, chase the cyclists passing the house (we have a fenced in yard; cyclists safe) and sniff for the chippies. Saturday he would get up and move around, but was clearly hurting.  Sunday he did not move.  I hand fed him breakfast, brought a water bowl to him and worried.  I wondered if he had Lyme.
Monday he was better.  Not great, but able to run, pee, poop, eat, drink and he seemed fine.  He went to the vet anyway.  No Lyme.  Maybe arthritis or a bad back.  We got some 4 dollar a pill Doggie Motrin.

"Give it to him daily and follow up in two weeks."

Right. At 4 dollars a pill, 120 dollars a month and 1440 a year  I thought observation was in order.  He seemed fine Tuesday morning but by the evening he gave me that look and laid down in the pain position.

A few hours after I gave him the pill (with food, he didn't mind getting some more supper.  Frannie and Wrigley joined right in) he was better.  Much better.  So much better that he rubbed his face on the rug, rolled over on his back and wiggled all around.

Steven and I decided that every 36 hours was a good compromise.  I also figured that an online supplier might be less expensive.

So now, as with all things dogs and babies, we wait and see.


21 comments:

  1. Awww, Wilson. What a beautiful dog. Is he a Labradoodle? There's definitely a poodle in there somewhere -- so much intelligence in those eyes. Get well soon.

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    1. Wilson is a pure bred Standard Poodle. He has an original poodle cut, designed by his human.

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  2. Having had numerous elderly cats & dogs requiring different and sometimes expensive meds, I recommend checking out KV Supply. They have quite a few prescription meds available (but not everything) at wholesale prices. You do need your vet to fax over an original prescriptions - directions are on their website. They are better & less exp+ensive that 1-800 Pet Meds. Good Luck.

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    1. Also try Drs. Foster and Smith, their prices are great and so is their customer service. Had my very senior dog on Rymadal and was able to get here for 1/3 the price of the vet. Unfortunately only 2 weeks after receiving a 3 month supply, her tumor decided to go crazy and she succumbed to her cancer on June 5th.

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    2. I am so sorry about your dog. We love them dearly. The best we can do is learn to live without them.

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  3. Wilson sounds like a great dog. How old is he? I will keep good thoughts.

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  4. Poor doggie. Glad something helped him. Ask your vet if there is a people medicine substitute. Children's Motrin?

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    1. I have been told that Motrin is toxic to dogs.

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  5. Really sorry to hear, poor Wilson!! Good thing he's got a good 'mom'.

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  6. Poor Wilson. We have an old dog on a daily pill (cheap though). So easy to administer in a little section of hot dog (the other dogs get a piece too, so everyone loves med time).

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    1. He chomps it right down. Beef flavored. I will, for sure, pick ups some hot dogs when I am at the store.

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  7. Poor Wilson. A local pharmacy took a script for one of my cats once, much less expensive than Vet supplied meds. Hope you find something for him.

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  8. Your Wilson is beautiful

    We have a Portuguese Water Dog, Dylan, who loads of people think is a Labradoddle. They do have Poodle in their ancestry. I do hope Wilson is much better soon and enjoying life. 10 is an age when they do start to get aches and pains just like their human companions!

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  9. Isn't it amazing how well a dog responds to a "doggie Advil", Love that face you can see his love for you in his eyes!

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  10. Try enteric coated aspirin. Most dogs can take it, just not regular asprin - it's too rough on their tummies.

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    1. Thanks. I did try enteric coated aspirin. I noticed no difference.

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  11. Aaaawww, Wilson is so magnificent looking how could I not succumb to love at first sight? He's a most lucky fella to have such caring humans. I wish you all the best. Please pet Wilson for me,

    Pam

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  12. Be sure your vet ran a FULL tick panel. There is a new tick nasty upstate NY and New England this year!

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